
Class __t- 

mcMIJLl 



( 

THE 



HISTORY 



• 



OF 



NODAWAY COUNTY, 



MISSOURI 



CONTAINING 



A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, ITS CITIES, TOWNS, ETC., 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS CITIZENS, NODAWAY COUNTY IN THE LATE WAR, 

GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS 

AND PROMINENT MEN, HISTORY OF MISSOURI, MAP 

OF NODAWAY COUNTY, ETC., ETC. 






ILLUSTRATED. 



eV ST. JOSEPH, MO.: 

COl\ "TONAL HISTORICAL COMPANY 

Of OD l882 - 



\ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in tie year 1882, by 

O. P. WILLIAMS & CO., 

in the Office of the Librarian of Cong: ess, at Washington, D. C. 



s 



fe O-O 



ST. JOSEPH, MO.: 

St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc. 

1882. 



PREFACE. 



is— !$£i— <?y 



What wonderful changes a few years have wrought in Northwest 
Missouri ! Less than forty-five years ago not a single white man dwelt 
within the present limits of Nodaway County. Its soil had, doubtless, 
occasionally been pressed by the feet of the reckless hunter and daring 
adventurer, but its beautiful rolling prairies, its charming timber-fringed 
streams and enchanting groves, were the homes of the antelope, the elk, 
the buffalo and the red man. How all has been changed by the hand 
of progress! To-day the busy hum of industry everywhere resounds* 
and the voice of culture and refinement echo where once was heard the 
howl of the wild beast and the war-whoop of the Indian. These have 
been years fraught with important events to the sons and daughters 
from the old firesides of Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio and Indi- 
ana, and from the more distant homes beyond the Atlantic. The energy 
and bravery of these hardy pioneers, and their descendants, have made 
Nodaway County what it is. Their labors have made the wilderness 
" to bud and blossom as the rose," and, to preserve the story of this won- 
derful change, and to hand it down to posterity as a link in the history 
of the great state of which Nodaway County forms an integral part, has 
been the object of this book. 

While the publishers do not arrogate to themselves a degree of 
accuracy beyond criticism, they hope to have attained a large measure 
of exactness in the compilation and arrangement of the almost innu- 
merable incidents which are here treated. These incidents have been 
gleaned from the memory and notes of the old settlers, and although an 
error may seemingly occur, here and there, the reader must not hastily 
conclude that the history is in fault, but rather test his opinion with that 
of others familiar with the facts. Among those whom we would espc- 



iv PREFACE. 

cially mention as having greatly assisted us in the preparation of this 
history are : John Edwards and W. W. Ramsay, Esq.'s. To the pen of 
the former we are indebted for the article entitled " Assassination of 
Nicholas Leehmer," and to the latter we are indebted for the article on 
" Political History." Also, to Hon. Lafe Dawson, the press, county 
officials, and others. 

It only remains for us to tender the people of Nodaway County in 
general our thanks for the many courtesies extended to us and our 
representatives during the preparation of these annals ; without their 
friendly aid this history would have been left beneath the debris of time, 

unwritten, and unpreserved. # 

THE PUBLISHERS. 




^4£ O N T E N T SJd«-* 



Dc «§»—§< 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



CHAPTER I. 

LOUISIANA PURCHASE— 
Brief Historical Sketch. 



Page. 



CHAPTER II. 

DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL- 
Name — Extent— Surface — Rivers- 
Timber — Climate— Prairies — Soils — 
Population by Counties 14 

CHAPTER III. 

GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI- 

Classification of Rocks — Quaternary 
Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceous — 
Carboniferous — Devonian — Silurian 
— Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal 
— Iron — Lead — Copper- Zinc— Build- 
ing Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime 
Paints— Springs — Water Power . . 20 

CHAPTER IV. 

TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS- 
Title to Missouri Lands— Right of 
Discovery — Title of France and Spain 
— Cession to the United States— Ter- 
ritorial Changes — Treaties with In- 
dians—First Settlement — Ste. Gene- 
vieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis — 
When Incorporated — Potosi — St. 
Charles— Portage Des Sioux — New 
Madrid — St. Francois County — Perry 

— Mississippi — Loutre Island — 
"Boone's Lick" — Cote Sans Dessein 
— Howard County--Some First Things 

— Counties — When Organized ... 26 

CHAPTER V. 

TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION— 

Organization 1812 — Council — House 
of Representatives — Wm. Clark First 
Territorial Governor — Edward Hemp- 
stead First Delegate — Spanish Grants 
— First General Assembly — Proceed- 
ings — Second Assembly— Proceedings 

— Population of Territory — Vote of 
Territory — Rufus Easton — Absent 
Members — Third Assembly- Proceed- 
ings — Application for Admission . . 32 



CHAPTER VI. 



Page. 



MISSOURI ADMITTED INTO THE UNION— 
Application of Missouri to be Admit- 
ted Into the Union — Agitation of the 
Slavery Question-"Missouri Compro- 
mise" — Constitutional Convention of 
1820— Constitution Presented to Con- 
gress — Further Resistance to Admis- 
sion — Mr. Clay and his Committee 
Make Report — Second Compromise — 
Missouri Admitted 55 

CHAPTER VII. 

MISSOURI AS A STATE— 

First Election for Governor and Other 
State Officers — Senators and Repre- 
sentatives to General Assembly-Sher- 
iffs and Coroners— United States Sena- 
tors — Representatives in Congress-Su- 
preme Court Judges— Counties Organ- 
ized — Capital Moved to St. Charles — 
Official Record of Territorial and 
State Officers 40 

CHAPTER VIII. 

EARLY MILITARY RECORD— 

Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficul- 
ties — Florida War — Mexican War. . 46 

CHAPTER IX. 

CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI— 

Fort Sumpter Fired Upon — Call for 
75,000 Men — Gov. Jackson Refuses to 
Furnish a Man — U.S. Arsenal at Lib- 
erty Seized — Proclamation of Gov. 
Jackson — General Order No. 7 — Leg- 
islature Convenes — Camp Jackson 
Organized — Sterling Price Appointed 
Major General — Frost's Letter to 
Lyon — Lyon's Letter to Frost — Sur- 
render of Camp Jackson — Proclama- 
tion of Gen. Harney — Conference 
Between Price and Harney — Harney , 
Superceded by Lyon — Second Confer- 
ence — Governor Jackson Burns the 
Bridges Behind Him— Proclamation 
of Gov. Jackson — Gen. Blair Takes 
Possession of Jefferson City — Procla- 
mation of Lyon — Lyon at Springfield 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
— State Offices Declared Vacant — 
Gen. Fremont Assumes Command — 
Proclamation of Lieut. Gov. Rey- 
nolds — Proclamation of Jeff. Thomp- 
son and Gov. Jackson — Death of Gen. 
Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis- Procla- 
mation of McCullough and Gamble 
— Martial Law Declared — Second 
Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson — 
President Modifies Fremont's Order — 
Fremont Relieved by Hunter — Proc- 
lamation of Price— Hunter's Order 
of Assessment — Hunter Declares 
Martial Law — Order Relating to 
Newspapers — Halleck Succeeds Hun- 
ter — Halleck's Order Si — Similar Or- 
der by Halleck — Boone County 
Standard Confiscated — Execution of 
Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — 
Gen. Ewing's Order No. II — Gen. 
Rosecrans Takes Command—Massa- 
cre at Centralia — Death of Bill An- 
derson — Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen. 
Rosecrans — List of Battles .... 51 

CHAPTER X. 

AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH— 
Missouri as an Agricultural State — 
The Different Crops — Live Stock — 
Horses and Mules — Milch Cows — 
Oxen and Other Cattle- Sheep— Hogs 
— Comparisons^ — Missouri Adapted to 
Live Stock — Cotton — Broom Corn 
and Other Products — Fruits — Berries 



Page 
— Grapes — Railroads — First Neigh of 
the " Iron Horse " in Missouri — 
Names of Railroads — Manufactures — 
Great Bridge ac St. Louis 60 

CHAPTER XL 

EDUCATION— 

Public School System — Public School 
System of Missouri — Lincoln Insti- 
tute — Officers of Public School Sys- 
tem — Certificates of Teachers — Uni- 
versity of Missouri — Schools — Col- 
leges — Institutions of Learning — Lo- 
cation — Libraries — Newspapers and 
Periodicals — Number of School 
Children — Amount Expended — Value 
of Grounds and Buildings — " The 
Press " 66 

CHAPTER XII. 

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS- 

Baptist Church — Its History — Congre- 
gational — When Founded — Its His- 
tory — Christian Church — Its History 
— Cumberland Presbyterian Church — 
Its History — Methodist Episcopal 
Church — Its History — Presbyterian 
Church — Its History — Protestant 
Episcopal Church — Its History — 
United Presbyterian Church — Its 
History— Unitarian Church — Its His- 
tory — Roman Catholic Church — Its 
History , . . . 73 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

FREFATORY- 

Plan and Scope of this Work ... 79 

CHAPTER II. 

PLATTE PURCHASE— 

The Platte Country — Correspondence 
in Reference Thereto — Meeting at 
Liberty, Missouri — Its Object — Me- 
morial — Efforts of Benton and Linn 
— Treaty with the loways, Sacs and 
Fox Indians 86 

CHAPTER III. 
PHYSICAL FEATURES— 

Boundary — Location — Surface — 
.Streams — Timber — Health and Cli- 
mate — Rainfall — Prairie 54 

CHAPTER IV. 
GEOLOGY OF NODAWAY COUNTY- 

IOI 

CHAPTER V. 
FIRST SETTLEMENTS- 

Importance of First Beginnings — 
When and where Commenced. . . 1 13 
CHAPTER VI. 
PIONEER LIFE- 

The Pioneers' Peculiarities — Conven- 
iences and Inconveniences — The His- 



torical Log Cabin — Agricultural Im- 
plements — Household Furniture — 
Pioneer Corn-bread — Hand Mills and 
Hominy Blocks — Going to Mill — 
Trading Points — Bee-Trees — Shoot- 
ing Matches and Quiltings 119 

CHAPTER VII. 

NODAWAY COUNTY ORGANIZED— 

Legislative Enactments — First County 
Court — Proceedings of the First Court 
— First Records — Deeds and Mortga- 
ges — First Circuit Court — First Cases 
— Early Marriages — Number of Mar- 
riages for 1845 — Number of Mar- 
riages for 1880 130 

CHAPTER VIII. 

COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM— 

i.uYERNMENT SURVEY'S -ORGANI- 
ZATION OF TOWNSHIPS— 



I42 



CHAPTER IX. 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP— 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Clearmont — Business 
Directory — Churches — Secret Orders 150 



CONTENTS. 



Vll 



Page. 
CHAPTER X. 
GRANT TOWNSHIP - 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — Its 
Early Settlers — Barnard — Official and 
Business Directory — Churches — Se- 
cret Orders-- Prairie Park 159 

CHAPTER XL 

GREEN TOWNSHIP- 

Its Boundary — Physical Features--- 
Early Settlers--- Quitman- -Churches 
—Secret Orders---Business Directory 
--Fairview 166 

CHAPTER XII. 
HOPKINS TOWNSHIP— 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Hopkins — Schools — 
Churches — Secret Orders — Hopkins 
Town Company — Cornet Band . . . 174 

CHAPTER XIII. 
HUGHES TOWNSHIP- 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Setders — Churches — Patrons of 
Husbandry— Graham — Business Di- 
rectory— Secret Orders 191 

CHAPTER XIV. 

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP— 

Boundaries of Independence Town- 
ship — Physical Features — Early Set- 
tlers — Pioneer Corn Mill — Early Trap- 
pers — Indian Pow-wow — GaynorCity 209 

CHAPTER XV. 
JACKSON TOWNSHIP— 

Boundaries of Jackson Township — 
Orders of Court Establishing the 
Township — Physical Features — The 
First Settlers — An Honored Pioneer 
— Sweet Home — Sketch of Buildings 
Erected — School — First Marriage — 
Business Directory . , 217 

CHAPTER XVI. 

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP— 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — The Reading Colony- 
Conception — Churches — Business Di- 
rectory — New Conception — Business 
Directory 224 

CHAPTER XVII. 

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP- 

Its Boundary— Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Dawson — Schools — 
Business Directory — Churches — Elmo 
— Business Directory 232 

CHAPTER XVIII. • 

MONROE TOWNSHIP- 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Skidmore — Business 
Directory — Churches 243 

CHAPTER XIX. 

NODAWAY TOWNSHIP— 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Ohio Settlement — 



Page. 
Burlington Junction — Official and Bus- 
iness Directory — Churches — Secret 
Orders — Roseberry 249 

CHAPTER XX. 

POLK TOWNSHIP— 

Organization and Boundary — Physical 
Features — Early Settlers — Town of 
Wilcox — Business Directory — Platt- 
ing of Maryville — Additions — Mary- 
ville — First Settlers' — Pioneer Business 
Men — Private Schools — Academies — 
Public Schools — Maryville Business 
College — Secret Orders — Benevolent 
Societies — Churches — Banks and 
Bankers — Newspapers — Fire Depart- 
ment — Cemeteries Town Officers — 
Maryville as it is — Business Directory 

— Postmasters 259 

CHAPTER XXI. 

UNION TOWNSHIP- 

lts Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Pickering — Churches 
— Secret Orders 309 

CHAPTER XXII. 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP- 

Its Boundary — Physical Features — 
Early Settlers — Carterville — Guilford 
— Schools — Churches — Secret Orders 

— Business Directory 315 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP— 

lis Boundary — Physical Features — 
Farly Settlers and Settlements — 
Bridgewater — Arkoe — Business Di- 
rectory 322 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS- 

The Old Log Court House— Second 
and Present Court Houses— Jails — 
County Poor Farm 329 

CHAPTER XXV. 

CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT- 

Flattering Accounts — Names of Men 
Who went from Nodaway County — 
California Enterprise Company— Ad- 
dress of Colonel Black — Letters — 
California Emigrant Song— Cholera 
—Number of Emigrants 339 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
CHRONICLES OF THE WEST- 



347 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

BENCH AND BAR- 

William B. Almond— James M. Dews 
Samuel D. McEnery— Henry L. War- 
ren—Matthew G. Roseberry— Henry 
M. Vories- James B. Gardenhire— 



Vlll 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
Willard P. Hall — Solomon L. Leon- 
ard — Silas Woodson — J. M. Bassett — 
Benj. F. Loan — Berryman K. Davis 
— John Edwards — W. W. Ramsay — 
Lafayette Dawson — Cyrus A. Antho- 
ny — Jefl. Chandler — Henry S. Kel- 
ley— I. V. McMillan— S. R. Beech . . 360 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
CRIMES— TRIALS— 

Trial of Solomon McAlpin — Tansey 
Tragedy — The Assassination of Nich- 
olas Leehmer — A Remarkable Case of 
Infanticide — The Hogan Homicide 
and Otto Sharp Trial— The Talbott 

Boys / . 430 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Centennial Address, by Dr. H. E. 
Robinson — Old Settlers to whom Pri- 
zes were presented at Burlington 
Junction, 1880 — Presentation of Pri- 
zes at Fair of 1881 — Hon. Lafe Daw- 
son's Address 430 

CHAPTER XXX. 
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS— 

Grain — Stock — Fruit and Grapes — 



Page. 
Nodaway County Agricultural and 
Mechanical Society— When Organized 
— Its officers and Directors — Last 
Fair — Premium List 443 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

RAILROADS— 

The Kansas City, Saint Joseph & 
Council Bluffs Railroad — The Wa- 
bash, Saint Louis & Pacific Railroad. 464 

CHAPTER XXXII. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. EARLY CHURCHES 
AND MINISTERS— 



471 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY 
OF NODAWAY COUNTY— 



482 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



TORNADOES— 

A Destructive Tornado- -The Hop- 
kins Tornado— Laws Governing their 
Movements 502 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



Page. 

Lincoln Township 517 

Atchison Township 561 

Hopkins Township 586 

Independence Township 643 

Union Township 661 

Nodaway Township 686 

Polk Township and City of Maryville 717 

Green Township S63 

Jackson Township S87 



Page. 

Jefferson Township 905 

Washington Township 914 

Grant Township 925 

Hughes Township 945 

White Cloud Township 985 

Monroe Township 1005 

Maitland 1030 

Addendum — City of Maryville . . . 1033 



LITHOGRA PHIC POR TRA ITS. 



Amos Graham 272 

Nodaway County Court House .. . . 336 

John Edwards . . . , 380 

Edward S. Stephenson 573 



M. B. W. Harman 672 

Joseph Jackson. 785 

Rufus Smith 826 





MM' 



WMk&SYSX C<€>€lOTT. 




History of Missouri. 



CHAPTER I. 
LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 

BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH. 

The purchase of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, by 
the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and 
south to the dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event 
that ever occurred in the history of the nation. 

It gave to our republic additional roo-m for that expansion and stu- 
pendous growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it 
strong and enduring, and forms the seat of an empire, from which will 
radiate an influence for good unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763, 
one hundred and eighteen years ago, the immense region of country, 
known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to Spain by France. By a 
secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 1800, Spain 
ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island of 
St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more 
especially because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military 
point of view, afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effec- 
tively guard his newly acquired possessions. Hence he desired this 
cession by Spain should be kept a profound secret until he succeeded in 
reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this undertaking, however, 
his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he 
apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France 
from his purchase of Louisiana. 

In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the 
people of Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had 
once more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of 
great rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their 
origin, habits, manners and customs. 



IO HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in- 
formed of the retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to 
Robert Livingston, the American Minister at Paris, to make known to 
Napoleon that the occupancy of New Orleans, by his government, 
would not only endanger the friendly relations existing between the two 
nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make common cause 
with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy, as the possession 
of the city by France would give her command of the Mississippi, which 
was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her 
also control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of 
American commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the 
idea that the occupancy of New Orleans, by France, would bring about 
a conflict of interests between the two nations, which would finally cul- 
minate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. Livingston, to not only 
insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to negotiate for 
the purchase of the city and the surrounding country. 

The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the 
United States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power, 
to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergen- 
cies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field, Napoleon came to 
the conclusion that, as he could not well defend his occupancy of New 
Orleans, he would dispose of it, on the best terms possible. Before, 
however, taking final action in the matter, he summoned two of his min- 
isters, and addressed them as follows : 

" I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish 
to repair the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in 1763. 
I have scarcely recovered it before I run the risk of losing it ; but if I 
am obliged to give it up, it shall hereafter cost more to those who force 
me to part with it, than to those to whom I shall yield it. The English 
have despoiled France of all her northern possessions in America, and 
now they covet those of the South. I am determined that they shall not 
have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle compared to 
their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the 
vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of 
France, I am certain that their first object will be to gain possession of 
it. They will probably commence the war in that quarter. They have 
twenty vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are 
daily getting worse since the death of LeClerc. The conquest of Lou- 
isiana might be easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting 
it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an 
attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance with their 
habits ; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order to 
deprive them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the 
United States, Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. II 

possess it ; and if I wait but a short time my enemies may leave me 
nothing but an empty title to grant to the republic I wish to conciliate. 
I consider the whole colony as lost, and I believe that in the hands of 
this rising power it will be more useful to the political and even com- 
mercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. Let 
me have both your opinions on the subject." 

One of his ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the 
other opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them, 
before the conference was ended. The next day Napoleon sent for the 
minister who had agreed with him, and said to him : " The season for 
deliberation is over. I have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall 
give up not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, without reserva- 
tion. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, I have sufficiently proved, as 
the object of my first treaty with Spain was to recover it. But though I 
regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly to persist in try- 
ing to keep it. I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair with 
the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, 
but go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember, 
however, that I need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do 
not wish to commence it by levying new taxes. For the last century 
France and Spain have incurred great expense in the improvement 
of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified them. Large 
sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never been 
returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for 
these. Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this terri- 
tory to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged 
to part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I 
must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take 
less. I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine 
country." * 

That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris 
on the 1 2th of April, and the two representatives of the United States, 
after holding a private interview, announced that they were ready to 
treat for the entire territory. On the 30th of April, 1803, eighteen days 
afterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same 
year, Congress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay 
$11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal captures 
to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of 
$15,000,000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of 
France and Spain should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free 
of duty for twelve years. Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana, 
that it should be, as soon as possible, incorporated into the Union, and 
that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, privileges and immuni- 
ties as other citizens of the United States, and the clause giving to them 



12 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the 
plenipotentiaries with these words : " Make it known to the people of 
Louisiana, that we regret to part with them ; that we have stipulated for 
all the advantages they could desire ; and that France, in giving them 
up, has insured to them the greatest of all. They could never have pros- 
pered under any European government as they will when they become 
independent. But while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let them 
remember that they are French, and preserve for their mother country 
that affection which a common origin inspires." 

Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms 
of the treaty. Mr. Livingston said : " I consider that from this 
day the United States takes rank with the first powers of Europe, and 
now she has entirely escaped from the power of England," and Bonaparte 
expressed a similar sentiment when he said : " By this cession of terri- 
tory I have secured the power of the United States, and given to 
England a maritime rival, who, at some future time, will humble her 
pride." These were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward 
the British met with a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory 
of which the great Corsican had been speaking. 

From 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when it 
was purchased by the United States, no change had been made by the 
French authorities in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower Louis- 
iana, and during this period the Spanish laws remained in full force as 
the laws of the entire province ; a fact which is of interest to those who 
would understand the legal history and some of the present laws of 
Missouri 

On December 20th, 1803, Gens. Wilkinson and Claiborne, who were 
jointly commissioned to take possession of the territory for the United 
States, arrived in the city of New Orleans at the head of the American 
forces. Laussat, who had taken possession but twenty days previously 
as the prefect of the colony, gave up his command, and the star-spangled 
banner supplanted the tri-colored flag of France. The agent of France, 
to take possession of Upper Louisiana from the Spanish authorities, was 
Amos Stoddard, captain of artillery in the United States service. He 
was placed in possession of St. Louis on the 9th of March, 1804, by 
Charles Dehault Delassus, the Spanish commandant, and on the follow- 
ing day he transferred it to the United States. The authority of the 
United States in Missouri dates from this day. 

From that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi 
Valley became identified. They were troubled no more with the uncer- 
tainties of free navigation. The great river, along whose banks they 
had planted their towns and villages, now afforded them a safe and easy 
outlet to the markets of the world. Under the protecting aegis of a 
government, republican in form, and having free access to an almost 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 1 3 

boundless domain, embracing in its broad area the diversified climates of 
the globe, and possessing a soil unsurpassed for fertility, beauty of 
scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every incentive to push on 
their enterprises and build up the land wherein their lot had been cast. 

In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great empire had 
been secured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to 
come, but of its grandeur, its possibilities, its inexhaustible resources 
and the important relations it would sustain to the nation and the world, 
were never dreamed of by even Mr. Jefferson and his adroit and accom- 
plished diplomatists. 

The most ardent imagination never conceived of the progress, 
which would mark the history of the " Great West." The adventurous 
pioneer, who fifty years ago pitched his tent upon its broad prairies, or 
threaded the dark labyrinths of its lonely forests, little thought that a 
mighty tide of physical and intellectual strength would so rapidly flow 
on in his footsteps, to populate, build up and enrich the domain which 
he had conquered. 

Year .after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until 
at length the mountains, the plains, the hills and the valleys, and even 
the rocks and the caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy 
millions. 

" I beheld the westward marches 
Of the unknown crpwded nations. 
All the land was full of people, 
Restless, struggling, toiling, striving, 
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling 
But one heart beat in their bosoms. 
In the woodland rang their axes, 
Smoked their towns in all the valleys; 
Over all the lakes and rivers 
Rushed their great canoes of thunder." 

In 1804 Congress, by an act, passed in April of the same year, 
divided Louisiana into two parts, the " Territory of Orleans," and the 
"District of Louisiana," known as "Upper Louisiana." This district 
included all that portion of the old province, north of "Hope Encamp- 
ment," on the Lower Mississippi, and embraced the present State of 
Missouri, and all the western region of country to the Pacific Ocean, and 
all below the forty-ninth degree of north latitude not claimed by Spain. 

As a matter of convenience, on March 26th, 1804, Missouri was 
placed within the jurisdiction of the government of the Territory of 
Indiana, and its government put in motion by Gen. William H. Harrison, 
then governor of Indiana. In this he was assisted by Judges Griffin, 
Vanderberg and Davis, who established in St. Louis what were called 
Courts of Common Pleas. The District of Louisiana was regularly 
organized into the Territory of Louisiana by Congress, March 3d, 1805, 



14 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

and President Jefferson appointed Gen. James Wilkinson governor, and 
Frederick Bates secretary. The Legislature of the Territory was formed 
by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas. 
In 1807 Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Meriwether 
Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expe- 
dition with Clark. Governor Lewis committed suicide in 1809, and 
President Madison appointed Gen. Benjamin Howard, of Lexington, 
Kentucky, to fill his place. Gen. Howard resigned October 25, 18 10, to 
enter the war of 1812, and died in St. Louis, in 1814. Captain William 
Clark, of Lewis and Clark's expedition, was appointed governor in 18 10, 
to succeed Gen. Howard, and remained in office until the admission of 
the State into the Union. 

The portions of Missouri which were settled, for the purpose of local 
government, were divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau was the 
first, and embraced the territory between Tywappity Bottom and Apple 
Creek. Ste. Genevieve, the second, embraced the territory from Apple 
Creek to the Meramec River. St. Louis, the third, embraced the terri- 
tory between the Meramec and Missouri Rivers. St. Charles, the fourth, 
included the settled territory between the Missouri and Mississippi 
Rivers. The total population of these districts at that time was 8,670, 
including slaves. The population of the district of Louisiana, when 
ceded to the United States, was 10,120. 



CHAPTER II. 
DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. 

NAME- EXTENT— SURFACE— RIVERS— TIMBER-CLIMATE— PRAIRIES-SOILS-POPULATION 
BY COUNTIES. 

NAME. 

The name Missouri, is derived from the Indian tongue and signifies 
muddy. 

EXTENT. 

Missouri is bounded on the north by Iowa (from which it is separated 
for about thirty miles on the northeast by the DesMoines River), and on 
the east by the Mississippi River, which divides it from Illinois, Ken- 
tucky and Tennessee, and on the west by the Indian Territory, and by 
the states of Kansas and Nebraska. The state lies (with the exception 
of a small projection between the St. Francis and the Mississippi Rivers, 
which extends to 36 ), between 36 30' and 40 36' north latitude, and 
between 12 2' and 18 51' west longitude from Washington. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 15 

The extreme width of the state east and west is about 348 miles ; 
its width on its northern boundary, measured from its northwest corner 
along the Iowa line to its intersection with the DesMoines River, is about 
210 miles ; its width on its southern boundary is about 288 miles. Its 
average width is about 235 miles. 

The length of the state north and south, not including the narrow 
strip between the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, is about 282 miles. 
It is about 450 miles from its extreme northwest corner to its southeast 
corner, and from the northeast corner to the southwest corner it is about 
230 miles. These limits embrace an area of 65,350 square miles, or 
41,824,000 acres, being nearly as large as England, and the states of 
Vermont and New Hampshire. 

SURFACE. 

North of the Missouri the state is level or undulating, while the por- 
tion south of that river (the larger portion of the state) exhibits a greater 
variety of surface. In the southeastern part is an extensive marsh, 
reaching beyond the state into Arkansas. The remainder of this portion, 
between the Mississippi and Osage Rivers, is rolling and gradually rising 
into a hilly and mountainous district, forming the outskirts of the Ozark 
Mountains. 

Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast 
expanse of prairie land, which stretches away towards the Rocky Mount- 
ains. The ridges forming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and 
southwest direction, separating the waters that flow northeast into the 
Missouri from those that flow southeast into the Mississippi River. 

RIVERS. 

No state in the Union enjoys better facilities for navigation than 
Missouri. By means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along her 
entire eastern boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with the 
most northern territory and state in the Union ; with the whole valley of 
the Ohio ; with many of the Atlantic States, and with the Gulf of Mexico. 

"Ay, gather Europe's royal rivers all — 
The snow-swelled Neva, with an Empire's weight 
On her broad breast, she yet may overwhelm; 
Dark Danube, hurrying, as by foe pursued, 
Through shaggy forests and by palace walls, 
To hide its terrors in a sea of gloom ; 
The castled Rhine, whose vine-crowned waters flow, 
The fount of fable and the source of song ; 
The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths 
The loving sky seems wedded with the wave; 
The yellow Tiber, chok'd with Roman spoils, 
A dying miser shrinking 'neath his gold ; 
The Seine, where fashion glasses the fairest forms; 
And Thames that bears the riches of the world ; 



l6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Gather their waters in one ocean mass, 

Our Mississippi rolling proudly on, 

Would sweep them from its path, or swallow up, 

Like Aaron's rod, these streams of fame and song.** 

By the Missouri River she can extend her commerce to the Rocky 
Mountains, and receive in return the products which will come in the 
course of time, by its multitude of tributaries. 

The Missouri River coasts the northwest line of the state for about 
250 miles, following its windings, and then flows through the state, a lit- 
tle south of east, to its junction with the Mississippi. The Missouri 
River receives a number of tributaries within the limits of the state, the 
principal of which are the Nodaway, Platte, Loutre and Chariton from 
the north, and the Blue, Sniabar, Grand, Osage and Gasconade from the 
south. The principal tributaries of the Mississippi within the state are 
the Salt River, north, and the Meramec River, south, of the Missouri. 

The St. Francis and White Rivers, with their branches, drain the 
southeastern part of the state and pass into Arkansas. The Osage is 
navigable for steamboats for more than 275 miles. There are a vast 
number of smaller streams, such as creeks, branches and rivers, which 
water the state in all directions. 

TIMBER. 

Not more towering in their sublimity were the cedars of ancient 
Lebanon, nor more precious in their utility were the almug trees of 
Ophir, than the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms are cov- 
ered with a luxuriant growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, Cottonwood, linn, 
white and black walnut, and in fact all the varieties found in the Atlantic 
and Eastern States. In the more barren districts may be seen the white 
and pin oak, and in many places a dense growth of pine. The crab 
apple, pawpaw and persimmon are abundant, as also the hazel and pecan. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of Missouri is, in general, pleasant and salubrious. 
Like that of North America, it is changeable and subject to sudden and 
sometimes extreme changes of heat and cold ; but it is decidedly milder, 
taking the whole year through, than that of the same latitudes east of 
the mountains. While the summers are not more oppressive than they 
are in the corresponding latitudes on and near the Atlantic Coast, the 
winters are shorter, and very much milder, except during the month of 
February, and it has many days of pleasant sunshine. 

PRAIRIES. 

Missouri is a prairie state, especially that portion of it north and 
northwest of the Missouri River. These prairies, along the water 
courses, abound with the thickest and most luxurious belts of timber, 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. XJ 

while the "'rolling* prairies occupy the higher portions of the country, 
the descent generally to the forest or bottom lands being over stony 
declivities. Many of these prairies, however, exhibit a graceful, waving 
surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope and a full, rounded out- 
line, equally avoiding the unmeaning, horizontal surface and the inter- 
ruption of abrupt or angular elevations. 

These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or 
two instances they cover an area of fifty thousand acres. During the 
spring and summer they are carpeted with a velvet of green and gaily 
bedecked with flowers of various forms and hues, making a most fasci- 
nating panorama of ever changing color and loveliness. To fully appre- 
ciate their great beauty and magnitude they must be seen. 

SOIL. 

The soil of Missouri is good, and of greac agricultural capabilities, 
but the most fertile portions of the state are the river bottoms, which 
are a rich alluvium, mixed in many cases with sand, the producing qual- 
ities of which are not excelled by the prolific valley of the famous Nile. 

South of the Missouri River there is a greater variety of soil, but 
much of it is fertile, and even in the mountains and mineral districts 
there are rich valleys, and about the sources of the White, Eleven 
Points, Current and Big Black Rivers the soil, though unproductive, fur- 
nishes a valuable growth of yellow pine. 

The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the state will, by a 
system of drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the state. 

POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN 1870, 1 876, 1880. 



Adair . . . . 

Andrew . . . . 
Atchison . . . 
Audrain . . . 
"Barry .... 
Barton ... 
Bates . • . . . 
Benton . . . 
Bollinger . . 
Boone .... 
Buchanan . . 
Butler .... 
Caldwell . . . 
Callaway . . . 
Camden . . . 
Cape Girardeau 
Carroll ... 
Carter .... 
Cass .... 



1870. 


1876. 


1880. 


11,449 


13 774 


15, '90 


15,137 


14,992 


16,318 


8,440 


i°,9 2 5 


14,565 


12,307 


»5>i57 


19,739 


Io,373 


11,146 


14,424 


5.o87 


6,900 


10,332 


15,960 


17.484 


25,382 


11,322 


11 027 


12,398 


8,162 


8,884 


11,132 


20,765 


3».9 2 3 


25424 


35-I09 


38,i 6 5 


49.824 


4,298 


4,363 


6,011 


U,390 


12,200 


13.654 


19,202 


25.257 


23,670 


6,108 


7,027 


7,269 


17 558 


17891 


20,998 


17 445 


21,518 


23,3°° 


1,455 


1,549 


2, 1 63 


19,296 


18,069 


22,431 



it 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



Cedar .. , 
Chariton , . 
Christian . 
Clark . . . 
Clinton • . 
Cole . • . 
Cooper . . 
Crawford . 
Dade . . . 
Dallas . . , 
Daviess . . , 
DeKalb. . . 
Dent , . . 
Douglas . . , 
Dunkin . . , 
Franklin . . , 
Gasconade , , 
Gentry . . . , 
Greene . . . 
Grundy . , , 
Harrison . . . 
Henry . . . . 
Hickory. . . , 
Holt. . . . , 
Howard . . , 
Howell . . , 
Iron. . . . , 
Jackson . . , 
Jasper . . , . 
Jefferson . . . 
Johnson . . , 
Knox . . . . 
Laclede . . , 
Lafayette. . , 
Lawrence . , 
Lewis . . . , 
Lincoln . • . 
Linn. . . . , 
Livingston . , 
McDonald . , 
Macon. . , , 
Madison . . , 
Maries ... 
Marion . , . 
Mercer. . . , 
Miller. . . 
Mississippi . , 
Moniteau. . 
Monroe . . , 
Montgomery 
Morgan . . 
New Madrid 
Newton . . 



9>474 


9,912 


io,747 


19,136 


23,294 


25,224 


6,707 


7,936 


9,632 


13,667 


'4,549 


15,631 


14063 


13,698 


16,073 


10,292 


14,122 


15,519 


20,692 


21,356 


21,622 


7,982 


9,391 


10,763 


8,683 


11,089 


12,557 


8,383 


8,073 


9,272 


14,410 


16,557 


19,174 


9.858 


",i59 


13.343 


6,357 


7,40i 


10,647 


3,9i5 


6,461 


7,753 


5.982 


6,255 


9,604 


30,098 


26,924 


26,536 


10,093 


11,160 


",i53 


11,607 


12,673 


17,188 


21,549 


24,693 


28,817 


10,567 


13,071 


15,201 


14,635 


18,530 


20,318 


17,401 


18,465 


23914 


6,452 


5,870 


7,388 


11,652 


13,245 


i5,5io 


17,233 


17,815 


18,428 


4,218 


6,756 


8,814 


6,278 


6,623 


8,183 


55,041 


54,045 


82,328 


14,928 


29,384 


32,021 


15,380 


16,186 


18,736 


24,648 


23,646 


28,177 


10,974 


12,678 


13,047 


9,38o 


9,845 


",524 


22,624 


22,204 


25,761 


13,067 


13,o54 


17,585 


I5,"4 


16,360 


15,925 


15,960 


16,858 


17,443 


15,906 


18,110 


20,016 


16,730 


18,074 


20,205 


5,226 


6,072 


7,8i6 


23,230 


25,028 


26,223 


5,849 


8,75o 


8,866 


5,916 


6,481 


7,304 


23,780 


22,794 


24^37 


",557 


13,393 


14,674 


6,616 


8,529 


9,807 


4,982^ 


7,498 


9,270 


13,375 


13,084 


14 349 


17,149 


17,751 


19,075 


10,405 


14,418 


16,250 


8,434 


9-529 


10,134 


6,357 


6,673 


7,694 


12,821 


16,875 


18,948 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 19 

Nodaway. .TV. . . • 14,751 23,196 29560 

Oregon 3 287 4,469 5,791 

Osage «... 10,793 11,200 11,824 

Ozark 3,363 4,579 5,618 

Pemiscot . 2,059 -573 4 299 

Perry 9877 11,189 " S95 

Pettis 18,-/06 23,167 27,285 

Phelps •••• 10,506 ' 9,919 12,565 

Pike. . . . 23,076 22,828 26,716 

Platt • 17.352 15.948 17,372 

Polk 14,445 13.467 15.745 

Pulaski 4.714 6,157 7, 2 5° 

Putnam 11,217 12,641 13,556 

Ralls 10,510 9,997 11,838 

Randolph 1 5 908 19,173 22751 

Ray 18,700 18,394 20,196 

Reynolds 3,756 4,716 5,722 

R Mey 3,175 3,913 5,377 

St. Charles . . . . 21,304 21,821 23,060 

St. Clair . 6,742 11,242 14,126 

St. Francois 9-742 11,621 13,822 

Ste. Genevieve 8,384 9409 i°,3°9 

St. Louis* 351,189 . . . 31,888 

Saline 21,672 27,087 29,912 

Schuyler m .......... . 8,820 9,881 10470 

Scotland 10,670 12,030 12,507 

Scott 7,317 7,312 8,587 

Shannon 2,339 3,236 3,44) 

Shelby 10,119 13.243 14,024 

Stoddard 8,535 10,888 13,432 

Stone 3,253 3,544 4,405 

Sullivan . . . 1 I ,9°7 '4 °39 '6,569 

Taney •••• 4>4°7 6,124 5605 

Texas 9,6iS 10,287 12,207 

Vernon 11,247 '4.4'3 l 9 37° 

Warren 9,673 10,321 10,806 

Washington 11 719 13,100 12,895 

Wayne •••..• 6,068 7,006 9,097 

Webster • I ",434 10,684 12,175 

Worth 5004 7,164 8,208 

Wright 5,684 6,124 9,733 

City of St. Louis ••••••• ... ... 350,522 

_ ,. — _ 

1,721,295 1,547030 2, I6S.S04 

Males •••••• 1,127424 

Females 1,041,380 

Native 1,9*7.564 

Foreign • • . 211,240 

White 2,02.3 568 

Coloredf 145,236 



•St. Louis city and county separated in 1877. Population for 1876 not given, 
f Including 92 Chinese, 2 half Chinese, ami 96 Indians and half-breeds. 



20 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



CHAPTER III. 
GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI. 

CLASSIFrCATION OF ROCKS— QUATERNARY FORMATION-TERTIARY -CRETACEOUS— CAR- 
BONIFEROUS — DEVONIAN — SILURIAN— AZ JIC— ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-COAL— IRON- 
LEAD -COPPER —ZINC— BUILDING STONE — MARBLE — GYPSUM — LIME — PAINTS- 
SPRINGS— WATER POWER. 

The stratified rocks of Missouri, as classified and treated of by Prof. 
G. C. Swallow, belong to the following divisions: I. Quaternary ; II. Ter- 
tiary ; III. Cretaceous ; IV. Carboniferous ; V. Devonian ; VI. Silurian ; 
VII. Azoic. 

The Quaternary formations are the most recent and the most val- 
uable to man ; valuable, because they can be more readily utilized. 

The Quaternary formation in Missouri, embraces the Alluvium, 30 
feet thick; Bottom Prairie, 30 feet thick; Bluff, 200 feet thick; and Drift, 
155 feet thick. The latest deposits are those which constitute the Allu- 
vium, and includes the soils, pebbles and sand, clays, vegetable mold, 
bog, iron ore, marls, etc. 

The Alluvium deposits cover an area, within the limits of Missouri, 
of more than four million acres of land, which are not surpassed for fer- 
tility by any region of country on the globe. 

The Bluff Prairie formation is confined to the lowlands, which are 
washed by the two great rivers which course our eastern and western 
boundaries, and while it is only about half as extensive as the Alluvial, 
it is equally as rich and productive." 

" The Bluff formation," says Professor Swallow, " rests upon the 
ridges and river bluffs, and descends along their slopes to the lowest 
valleys, the formation capping all the bluffs of the Missouri from Fort 
Union to its mouth, and those of the Mississippi from Dubuque to the 
mouth of the Ohio. It forms the upper stratum beneath the soil of all 
the high lands, both timber and prairies, of all the counties north of the 
Osage and Missouri, and also St. Louis, and the Mississippi counties on 
the south. 

Its greatest development is in the counties on the Missouri River, 
from the Iowa line to Boonville. In some localities it is 200 feet thick. 
At St. Joseph it is 140 ; at Boonville 100 ; and at St. Louis, in St. 
George's quarry, and the Big Mound, it is about 50 feet ; while its greatest 
observed thickness in Marion County was only 30 feet." 

The Drift formation is that which lies beneath the Bluff formation, 
having, as Prof. Swallow informs us, three distinct deposits, to wit : 
" Altered Drift, which are strata of sand and pebbles, seen in the banks 
of the Missouri, in the northwestern portion of the state. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. « 

The Boulder formation is a heterogenous stratum of sand, gravel 
and boulder, and water-worn fragments of the older rocks. 

Boulder Clay is a bed of bluish or brown sandy clay, through which 
pebbles are scattered in greater or less abundance. It some localities in 
northern Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe-clay color." 

The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, sand- 
stone, and sands, scattered along the bluffs, and edges of the bottoms, 
reaching from Commerce, Scott County, to Stoddard, and south to the 
Chalk Bluffs in Arkansas. 

The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, and is composed 
of variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish-brown im- 
pure sandstone, fine white clay mingled with spotted flint, purple, red 
and blue clays, all being in the aggregate, 158 feet in thickness. There 
are no fossils in these rocks, and nothing by which their age may be 
told. 

The Carboniferous system includes the Upper Carboniferous or coal- 
measures, and the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain Limestone. The 
coal-measures are made up of numerous strata of sandstones, limestones, 
shales, clays, marls, spathic iron ores and coals. 

The Carboniferous formation, including coal-measures and the beds 
of iron, embrace an area in Missouri of 27,000 square miles. The varie- 
ties of coal found in the state are the common bituminous and cannel 
coals, and they exist in quantities inexhaustible. The fact that these 
coal measures are full of fossils, which are always confined to the coal 
measures, enables the geologist to point them out, and the coal beds con- 
tained in them. 

The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous formation are varied in color, 
and are quarried in many different parts of the state, being extensively 
utilized for building and other purposes. 

Among the Lower Carboniferous rocks is found the Upper Archi- 
medes Limestone, 200 feet; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet; Middle 
Archimedes, 50 feet; St. Louis Limestone, 250 feet; Oolitic Limestone, 
25 feet; Lower Archimedes Limestone, 350 feet; and Encrinital Lime- 
stone, 500 feet. These limestones generally contain fossils. 

The Ferruginous Limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard 
and durable after exposure. It contains large quantities of iron, and is 
found skirting the eastern coal measures from the mouth of the Des 
Moines to McDonald County. 

The St. Louis Limestone is of various hues and tints, and very hard. 
It is found in Clark, Lewis and St. Louis Counties. 

The Lower Archimedes Limestone includes partly the lead-bearing 
rocks of Southwest Missouri. 

The Encrinital Limestone is the most extensive of the divisions of 
Carboniferous Limestone, and is made up of brown, buff, gray and white. 



22 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

In these strata are found the remains of corals and mollusks. This 
formation extends from Marion County to Greene County. The Devo- 
nian system contains : Chemung Group, Hamilton Group, Onondaga 
Limestone and Oriskany Sandstone. The rocks of the Devonian system 
are found in Marion, Ralls, Pike, Callaway, Saline and Ste. Genevieve 
Counties. 

The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau Limestone, 85 
feet ; Vermicular Sandstone and shales, 75 f ee t > Lithographic Limestone, 
125 feet. 

The Chouteau Limestone is in two divisions, when fully developed, 
and when first quarried is soft. It is not only good for building purposes 
but makes an excellent cement. 

The Vermicular Sandstone and shales are usually buff or yellowish 
brown, perforated with pores. 

The Lithographic Limestone is a pure, fine, compact, evenly-textured 
limestone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue. It is called 
"pot-metal," because under the hammer it gives a sharp, ringing sound. 
It has but few fossils. 

The Hamilton Group is made up of some forty feet of blue shales, 
and 170 feet of Crystalline limestone. 

Onondaga Limestone is usually a coarse, gray or buff crystalline, 
thick-bedded and cherry limestone. No formation in Missouri presents 
such variable and widely different lithological characters as the Onondaga. 

The Oriskany Sandstone is a light gray limestone. 

Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations : 
Lower Helderburg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet ; Cape Girardeau 
Limestone, 60 feet. 

The Lower Helderburg is made up of buff, gray and reddish cherry 
and argillaceous limestone. 

Niagara Group. The upper part of this group consists of red, yel- 
low and ash-colored shales, with compact limestones, variegated with 
bands and nodules of chert. 

The Cape Girardeau Limestone, on the Mississippi River near Cape 
Girardeau, is a compact, bluish-gray, brittle limestone, with smooth frac- 
tures in layers from two to six inches in thickness, with argillaceous 
partings. These strata contain a great many fossils. 

The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to wit : Hudson 
River Group, 220 feet ; Trenton Limestone, 360 feet ; Black River and 
Bird's Eye Limestone, 175 feet; first Magnesian Limestone, 200 feet; Sac- 
charoidal Sandstone, 125 feet; second Magnesian Limestone, 250 feet ; 
second Sandstone, 115 feet; third Magnesian Limestone, 350 feet; third 
Sandstone, 60 feet; fourth Magnesian Limestone, 350 feet. 

Hudson River Group. There are three formations which Professor 
Swallow refers to in this group. Theee formation are found in the bluff 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 23 

above and below Louisiana, on the Grassy, a few miles northwest of 
Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve 
Counties. 

Trenton Limestone. The upper part of this formation is made up of 
thick beds of hard, compact, bluish-gray and drab limestone, variegated 
with irregular cavities, filled with greenish materials. 

The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of 
Salt River, and near Glencoe, St. Louis County, and are 75 feet thick. 

Black River and Bird's Eye Limestone is the same color as the Tren- 
ton Limestone. 

The first Magnesian Limestone cap the picturesque bluffs of the Osage 
in Benton and neighboring counties. 

The Saccharoidal Sandstone has a wide range in the state. In a 
bluff about two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thickness 
of this formation. 

Second Magnesian Limestone, in lithological character, is like the first. 
The second Srndstone, usually of yellowish-brown, sometimes becomes 
a pure white, fine-grained, soft, sandstone, as on Cedar Creek, in Wash- 
ington and Franklin Counties. 

The third Magnesian Limestone is exposed in the high and pictur- 
esque bluffs of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bry's Spring. . 

The third Sandstone is white and has a formation in moving water. 

The fourth Magnesian Limestone is seen on the Niangua and Osage 
Rivers. 

The Azoic rocks lie below the Silurian and form a series of silicious 
and other slates, which contain no remains of organic life. 

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 

Coal. — Missouri is particularly rich in minerals. Indeed, no state in 
the Union surpasses her in this respect. In some unknown age of the 
past — long before the existence of man, nature, by a wise process, made 
a bountiful provision for the time, when in the order of things it should 
be necessary for civilized man to take possession of these broad, rich 
prairies. As an equivalent for lack of forests she quietly stored away 
beneath the soil those wonderful carboniferous treasures for the use of 
man. 

Geological surveys have developed the fact that the coal deposits in 
the state are almost unnumbered, embracing all varieties of the best bit- 
uminous coal. The southeast boundary of the state has been ascertained 
to be one continuous coal field, stretching from the mouth of the Des 
Moines River, through Clark, Lewis, Scotland, Adair, Macon, Shelby, 
Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, Cooper, Pettis, Benton, Henry, St. 
Clair, Bates, Vernon, Cedar, Dade, Barton and Jasper, into the Indian 
Territory, and the counties on the northwest of this line contain more or 



24 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

less coal. Coal rocks exist in Ralls, Montgomery, Warren, St. Charles, 
Moniteau, Cole, Morgan, Crawford and Lincoln, and during the past few 
years all along the lines of all the railroads in North Missouri, and along 
the western end of the Missouri Pacific, and on the Missouri River 
between Kansas City and Sioux City, has systematic mining opened up 
hundreds of mines in different localities. The area of our coal beds on the 
line of the southwestern boundary of the state alone embrace more than 
26,000 square miles of regular coal measures. This will give of workable 
coal, if the average be one foot, 26,800,000,000 tons. The estimates from 
the developments already made in the different portions of the state 
will give 134,000,000,000 tons. 

The economical value* of this coal to the state, its influence in 
domestic life, in navigation, commerce and manufactures, is beyond the 
imagination of man to conceive. Suffice it to say, that in the possession 
of her developed and undeveloped coal mines, Missouri has a motive 
power which in its influence for good in the civilization of man is more 
than the gold of California. 

Iron. — Prominent among the minerals which increase the power and 
prosperity of a nation is iron. Of this ore Missouri has an inexhaustible 
quantity, and, like her coal fields, it has been developed in many portions 
of the state, and of the best and purest quality. It is found in great 
abundance in the counties of Cooper, St. Clair, Green, Henry, Franklin, 
Benton, Dallas, Camden, Stone, Madison, Iron, Washington, Perry, St. 
Francois, Reynolds, Stoddard, Scott, Dent, and others. The greatest 
deposit of iron is found in the Iron Mountain, which is two hundred feet 
high, and covers an area of five hundred acres, and produces a metal 
which is shown by analysis to contain from 65 to 69 per cent, of metallic 
iron. 

The ore of Shepherd Mountain contains from 64 to 67 per cent, of 
metallic iron. The ore of Pilot Knob contains from 53 to 60 per cent. 

Rich beds of iron are also found at the Big Bogy Mountain, and at 
Russell Mountain. This ore has in its nude state a variety of colors, 
from the red, dark red, black, brown, to a light bluish gray. The red 
ores are found in 21 or more counties of the state, and are of great com- 
mercial value. The brown hematite iron ores extend over a greater 
range of country than all the others combined ; embracing about 100 
counties, and have been ascertained to exist in these in large quantities. 

Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Mis- 
souri by the whites, lead was mined wijthin the limits of the state, at 
two or three points on the Mississippi. At this time more than five hun- 
dred mines are opened, and many of them are being successfully worked. 
These deposits of lead cover an area, so far as developed, of more than 
7,000 square miles. Mines have been opened in Jefferson, Washington, 
St. Francois, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Reynolds, Crawford, Ste. Gene- 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 2$ 

vieve, Perry, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Camden, Morgan and some other 
counties. 

Copper 2nd Zinc. — Several varieties of copper ore are found in Mis- 
souri. The copper mines of Shannon, Madison, and Franklin Counties 
have been known for years, and some of these have been successfully 
worked and are now yielding good results. 

Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Benton, 
Maries, Green, Lawrence, Dade, Taney, Dallas, Phelps, Reynolds and 
Wnght Counties 

Zinc is abundant in nearly all the lead mines in the southwestern 
part of the state, and since the completion of the A. & P. R. R. a market 
has been furnished for this ore, which will be converted into valuable 
merchandise 

Building Stone and Marble. — There is no scarcity of good building 
stone in Missouri. Limestone, sandstone and granite exist in all shades 
of buff, blue, red and brown, and are of great beauty as building material. 

Theie are many marble beds in the state, some of which furnish 
very beautiful and excellent marble. It is found in Marion, Cooper, St. 
Louis and other counties. 

One of the most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the third 
Magnesian Limestone, on the Niangua. It is fine grained, crystalline, 
silico-magnesian limestone, light drab, slightly tinged with peach blos- 
som, and clouded by deep flesh-colored shades. In ornamental archi- 
tecture it is rarely surpassed. 

Gypsum and Lime. — Though no extensive beds of gypsum have been 
discovered in Missouri, there are vast beds of the pure white crystalline 
variety on the line of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kansa~ River, and 
on Gypsum Creek. It exists also in several other localities accessible 
by both rail and boat. 

All of the limestone formations in the state, from the coal measures 
to the fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure 
carbonate of pure lime. 

Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the state 
suitable for making bricks. Potters' clay and fire clay are worked in 
many localities. 

There are several beds of purple shades in the coal measures which 
possess the properties requisite for paints used in outside work. Yellow 
and red ochres are found in considerable quantities on the Missouri 
Rivei Some of these paints have been thoroughly tested and found 
fire-pioof and durable. 

SPRINGS AND WATER POWER. 

No State is, peihaps, better supplied with cold springs ot pure water 
than Missouri. Out of the bottoms there is scarcely a section of land 



26 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

but has one or more perennial springs of good water. Even where there 
are no springs good water can be obtained by digging from twenty to 
forty feet. Salt springs are abundant in the central part of the state, 
and discharge their brine in Cooper, Saline, Howard and adjoining coun- 
ties. Considerable salt was made in Cooper and Howard counties at an 
early day. 

Sulphur springs are also numerous throughout the state. The Cho- 
teau Springs in Cooper, the Monagaw Springs in St. Clair, the Elk 
Springs in Pike, and the Cheltenham Springs in St. Louis County, have 
acquired considerable reputation as salubrious waters, and have become 
popular places of resort. Many other counties have good sulphur 
springs. 

Among the Chalybeate springs the Sweet Springs on the Black- 
water, and the Chalybeate Spring in the University campus are, perhaps, 
the most popular of the kind in the State. There are, however, other 
springs impregnated with some of the salts of iron. 

Petroleum springs are found in Carroll, Ray, Randolph, Cass, Lafay- 
ette, Bates, Vernon and other counties. The variety called lubricating 
oil is the more common. 

The water power of the State is excellent. Large springs are par- 
ticularly abundant on the Meramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Osage, Nian- 
gua, Spring, White, Sugar and other streams. Besides these, there are 
hundreds of springs sufficiently large to drive mills and factories, and the 
day is not far distant when these crystal fountains will be utilized, and a 
thousand saws will buzz to their dashing music. 



CHAPTER IV. 
TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

TITLE TO MISSOURI LANDS-RIGHT OF DISCOVERY— TITLE OF FRANCE AND SPAIN — 
CESSION TO THE UNITED STATES — TERRITORIAL CHANGES —TREATIES WITH 
INDIANS— FIRST SETTLEMENT- STE. GENEVIEVE AND NEW BOURBON— ST. LOUIS— 
WHEN INCORPORATED-POTOSI-ST. CHARLES-PORTAGE DES SIOUX-NEW MADRID 
—ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY-PERRY-MISSISSIPPI-LOUTRE ISLANDS-" BOONE'S LICK" 
—COTE SANS DESSEIN— HOWARD COUNTY— SOME FIRST THINGS— COUNTIES-WHEN 
ORGANIZED. 

The title to the soil of Missouri was, of course, primarily vested in 
the original occupants who inhabited the country prior to its discovery 
by the whites. But the Indians, being savages, possessed but few rights 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 2f 

that civilized nations considered themselves bound to respect, so when 
they found this country in the possession of such a people, they claimed 
it in the name of the King of France by the right of discovery. It 
remained under the jurisdiction of France until 1763. 

Prior to the year 1763 the entire continent of North America was 
divided between France, England, Spain and Russia. France held all 
that portion that now constitutes our national domain west of the Mis- 
sissippi River, except Texas and the territory which we have obtained 
from Mexico and Russia. The vast region, while under the jurisdiction 
of France, was known as the "Province of Louisiana," and embraced the 
present State of Missouri. At the close of the "Old French War," in 
1763, France gave up her share of the continent, and Spain came into 
the possession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, while Great 
Britain retained Canada and the regions northward, having obtained 
that territory by conquest in the war with France. For thirty-seven 
years the territory now embraced within the limits of Missouri, remained 
as a part of the possession of Spain, and then went back to France by 
the treaty of St. Ildefonso, October 1st, 1800. On the 30th of April, 
1803, France ceded it to the United States in consideration of receiving 
$11,250,000 and the liquidation of certain claims held by citizens of the 
United States against France, which amounted to the further sum of 
$3,750,00, making a total of $15,000,000. It will thus be seen that France 
has twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory embracing 
Missouri, but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our government 
an opportunity to add another empire to its domain. 

On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved, 
authorizing the President to take possession of the newly acquired ter- 
ritory, and provided for it a temporary government, and another act, 
approved March 26th, 1804, authorized the division of the "Louisiana 
Purchase," as it was then called, into two separate territories. All 
that portion south of the 33d parallel of north latitude was called the 
" Territory of Orleans," and that north of the said parallel was known as 
the " District of Louisiana," and was placed under the jurisdiction of 
what was then known as " Indiana Territory." 

By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the "Dis- 
trict of Louisiana" was organized as the " Territory of Louisiana," with 
a territorial government of its own, which went into operation July 4th, 
of the same year, and it so remained until 1812. In this year the 
" Territory of Orleans " became the State of Louisiana, and the " Terri- 
tory of Louisiana" was organized as the "Territory of Missouri." 

This change took place under an act of Congress, approved June 
4th, 1812. In 1819 a portion of this territory was organized as "Arkan- 
sas Territory," and in 1812 the State of Missouri was admitted, being a 
part of the former " Territory of Missouri." 



28 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

In 1836 the "Platte Purchase," then being a part of the Indian Ter- 
ritory, and now composing the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, 
Holt, Nodaway, and Platte, was made by treaty with the Indians, and 
added to the state. It will be seen then that the soil of Missouri be- 
longed 

First — To France with other territory. 

Second — In 1768, with other territory it was ceded to Spain. 

Third — October 1st, 1800, it was ceded with other territory from 
Spain back to France. 

Fourth— April 30th, 1803, it was ceded with other territory by 
France to the United States. 

Fifth — October 31, 1803, a temporary government was authorized 
by Congress for the newly acquired territory. 

Sixth — October 1, 1804, it was included in the "District of Louis- 
iana," and placed under the territorial government of Indiana. 

Seventh — July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the "Territory 
of Louisiana," then organized with a separate territorial government. 

Eighth — June 4, 18 12, it was embraced in what was then made the 
"Territory of Missouri." 

Ninth — August 10, 1821, it was admitted into the Union as a state. 

Tenth — In 1836 the "Platte Purchase" was made, adding more ter- 
ritory to the state. 

The cession by France, April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United 
States, subject to the claims of the Indians, which it was very justly the 
policy of the government to recognize. Before the government of the 
United States could vest clear title to the soil in the grantee it was 
necessary to extinguish the Indian title by purchase. This was done 
accordingly by treaties made with the Indians at different times. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory now 
embraced in the State of Missouri is not known, nor is it known at what 
precise period the first settlements were made. It is, however, gener- 
ally agreed that they were made at Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon, 
tradition fixing the date of these settlements in the autumn of 1735- 
These towns were settled by the French from Kaskaskia and St. Philip 
in Illinois. 

St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Liguest, on the 15th of 
February, 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the members 
of the company of Laclede, Liguest, Antoino Maxant & Co., to whom 
a royal charter had been granted, confrm ng the privilege of an exclu- 
sive trade with the Indians of the Mis. ouri as far north as St. Peter's 
River. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 29 

While in search of a trading post he ascended the Mississippi as far 
as the mouth of the Missouri, and finally returned to the present town site 
of St. Louis. After the village had been laid off he named it St. Louis, 
in honor of Louis XV, of France. 

The colony thrived rapidly by accessions from Kaskaskia and other 
towns on the east side of the Mississippi, and its trade was largely in- 
creased by many of the Indian tribes, who removed a portion of their 
peltry trade from the same towns to St. Louis. It was incorporated as 
a town on the 9th day of November, 1809, by the court of Common 
Pleas of the district of St. Louis; the town trustees being Auguste Chou- 
teau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F. Cabanne, Wm. C. Carr and Wm. 
Christy, and incorporated as a city December 9, 1822. The selection 
of the town site on which St. Louis stands was highly judicious, the spot 
not only being healthful and having the advantages of water transpor- 
tation unsurpassed, but surrounded by a beautiful region of country, rich 
in soil and mineral resources. St. Louis has grown to be the fifth city 
in population in the Union, and is to-day, the great centre of internal 
commerce of the Missouri, the Mississippi and their tributaries, and, 
with its railroad facilities, it is destined to be the greatest inland city of 
the American continent. 

The next settlement was made at Potosi, in Washington County, 
in 1765, by Francis Breton, who, while chasing a bear, discovered the 
mine near the present town of Potosi, where he afterward located. 

One of the most prominent pioneers who settled at Potosi, was 
Moses Austin, of Virginia, who, in 1773, received by grant from the 
Spanish government, a league of land now known as the "Austin Sur- 
vey." The grant was made on the condition that Mr. Austin would 
establish a lead mine at Potosi and work it. He built a palatial resi- 
dence, for that day, on the brow of the hill in the little village, which 
was, for many years, known as "Durham Hall." At this point the first 
shot-tower and sheet-lead manufactory were erected. 

Five years after the founding of St. Louis the first settlement made 
in Northern Missouri was made at or near St. Charles, in St. Charles 
County, in 1769. The name given to it, and which it retained till 1784, 
was Les Petites Cotes, signifying Little Hills. The town site was located 
by Blanchette, a Frenchman, surnamed LeChasseur, who built the first 
fort in the town and established there a military post. 

Soon after the establishment of the military post at St. Charles, the 
old French village of Portage des Sioux was located on the Mississipi, 
just below the mouth of the Illinois river, and at about the same time a 
Kickapoo village was commenced at Clear Weather Lake. The present 
town site of New Madrid, in New Madrid County, was settled in 178 1, 
by French Canadians, it then being occupied by Delaware Indians. The 
place now known as Big River Mills, St. Francois County, was settled in 



30 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

1796, Andrew Baker, John Alley, Francis Starater and John Andrews each 
locating claims. The following year a settlement was made in the same 
county, just below the the present town of Farmington, by the Rev. Wm. 
Murphy, a Baptist minister from East Tennessee. In 1796, settlements 
were made in Perry County by emigrants from Kentucky and Pennsyl- 
vania ; the latter locating in the rich bottom lands of Bois Brule, the 
former generally settling in the "Barrens," and along the waters of Saline 
Creek. 

Bird's Point, in Mississippi County, opposite Cairo, 111., was settled 
August 6, 1800, by John Johnson, by virtue of a land grant from the com- 
mandant under the Spanish Government. Norfolk and Charleston, in 
the same county, were settled respectively in 1800 and 1801. Warren 
county was settled in 1801. Loutre Island, below the present town of 
Herman, in the Missouri River, was settled by a few American families 
in 1807. This little company of pioneers suffered greatly from the floods, 
as well as from the incursions of thieving and blood-thirsty Indians, and 
many incidents of a thrilling character could be related of trials and 
struggles had we the time and space. 

In 1807 Nathan and Daniel Boone, sons of the great hunter and pio- 
neer, in company with three others, went from St. Louis to "Boone's 
Lick," in Howard County, where they manufactured salt, and formed the 
nucleus of a small settlement. 

Cote Sans Dessein, now called Bakersville, on the Missouri River, in 
Callaway County, was settled by the French in 1801. This little town 
was considered at that time as the "Far West" of the new world. During 
the war of 1812, at this place many hard-fought battles occurred between 
the whites and Indians, wherein woman's fortitude and courage greatly 
assisted in the defense of the settlement. 

In 18 10 a colony of Kentuckians, numbering one hundred and fifty 
families, immigrated to Howard County, and settled in the Missouri River 
bottom, near the present town of Franklin. 

Such, in brief, is the history of some of the early settlements of Mis- 
souri, covering a period of more than half a century. 

These settlements were made on the water courses ; usually along 
the banks of the two great streams, whose navigation afforded them 
transportation for their marketable commodities and communication 
with the civilized portion of the country. 

They not only encountered the gloomy forests, settling as they did, 
by the river's brink, but the hostile incursion of savage Indians, by whom 
they were for many years surrounded. 

The expedients of these brave men who first broke ground in the 
territory have been succeeded by the permanent and tasteful improve- 
ments of their descendants. Upon the spots where they toiled, dared 
and died, are seen the comfortable farm, the beautiful vilkge and thrifty 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. $1 

city. Churches and school houses greet the eye on every hand ; rail- 
roads diverge in every direction, and indeed, all the appliances of a higher 
civilization are profusely strewn over the smiling surface of the state. 

Culture's hand 
Has scattered verdure o'er the land ) 
And smiles and fragrance rule serene, 
Where barren wild usurped the scene. 

SOME FIRST THINGS. 

The first marriage that took place in Missouri was April 20, 1766, irt 
St. Louis. 

The first baptism was performed in May, 1776, in St. Louis. 

The first house of worship (Catholic), was erected in 1775, at St. 
Louis. 

The first ferry established in 1805, on the Mississippi River, at St. 
Louis. 

The first newspaper established in St. Louis (Missouri Gazette) in 
1808. 

The first postoffice was established in 1804, in St. Louis — Rufus 
Easton, postmaster. 

The first Protestant church erected at Ste. Genevieve, in 1806 — 
Baptist. 

The first bank established, (Bank of St. Louis), in 18 14. 

The first market house opened in 181 1, in St. Louis. 

The first steamboat on the Upper Mississippi was the General Pike, 
Capt. Jacob Reid ; landed at St. Louis, 1817. 

The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 18 17, St. 
Louis. 

The first college built, (St. Louis College), in 18 17. 

The first steamboat that came up the Missouri River as high as 
Franklin was the Independence, in 1819; Capt. Nelson, master. 

The first court house erected in 1823, in St. Louis. 

The first cholera appeared in St. Louis in 1832. 

The first railroad convention held in St. Louis, April 20, 1836. 

The first telegraph lines reached East St. Louis, December 20, 1847. 

The first great fire occurred in St. Louis, 1849. 



£2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

CHAPTER V. 
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION. 



ORGANIZATION 1812-COUNCIL-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES— WM. CLARK FIRST TER- 
RITORIAL GOVERNOR-EDWARD HEMPSTEAD FIRST DELEGATE-SPANISH GRANTS 
—FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY-PROCEEDINGS-SECOND ASSEMBLY— PROCEEDINGS- 
POPULATION OF TERRITORY -VOTE OF TERRITORY- RUFUS EASTON - ABSENT 
MEMBERS— THIRD ASSEMBLY-PROCEEDINGS-APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION. 

Congress organized Missouri as a territory July 4, 18 12, with a Gov- 
ernor and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Council and 
House of Representatives exercised the legislative power of the terri- 
tory, the Governor's vetoing power being absolute. 

The Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose 
tenure of office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by 
the House of Representatives to the President of the United States, 
from whom he selected, with the approval of the Senate, nine Council- 
lors to compose the Legislative Council. 

The House of Representatives consisted of members chosen every 
two years by the people, the basis of representation being one member 
for every five hundred white males. The first House of Representatives 
consisted of thirteen members, and, by act of Congress, the whole num- 
ber of Representatives could not exceed twenty-five. 

The judicial power of the territory was vested in the Superior and 
Inferior Courts, and in the Justices of the Peace ; the Superior Court 
having three judges, whose term of office continued four years, having 
original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. 

The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor 
Clark issued a proclamation, October 1st, 1812, required by Congress, 
reorganizing the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape 
Girardeau and New Madrid into five counties, and fixed the second Mon- 
day in November following for the election of a delegate to Congress, 
and the members of the Territorial House of Representatives. 

William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was the first 
Territorial Governor, appointed by the President, who began his duties 
in 1813. 

Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond and Matthew 
Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to Congress. 

Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Delegate 
to Congress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second, 
and was instrumental in having Congress to pass the act of June 13, 18 12, 
which he introduced, confirming the title to lands which were claimed 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 33 

by the people by virtue of Spanish grants. The same act confirmed to 
the people "for the support of schools," the title to village lots, out-lots or 
common field-lots, which were held and enjoyed by them at the time of 
the cession of 1803. 

Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first General Assembly held its 
session in the house of Joseph Robidoux, on the 7th of December, 1812. 
The names of the members of the House were : 

St. Charles. — John Pitman and Robert Spencer. 

St. Louis. — David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr and 
Richard Clark. 

Ste. Genevieve. — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas and Isaac 
McGready. 

Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger and Spencer Byrd. 

New Madrid. — John Shrader and Samuel Phillips. 

John B. C. Lucas, one of the Territorial Judges, administered the oath 
of office. William C. Carr was elected Speaker and Andrew Scott, Clerk. 

The House of Representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen per- 
sons from whom the President of the United States, with the Senate, was 
to select nine for the Council. From this number the President chose 
the following : 

St. Charles. — James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons. 

St. Louis. — August Choteau, Sr. and Samuel Hammond. 

Ste. Genevieve. — John Scott and James Maxwell. 

Cape Girardeau. — William Neely and Joseph Cavenor. 

New Madrid. — Joseph Hunter. 

The Legislative Council, thus chosen by the President and Senate, 
was announced by Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor of 
the Territory, by proclamation, June 3, 1813, and fixing the first Monday 
in July following as the time for the meeting of the Legislature. 

In the meantime the duties of the executive office were assumed by 
William Clark. The Legislature accordingly met as required by the 
Acting-Governor's proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were never 
officially published. Consequently but little is known in reference to 
the workings of the first Territorial Legislature of Missouri. 

From the imperfect account, published in the Missouri Gazette, of 
that day, a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found 
that laws were passed regulating and establishing weights and measures . 
creating the office of sheriff ; providing the manner for taking the census , 
permanently fixing the seats of justice, and an act to compensate its 
own members. At this session laws were also passed defining crimes 
and penalties ; laws in reference to forcible entry and detainer ; estab- 
lishing Courts of Common Pleas ; incorporating the Bank of St. Louis 
and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve County into the county of 
Washington. 



34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Th« next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decem- 
ber 6, 1813. George Bullet, of Ste. Genevieve county, was Speaker elect, 
Andrew Scott, clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper. Since the 
adjournment of the former Legislature several vacancies had occurred, and 
new members had been elected to fill their places. Among these was 
Israel McGready, from the county of Washington. 

The president of the legislative council was Samuel Hammond. No 
journal of the council was officially published, but the proceedings of the 
House are found in the Gazette. 

At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were 
passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spirit- 
ual welfare of the people. Laws were enacted for the suppression of 
vice and immorality on the Sabbath day ; for the improvement of pub- 
lic roads and highways ; creating the offices of auditor, treasurer and 
county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal affairs of the Territory and fixing 
the boundary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Washington and St. 
Charles Counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of January, 
18 14, sine die. 

The population of the territory as shown by the United States 
census in 1810, was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in 1814 
gave the territory a population of 25,000. This enumeration shows the 
county of St. Louis contained the greatest number of inhabitants, and 
the new county of Arkansas the least — the latter having 827, and the 
former 3,149. 

The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel 
Hammond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus Ea"ston 
and Samuel Hammond had been candidates at the preceding election. 
In all the counties, excepting Arkansas, the votes aggregated 2,599, °f 
which number Mr. Easton received 965, Mr. Hammond 746, Mr. NcNair 
853, and Mr. Riddick (who had withdrawn previously to the election) 35. 
Mr. Easton was elected. 

The census of 18 14, showing a large increase in the population of the 
territory, an apportionment was made increasing the number of repre- 
sentatives in the territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The General 
Assembly began its session in St. Louis, December 5, 18 14. There were 
present on the first day twenty Representatives. James Caldwell of Ste. 
Genevieve county was elected speaker, and Andrew Scott, who had been 
clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen clerk. The president of the 
council was William Neely, of Cape Girardeau County. 

It appears that James Maxwell, the absent member of the council, 
and Seth Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives, were 
dead. The county of Lawrence was organized at this session, from the 
western part of New Madrid County, and the corporate powers of St. 
Louis were enlarged. In 181 5 the territorial Legislature again began its 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 35 

session. Only a partial report of its proceedings are given in the 
Gazette. The county of Howard was then organized from St. Louis and 
St. Charles Counties, and included all that part of the state lying north 
of the Osage and south of the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and 
Missouri Rivers. 

The next session of the territorial Legislature commenced its ses- 
sion in December, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many 
important acts were passed. It was then that the "Bank of Missouri" 
was chartered and went into operation. In the fall of 18 17 the " Bank of 
St. Louis" and the "Bank of Missouri" were issuing bills. An act was 
passed chartering lottery companies, chartering the academy at Potosi, 
and incorporating a board of trustees for superintending the schools in 
the town of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encourage the "killing 
of wolves, panthers and wild-cats." 

The territorial Legislature met again in December, 18 18, and 
among other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson, 
Franklin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in 
the southern part of Arkansas. It 18 19 the Territory of Arkansas was 
formed into a separate government of its own. 

The people of the Territory of Missouri had been, for some time, 
anxious that their territory should assume the duties and responsibilities 
of a sovereign state. Since 1812, the date of the organization of the 
territory, the population had rapidly increased, many counties had been 
established, its commerce had grown into importance, its agricultural 
and mineral resources were being developed, and believing that its 
admission into the Union as a state would give fresh impetus to all these 
interests and hasten its settlement, the territorial Legislature of 1818-19 
accordingly made application to Congress for the passage of an act 
authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a state government. 



CHAPTER VI. 

APPLICATION OF MISSOURI TO BE ADMITTED INTO THE UNION-AGITATION OF THE 
SLAVERY QUESTION-'* MISSOURI COMPROMISE "-CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 
OF 1820— CONSTITUTION PRESENTED TO CONGRESS-FURTHER RESISTANCE TO 
ADMISSION-MR. CLAY AND HIS COMMITTEE MAKE REPORT-SECOND COMPROMISE 
— MISSOURI ADMITTED. 

With the application of the territorial Legislature of Missouri for 
her admission into tfle Union commenced the real agitation of the 
slavery question in the United States. 



l6 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Not only was our National Legislature the theatre of angry discus- 
sions, but everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the Repub- 
lic the "Missouri Question" was the all-absorbing theme. The political 
skies threatened, 

«' In forked flashes, a commanding tempest," 

Which was liable to burst upon the nation at any moment. Through 
such a crisis our country seemed destined to pass. The question as to 
the admission of Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which 
distracted the public counsels of the nation for more than forty years 
afterward. 

Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of states. 
"Lower Louisiana," her twin sister territory, had knocked at the door of 
the Union eight years previously, and was admitted, as stipulated by 
Napoleon, to all the rights, privileges and immunities of a state, and in 
accordance with the stipulations of the same treaty, Missouri now sought 
to be clothed with the same rights, privileges and immunities. 

As what is known in the history of the United Stc*ces as the "Mis- 
souri Compromise," of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent 
measures that had up to that day engaged the attention of our National 
Legislature, we shall enter somewhat into its details, being connected as 
they are with the annals of the state. 

February 15th, 1819. — After the House had resolved itself into a 
committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Mis- 
souri into the Union, and after the question of her admission had been 
discussed for some time, Mr. Tallmadge, of New York, moved to amend 
the bill by adding to it the following proviso : 

"And Provided, That the further introduction of slavery or involun- 
tary servitude be prohibited, except for the punishment of crime, whereof 
the party shall have been duly convicted, and that all children born 
within the said state, after the admission thereof into the Union, shall 
be free at the age of twenty-five years." 

As might have been expected, this proviso precipitated the angry 
discussion which lasted for nearly three years, finally culminating in the 
Missouri Compromise. All phases of the slavery question were presented, 
not only in its moral and social aspects, but as a great constitutional 
question, affecting Missouri and the admission of future states. The pro- 
viso, when submitted to a vote, was adopted — 79 to 67, and so reported 
to the House. 

Hon John Scott, who was at that time a delegate from the Territory 
of Missouri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate, he had the 
privilege of participating in the debates which followed. On the 16th 
day of February the proviso was taken up and discussed. After several 
speeches had been made, among them one by Mr. Scott and one by the 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 37 

author of the proviso, Mr. Tallmadge, the amendment or proviso was 
divided into two parts, and voted upon. The first part of it, which 
included all to the word "convicted," was adopted — 87 to 76. The 
remaining part was then voted upon, and also adopted, by 82 to 78. By 
a vote of 97 to 56 the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. 

The Senate Committee, to whom the bill was referred, reported the 
same to the Senate on the 10th of February, when that body voted first 
upon a motion to strike out of the proviso all after the word "convicted," 
which was carried by a vote of 32 to 7. It then voted to strike out the 
first entire clause, which prevailed — 22 to 16, thereby defeating the 
proviso. 

The House declined to concur in the action of the Senate, and the 
bill was again returned to that body, which in turn refused to recede from 
its position. The bill was lost, and Congress adjourned. This was most 
unfortunate for the country. The people having been wrought up to 
fever heat over the agitation of the question in the national councils, 
now became intensely excited. The press added fuel to the flame, and 
the progress of events seemed rapidly tending to the downfall of our 
nationality. 

A long interval of nine months was to ensue before the meeting of 
Congress. That body indicated by its vote upon the "Missouri ques- 
tion" that the two great sections of the country were politically divided 
upon the subject of slavery. The restrictive clause, which it was sought 
to impose upon Missouri as a condition of her admission, would in all 
probability be one of the conditions of the admission of the Territory of 
Arkansas. The public mind was in a state of great doubt and uncer- 
tainty up to the meeting of Congress, which took place on the 6th of 
December, 18 19. The memorial of the Legislative Council and House 
of Representatives of the Missouri Territory, praying for admission into 
the Union, was presented to the Senate by Mr. Smith, of South Carolina 
It was referred to the Judiciary Committee. 

Some three weeks having passed without any action thereon by the 
Senate, the bill was taken up and discussed by the House until the 19th 
of February, when the bill from the Senate for the admission of Maine 
was considered. The bill for the admission of Maine included the "Mis- 
souri question " by an amendment, which reads as follows : 

"And be it farther enacted, That in all territory ceded by France to 
the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of 
thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, north latitude, (excepting such 
part thereof as is) included within the limits of the state, contemplated 
by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the 
punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been convicted, shall 
be and is hereby forever prohibited : Provided always, That any person 
escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed, 



38 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

in any state or territory of the United States, such fugitive may be law- 
fully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or 
service as aforesaid." 

The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the 
" Missouri Compromise," modified afterward by striking out the words, 
"excepting only such part thereof? 

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 20. On the 2d day of 
March the House took up the bill and amendments for consideration, 
and by a vote of 134 to 42 concurred in the Senate amendment, and the 
bill, being passed by the two Houses, constituted section 8, of " An Act 
to authorize the people of the Missouri Territory to form a Constitution 
and State Government, and for the admission of such state into the 
Union on an equal footing with the original states, and to prohibit 
slavery in certain territory." 

This act was approved March 6, 1820. Missouri then contained fif- 
teen organized counties. By act of Congress the people of said state 
were authorized to hold an election on the first Monday, and two suc- 
ceeding days thereafter in May, 1820, to select representatives to a state 
convention. This convention met in St. Louis on the 12th of June, fol- 
lowing the election in May, and concluded its labors on the 19th of July, 
1820. David Barton was its president, and Wm. G. Pettis, secretary. 
There were forty-one members of this convention, men of ability and 
statesmanship, as the admirable constitution which they framed amply 
testifies. Their names and the counties represented by them are as 
follows : 

Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Byrd, James Evans, Richard S. Thomas, 
Alexander Buckner and Joseph McFerron. 

Cooper.— Robert P. Clark, Robert Wallace, Wm. Lillard. 

Franklin. — John G. Heath. 

Hotvard.— Nicholas S. Burkhart, Duff Green, John Ray, Jonathan 
S. Findley, Benj. H. Reeves. 

Jefferson. — Daniel Hammond. 

Lincoln. — Malcolm Henry. 

Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James Talbott. 

Madison. — Nathaniel Cook. 

New Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts. 

Pike. — Stephen Cleaver. 

St. Charles. — Benjamin Emmons, Nathan Boone, Hiram H. Baber. 

Ste. Genevieve.— John D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott, R. T. Brown. 

St. Louis.— David Barton, Edward Bates, Alexander McNair, Wm. 
Rector, John C. Sullivan, Pierre Choteau, Jr., Bernard Pratte, Thomas 
F. Riddick. 

Washington— John Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Hutchings. 
Wayne. — Elijah Bettis. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 39 

On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the 6th 
of the same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, presented to 
the House the constitution as framed by the convention. The same 
was referred to a select committee, who made thereon a favorable report. 

The admission of the state, however, was resisted, because it was 
claimed that its constitution sanctioned slavery, and authorized the 
Legislature to pass laws preventing free negroes and mulattoes from 
settling in the state. The report of the committee to whom was referred 
the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied by a preamble and reso- 
lutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina. The preamble and 
resolutions were stricken out. 

The application of the state for admission shared the same fate in 
the Senate. The question was referred to a select committee, who, on 
the 29th of November, reported in favor of admitting the state. The 
debate which followed continued for two weeks, and finally Mr. Eaton, 
of Tennessee, offered an amendment to the resolution, as follows : 

"Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as 
to give- the assent of Congress to any provision in the Constitution of 
Missouri, if any such there be, which contravenes that clause in the 
Constitution of the United States which declares that the citizens of 
each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citi- 
zens in the several states." 

The resolution, as amended, was adopted. The resolution and pro- 
viso were again taken up and discussed at great length, when the com- 
mittee agreed to report the resolution to the House. 

The question on agreeing to the amendment, as reported from the 
committee of the whole, was lost in the House. A similar resolution 
afterward passed the Senate, but was again rejected in the House. Then 
it was that the great statesman and pure patriot, Henry Clay, of Ken- 
tucky, feeling that the hour had come when angry discussion should 
cease : 

"With grave 
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 
A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven 
Deliberation sat and public care ; 
And princely counsel in his face yet shone 
Majestic" ***** 

proposed that the question of Missouri's admission be referred to a com- 
mittee consisting of twenty-three persons, (a number equal to the number 
of states then composing the Union,) to be appointed to act in conjunction 
with a committee of the Senate to consider and report whether Missouri 
should be admitted, etc. 

The motion prevailed, the committee was appointed and Mr. Clay 
made its chairman. The Senate selected seven of its members to ace 



40 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



with the committee of twenty-three, and the 26th of February the fol- 
lowing report was made by that committee: 

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled : That Missouri shall be 
admitted into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states, in 
all respects whatever, upon the fundamental condition that the fourth 
clause, of the twenty-sixth section of the third article of the Constitu- 
tion submitted on the part of said state to Congress, shall never be con- 
strued to authorize the passage of any law, and that no law shall be 
passed in conformity thereto, by which any citizen of either of the states 
in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privi- 
leges and immunities to which such citizen is entitled, under the Con- 
stitution of tfre United States ; Provided, That the Legislature of said . 
state, by a solemn public act, shall declare the assent of the said state 
to the said fundamental condition, and shall transmit to the President 
of the United States, on or before the fourth Monday in November next, 
an authentic copy of the said act ; upon the receipt whereof, the Presi- 
dent, by proclamation, shall announce the fact ; whereupon, and without 
any further proceeding on the part of Congress, the admission of the 
said state into the Union shall be considered complete." 

This resolution, after a brief debate, was adopted in the House, and 
passed the Senate on the 28th of February, 1821. 

At a special session of the Legislature held in St. Charles, in June 
following, a solemn public act was adopted, giving its assent to the con- 
ditions of admission, as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Clay. August 
10th, 182 1, President Monroe announced by proclamation the admission 
of Missouri into the Union to be comolete. 



CHAPTER VII. 
MISSOURI AS A STATE. 

FIRST ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATE OFFICERS-SENATORS AND REP- 
RESENTATIVES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SHERIFFS AND CORONERS -UNITED 
STATES SENATORS-REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS-SUPREME COURT JUDGES- 
COUNTIES ORGANIZED-CAPITAL MOVED TO ST. CHARLES— OFFICIAL RECORD OF 
TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS. 

By the Constitution adopted by the Convention on the 19th of July, 
1820, the General Assembly was required to meet in St. Louis on the 
third Monday in September of that year, and an election was ordered to 



HISTOR>' OF MISSOURI 41 

be held on the 28th of August for the election of a Governor and other 
state officers, Senators and Representatives to the General Assembly, 
Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Senators and Representatives in 
Congress. 

It will be seen that Missouri had not as yet been admitted as a 
State, but in anticipation of that event and according to the provisions 
of the' constitution the election was held, and the General Assemby con- 
vened. 

William Clark (who had been Governor of the territory) and Alex- 
ander McNair were candidates for Governor. McNair received 6,576 
votes, Clark 2,556, total vote of the state 9,132. There were three can- 
didates for Lieutenant Governor, to wit : William H. Ashley, Nathaniel 
Cook and Henry Elliot. Ashley received 3,907 votes, Cook 3,212, Elliot 
931. A Representative was to be elected for the residue of the Six- 
teenth Congress and one for the Seventeenth. John Scott, who was at 
the time territorial delegate, was elected to both Congresses without 
opposition. 

Tire General Assembly elected in August met on the 19th Septem- 
ber, 1820, and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste. Genevieve, 
Speaker, and John McArthur, Clerk; William H. Ashley, Lieutenant 
Governor, President of the Senate ; Silas Bent, President pro tern. 

Matthias McKirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones were appointed 
Supreme Judges, each to hold office until sixty-five years of age. 

Joshua Barton was appointed Secretary of State ; Peter Didier, State 
Treasurer; Edward Bates, Attorney General, and William Christie, 
Auditor of Public Accounts. 

David Barton and Thomas H. Benton were elected by the General 
Assembly to the United States Senate. 

At this session of the Legislature the counties of Boone, Callaway, 
Chariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lillard, Percy, Ralls, Ray and Saline were 
organized. 

We should like to give in detail the meetings and proceedings of 
the different Legislatures which followed, the elections for Governors 
and other state officers, the elections for Congressmen and United 
States Senators, but for want of space we can only present in a condensed 
form the official record of the territorial and state officers. 

OFFICIAL RECORD— TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 

Governors. — Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor, 
1812-13; William Clark, 1813-20. 

OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT. 

Governors.— Alexander McNair, 1820-24; Frederick Bates, 1824-25; 
Abraham J. Williams vice Bates, 1825 ; John Miller vice Bates, 1826-28; 



2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

John Miller, 1828-32; Daniel Dunklin, 1832-36, resigned, appointed Sur- 
veyor General United States; Lilburn W. Boggs Vice Dunklin, 1836; 
Lilburn W. Boggs, 1836-40; Thomas Reynolds, 1840, died 1844; M. M. 
Marmaduke vice Reynolds — John C. Edwards, 1844-48 ; Austin A. King, 
1848-52; Sterling Price, 1852-56; Trusten Polk, 1856-57, resigned; 
Hancock Jackson vice Polk, 1857; Robert M. Stewart vice Polk, 1857-60 ; 
C. F. Jackson, i860, office vacated by ordinance ; Hamilton R. Gamble 
vice Jackson, Governor Gamble died 1864; Williard P. Hall, 1864, vice 
Gamble; Thomas C. Fletcher, 1864-68; Joseph W. McClurg, 1868-70; 

B. Gratz Brown, 1870-72; Silas Woodson, 1872-74; Charles H. Hardin, 
1874-76; John S. Phelps, 1876-80; Thomas T. Crittenden, 1880, and is 
now Governor. 

Lieutenant-Governors. — William H.Ashley, 1820-24; Benjamin A. 
Reeves, 1824-28; Daniel Dunklin, 1828-32; Lilburn W. Boggs, 1832-36; 
Franklin Cannon, 1836-40; M. M. Marmaduke, 1840-44; James Young, 
1844-48-60; Thomas C. Reynolds, 1860-61; Williard P. Hall, 1861-64- 
George Smith, 1864-68; Edward O. Stanard, 1868-70; Joseph J. Gravely, 
1870-72; Charles P. Johnson, 1872-74; Norman J. Colman, 1874-76; 
Henry C. Brockmeyer, 1876-80; Robert Campbell, 1880, and is the pres- 
ent incumbent. 

Secretaries of State. — Joshua Barton, 1820-21 ; William G. Pettis, 
1821-24; Hamilton R. Gamble, 1824-26; Spencer Pettis, 1826-28; P. H. 
McBride, 1829-30; John C. Edwards, 1830, term expired 1835, re-ap- 
pointed 1837, resigned 1837; Peter G. Glover, 1837-39; James L. Miner, 
1839-45; F. H. Martin, 1845-49; Ephraim B. Ewing, 1849-52; John M. 
Richardson, 1852-56; Benjamin F. Massey, 1856-60, re-elected i860, for 
four years; Mordecai Oliver, 1861-64; Francis Rodman, 1864-68, re- 
elected 1868, for two years; Eugene F. Weigel, 1870-72, re-elected 1872, 
for two years; Michael K. McGrath, 1874, and is the present incumbent. 

State Treasurers. — Peter Didier, 1820-21 ; Nathaniel Simonds, 1821- 
28; James Earickson, 1829-33; John Walker, 1833-38; Abraham McClel- 
lan, 1838-43; Peter G. Glover, 1843-51 ; A. W. Morrison, 1851-60; Geo. 

C. Bingham, 1862-64; William Bishop, 1864-68; William Q. Dallmeyer, 
1868-70; Samuel Hays, 1872; Harvey W. Salmon, 1872-74; Joseph W. 
Mercer, 1874-76; Elijah Gates, 1876-80; Phillip E. Chappel, 1880, and 
present incumbent. 

Attorneys General. — Edward Bates, 1 820-2 1 ; Rufus Easton, 1821-26; 
Robert W. Wells, 1826-36; William B. Napton, 1836-39; S. M. Bay, 
1839-45; B. F. Stringfellow, 1845-49; William A. Roberts, 1849-51; 
James B. Gardenhire, 1851-56; Ephraim W. Ewing, 1856-59; James P. 
Knott, 1859-61; Aikman Welsh, 1861-64; Thomas T. Crittenden, 1864; 
Robert F. Wingate, 1864-68; Horace P. Johnson, 1868-70; A. J. Baker, 
1870-72; Henry Clay Ewing, 1872-74; John A. Hockaday, 1874-76; 
Jackson L. Smith, 1876-80; Mclntire, 1880, and present incumbent. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 43 

Auditors of Public Accounts. — William Christie, 1820-21 ; William 
V. Rector, 1821-23; Elias Barcroft, 1823-33; Henry Shurlds, 1833-35; 
Peter G. Glover, 1835-37; Hiram H. Baber, 1837-45 J William Monroe, 
1845; J. R. McDermon, 1845-48; George W. Miller, 1848-49; Wilson 
Brown, 1849-52; William H. Buffington, 1852-60; William S. Moseley, 
1860-64; Alonzo Thompson, 1864-68; Daniel M. Draper, 1868-72; Geo. 
B. Clark, 1872-74; Thomas Holladay, 1874-80; John Walker, 1880, and 
present incumbent. 

Judges of Supreme Court. — Matthias McKirk, 1822-41 ; John D. 
Cooke, 1822-23; John R. Jones, 1822-24; Rufus Pettibone, 1823-25; 
George Tompkins, 1824-45 ; Robert Walsh, 1825-37; John C. Edwards, 
1837-39; William Scott, appointed 1841 till meeting of General Assem- 
bly, in place of M. McKirk resigned, re-appointed 1843 '■> P- H. McBride, 
1845; William B. Napton, 1849-52; John F. Ryland, 1849-51; John H. 
Birch, 1849-51 ; William Scott, John F. Ryland and Hamilton R. Gamble 
elected by the people 185 1 for six years ; Gamble resigned 1854; Abiel 
Leonard elected to fill vacancy of Gamble ; William B. Napton (vacated 
by failure to file oath), William Scott and John C. Richardson (resigned), 
elected August, 1857, for six years; E. B. Ewing, 1859, to fill Richard- 
son's resignation ; Barton Bates appointed 1862 ; W. V. N. Bay appointed 
1862; John D. S. Dryden, appointed 1862; Barton Bates, 1863-65; W. 
V. N. Bay, elected 1863 ; John D. S. Dryden, elected 1863 ; David Wag- 
ner, appointed 1865 ; Wallace L. Lovelace, appointed 1865 ; Nathaniel 
Holmes, appointed 1865; Thomas J. C. Fagg, appointed 1866; James 
Baker, appointed 1868; David Wagner, elected 1868-70; Philemon 
Bliss, 1868-70; Warren Currier, 1868-71 ; Washington Adams, appointed 
1 87 1 to fill Currier's place, who resigned; Ephraim B. Ewing, elected 
1872; Thomas A. Sherwood, elected 1872; W. B. Napton, appointed 
1873, in place of Ewing, deceased; Edward A. Seins, appointed 1874, in 
place of Adams, resigned; Warwick Hough, elected 1874; William B. 
Napton, elected 1874-80; John E. Henry, 1876-86; Robert Ray suc- 
ceeded William B. Napton in 1880; Elijah H. Norton, appointed in 
1876— elected in 1878. 

United States Senators. — T. H. Benton, 1820-50; D. Barton, 1820- 
30; Alex. Buckner, 1830-33; L. F. Linn, 1833-43; D. R - Atchison, 
1843-55; H. S. Geyer, 1851-57; Jas. M. Green, 1857-61; T. Polk, 1857- 
63 ; Waldo P. Johnson, 1861 ; R.obt. Wilson, 1861 ; B. Gratz Brown, 1863, 
for unexpired term of Johnson; J. B. Henderson, 1863-69; Chas. D. 
Drake, 1867-70; Carl Schurz, 1869-75; D- F. Jewett, 1870, in place of 
Drake, resigned; F. P. Blair, 1871-77; L. V. Bogy, 1873; F. M. Cock- 
rell, 1875-81 ; re-elected 1881 ; Geo. C. Vest, 1879. 

Representatives to Congress. — Jno. Scott, 1820-26: Ed. Bates, 1826- 
28; Spencer Pettis, 1828-31 ; Wm.'H. Ashley, 1831-36; John Bull, 1832- 
34; Albert G. Harrison, 1834-39; J no - Miller, 1836-43; John Jameson. 



44 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

1839-44, re-elected 1846 for two years; Jno. C. Edwards, 1840-42; Jas. 
M. Hughes, 1842-44; Jas. H. Relfe, 1842-46; Jas. B. Bowlin, 1842-50; 
Gustavus M. Boner, 1842-44; Sterling Price, 1844-46; Wm. McDaniel, 
1846; Leonard H. Sims, 1844-46; John S. Phelps, 1844-60; Jas. S. Green, 
1846-50, re-elected 1856, resigned; Willard P. Hall, 1846-53; Wm. V. 
N. Bay, 1848-61; John F. Darby, 1850-53; Gilchrist Porter, 1850-57; 
John G. Miller, 1850-56 ; Alfred W. Lamb, 1852-54; Thos. H. Benton, 
1852-54; Mordecai Oliver, 1852-57; Jas. J. Lindley, 1852-56; Samuel 
Caruthers, 1852-58; Thomas P. Akers, 1855, to fill unexpired term of J. 
G. Miller ; Francis P. Blair, Jr., 1856, re-elected i860, resigned ; Thomas 
L. Anderson, 1856-1860; James Craig, 1856-60; Samuel H. Woodson, 
1856-60; John B. Clark, Sr., 1857-61 ; J. Richard Barrett, i860; John W. 
Noel, 1858-63; James S. Rollins, 1860-64; Elijah H. Norton, 1860-63; 
John W. Reid, 1860-61; William A. Hall, 1862-64; Thomas L. Price, 
1862, in place of Reid, expelled ; Henry T. Blow, 1862-66-; Sempronius 
T. Boyd, elected in 1862, and again in 1868, for two years; Joseph W. 
McClurg, 1862-66; Austin A. King, 1862-64; Benjamin F. Loan, 1862-69; 
John G. Scott, 1863, in place of Noel, deceased; John Hogan, 1864-66; 
Thomas F. Noel, 1864-67; John R. Kelsoe, 1864-66; Root. T. Van 
Horn, 1864-71 ; John F. Benjamin, 1864-71 ; George W. Anderson, 
1864-69; William A. Pile, 1S66-68; C. A. Newcomb, 1866-68; Joseph E. 
Gravely, 1866-68; James R. McCormack, 1866-73; John H. Stover, 1867, 
in place of McClurg, resigned; Erastus Wells, 1868-82; G. A. Finklin- 
burg, 1868-71; Samuel S. Burdett, 1868-71; Joel F. Asper, 1868-70; 
David P. Dyer, 1868-70; Harrison E. Havens, 1870-75 ; Isaac C. Parker, 
1870-75; James G. Blair, 1870-72; Andrew King, 1870-72; Edwin O. 
Stannard, 1872-74; William H. Stone, 1872-78; Robert A. Hatcher, 
elected 1872; Richard P. Bland, 1872; Thomas Crittenden, 1872-74; Ira 
B. Hyde, 1872-74; John B. Clark, 1872-78; John M. Glover, 1872; Aylett 
H. Buckner, 1872; Edward C. Kerr, 1874-78; Charles H. Morgan, 1874*; 
John F. Phelps, 1874; B. J. Franklin, 1874; David Rea, 1874; Rezin A. 
DeBoet, 1874; Anthony Ittner, 1876; Nathaniel Cole, 1876; Robert A. 
Hatcher, 1876-78; R. P. Bland, 1876-78; A. H. Buckner, 1876-78 ; J. B. 
Clark, Jr., 1876-78; T. T. Crittenden, 1876-78; B. J. Franklin, 1876-78; 
Jno. M. Glover, 1876-78; Robert A. Hatcher, 1876-78; Chas. H. Morgan, 
1876-78; L. S. Metcalfe, 1876-78; H. M. Pollard, 1876-78; David Rea, 
1876-78; S. L. Sawyer, 1878-80; N. Ford, 1878-82; G. E. Rothwell, 
1878-82; John B. Clark, Jr., 1878-82; W. H. Hatch, 1878-82; A. H. 
Buckner, 1878-82; M. L. Clardy, 1878-82; R. G. Frost, 1878-82; L. H. 
Davis, 1878-82; R. P. Bland, 1878-82; J. R. Waddill, 1878-80; T. Allen, 
1880-82; R. Hazeltine, 1880-82; T. M. Rice, 1880-82; R. T. Van Horn, 
1880-82, 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
COUNTIES — WHEN ORGANIZED. 



Adair ......... . January 29, 

Andrew January 29, 

Atchison January 14, 

Audrain December 17, 

Barry January 5, 

Barton December 12, 

Bates January 29, 

Benton January 3, 

Bollinger March I, 

Boone November 16, 

Buchanan February 10, 

Butler February 27, 

Caldwell ....... December 26, 

Callaway November 25, 

Camden . January 29, 

Cape Girardeau ...... October 1, 

Carroll January 3, 

Carter March 10, 

Cass. . m : . September 14, 

Cedar. ......... February 14 

Chariton November 16, 

Christian March 8, 

Clark December 15, 

Clay January 2, 

Clinton January 15, 

Cole . November 16, 

Cooper , December 17, 

Crawford . January 23, 

Dade January 29, 

Dallas December 10, 

Daviess December 29, 

DeKalb . February 25, 

Dent February 10, 

Douglas October 19, 

Dunklin . February 14, 

Franklin December n, 

Gasconade . November 25, 

Gentry February 12, 

Greene January 2, 

Grundy January 2, 

Harrison February 14, 

Henry December 13, 

Hickory February 14, 

Holt February 15, 

Howard January 23, 

Howell March 2, 

Iron February 17, 

Jackson December 15, 

Jasper January 29, 

Jefferson December 8, 

Tohnson . December 13, 



841 

845 
836 

835 
835 
841 

835 
851 
820 

839 
849 
836 
820 
841 
812 
833 
859 
835 
845 
820 
860 
818 
822 

833 
820 
818 
829 



836 
845 
851 
857 
845 
818 
820 
841 
833 
843 
845 
834 

845 
841 
816 
857 
857 
826 
841 
818 
834 



Knox February 14, 

Laclede February 24, 

Lafayette November 16, 

Lawrence February 25, 

Lewis January 2, 

Lincoln December 14, 

Linn January 7, 

Livingston January 6, 

McDonald March 3, 

Macon January 6, 

Madison December 14, 

Maries March 2, 

Marion December 23, 

Mercer February 14, 

Miller February 6, 

Mississippi February 14, 

Moniteau February 14, 

Monroe January 6, 

Montgomery ...... December 14, 

Morgan January 5, 

New Madrid October 1, 

Newton December 31, 

Nodaway February 14, 

Oregon ........ February 14, 

Osage January 29, 

Ozark January 29, 

Pemiscot February 19, 

Perry November 16, 

Pettis January 26, 

Phelps ........ November 13, 

Pike December 14, 

Platte December 31, 

Polk March 13, 

Pulaski . . . ..... . December 15, 

Putnam ........ February 28, 

Ralls November 16, 

Randolph January 22, 

Ray November 16, 

Reynolds . February 25, 

Ripley .......... January 5, 

St. Charles October 1, 

St. Clair . . January 29, 

St. Francois December 19, 

Ste. Genevieve October 1, 

St. Louis . October 1, 

Saline . November 25, 

Schuyler February 14, 

Scotland January 29, 

Scott December 28, 

Shannon January 29, 

Shelby January 2, 



45 



84s 
849 
820 

845 
833 
818 

837 
837 
849 
^37 
818 
855 
826 

845 
837 
845 
845 
831 
818 

833 
812 
838 
845 
845 
841 
841 
861 
820 
833 
857 
818 
838 

835 
818 

845 
820 
829 
820 
845 
833 
S12 
841 
821 
812 
812 
820 

845 
841 
821 
841 
§35 



46 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

COUNTIES— WHEN ORGANIZED.— Continued. 



Stoddard January 2, 1835 

Stone February 10, 185 1 

Sullivan February 16, 1845 

Taney January 16, 1837 

Texas February 14. 1835 

Vernon February 17,1851 



Warren January 5, 1S33 

Washington August 21, 1S13 

Wayne December II, 1S1S 

Webster March 3, 1855 

Worth February 8, 1S61 

Wright January 29. i6.;i 



CHAPTER VIII. 
EARLY MILITARY RECORD. 

BLACK HAWK WAR-MORMON DIFFICULTIES-FLORIDA WAR— MEXICAN WAR. 

On the 14th day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took place 
between the regular forces of the United States, and a part of the Sacs, 
Foxes and Winnebago Indians, commanded by Black' Hawk and 
Keokuk, near Dixon's Ferry, in Illinois. 

The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages would 
invade the soil of his state, ordered Major-General Richard Gentry to 
raise one thousand volunteers for the defense of the frontier. Five com- 
panies were at once raised in Boone County, and in Callaway, Mont- 
gomery, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe 
other companies were raised. 

Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John 
Jaimison, of Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman, of Boone County, 
were mustered into service in July for thirty days, and put under com- 
mand of Major Thomas W. Conyeis. 

This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort 
Pike on the 15th of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not crossed 
the Mississippi into Missouri, General Gentry returned to Columbia, 
leaving the fort in charge of Major Conyers. Thirty days having expired, 
the command under Major Conyers was relieved by two other com- 
panies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, and Patrick Ewing, 
of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by Col. Austin 
A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major Conyers home. 
Major Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where he remained until 
September following, at which time the Indian troubles, so far as Mis- 
souri was concerned, having all subsided, the frontier forces were mus- 
tered out of service. 

Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally 
defeated and captured in 1833. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 47 

MORMON DIFFICULTIES. 

In 1832, Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormons, and the chosen 
prophet and apostle, as he claimed, of the Most High, came with many 
followers to Jackson County, Missouri, where they located and entered 
several thousand acres of land. 

The object of his coming so far west — upon the very outskirts of 
civilization at that time — was to more securely establish his church, 
and the more effectively to instruct his followers in its peculiar tenets 
and practices. 

Upon the present town site of Independence the Mormons located 
their "Zion" and gave it the name of "The New Jerusalem." They pub 
lished here the Evening Star, and made themselves generally obnox- 
ious to the Gentiles, who were then in the minority, by their denunciatory 
articles through their paper, their clannishness and their polygamous 
practices. 

Dreading the demoralizing influence of a paper which seemed to be 
inspired only with hatred and malice toward them, the Gentiles threw 
the press and type into the Missouri river, tarred and feathered one of 
their bishops, and otherwise gave the Mormons and their leaders to> 
understand that they must conduct themselves in an entirely different 
manner if they wished to be let alone. 

After the destruction of their paper and press they became furiously 
incensed, and sowght many opportunities for retaliation. Matters con- 
tinued in an uncertain condition until the 31st of October, 1833, when a 
deadly conflict occurred near Westport, in which two Gentiles and one 
Mormon were killed. 

On the 2d of November following the Mormons were overpowered, 
and compelled to lay down their arms and agree to leave the country 
with their families by January 1st, on the condition that the owner 
would be paid for his printing press. 

Leaving Jackson County, they crossed the* Missouri and located in 
Clay, Carroll, Caldwell and otfrer counties, and selected in Caldwell 
County a town site, which they called " Far West," and where they 
entered more land for their future homes. 

Through the influence of their missionaries, who were exerting 
themsefves in the East and in different portions of Europe, converts had 
constantly flocked to their standard, and "Far West" and other Mormon 
settlements rapidly prospered. 

In 1837 they commenced the erection of a magnificent temple, but 
never finished it. As their settlements increased in numbers they 
became bolder in their practices and deeds of lawlessness. 

During the summer of 1838 two of their leaders settled in the town 
of DeWitt, on the Missouri River, having purchased the land from an 



48 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Illinois merchant. DeWitt was in Carroll County, and a good point 
from which to forward goods and immigrants to their town — Far West. 

Upon its being ascertained that these parties were Mormon leaders, 
the Gentiles called a public meeting, which was addressed by some of 
the prominent citizens of the county. Nothing, however, was done at 
this meeting, but at a subsequent meeting, which was held a few days 
afterward, a committee of citizens was appointed to notify Colonel 
Hinkle (one of the Mormon leaders at DeWitt), what they intended to do. 

Col. Hinkle,' upon being notified by this committee, became indig- 
nant, and threatened extermination to all who should attempt to molest 
him or the Saints. 

In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would 
attempt to force them from DeWitt, Mormon recruits flocked to the town 
from every direction, and pitched their tents in and around the town in 
great numbers. 

The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this encamp- 
ment, to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and, accordingly, 
one hundred and fifty men bivouacked near the town on that day. A 
conflict ensued, but nothing serious occurred. 

The Mormons evacuated their works and fled to some, log houses, 
where they could the more successfully resist the Gentiles, who had in 
the meantime returned to their camp to await reinforcements. Troops 
from Howard, Ray and other counties came to their assistance, and 
increased their number to five hundred men. 

Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier General ; Ebenezer Price, 
Colonel ; Singleton Vaughn, Lieutenant Colonel, and Sarchel Woods, 
Major. After some days of discipline, this brigade prepared for an 
assault, but before the attack was commenced Judge James Earickson 
and William F. Dunnica, influential citizens of Howard County, asked 
permission of General Jackson to let them try and adjust the difficulties 
without any bloodshed. t 

It was finally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the 
Mormons that, if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed 
belonging to the citizens, and load their wagons during the night and be 
ready to move by ten o'clock next morning, and make no further attempt 
to settle in Howard County, the citizens would purchase at first cost their 
lots in DeWitt and one or two adjoining tracts of land. 

Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts 
to settle the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposition. 

In accordance therewith, the Mormons, without further delay, loaded 
up their wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell County. Whether 
the terms of the agreement were ever carried out on the part of the cit- 
izens, is not known. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 49 

The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways — the 
result of their own acts — but their trials and sufferings were not at an 
end. 

In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so 
great that Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering Major General 
David R. Atchison to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws. 
He called out a part of the First Brigade of the Missouri state militia, 
under command of General A. W. Doniphan, who proceeded to the seat 
of war. General John B. Clark, of Howard County, was placed in com- 
mand of the militia. 

The Mormon forces numbered about 1,000 men, and were led by G. 
W. Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked River, where 
one Mormon was killed. The principal fight took place at Haughn's 
Mills, where eighteen Mormons were killed and the balance captured, 
some of them being killed after they had surrendered. Only one militia- 
man was wounded. 

In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of 
Far West to General Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz : That 
they should deliver up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for 
trial, and the remainder of the Mormons should, with their families, 
leave the State. Indictments were found against a number of these 
leaders, including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to Boone County 
for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844, killed at Carthage, 
Illinois, with his brother Hyrum. 

FLORIDA WAR. 

In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on 
Governor Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers, for service in 
Florida against the Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had 
made common cause under Osceola. 

The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone County by Colonel 
Richard Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel ; John W. Price, of 
Howard County, Lieutenant Colonel ; Harrison H. Hughes, also of 
Howard, Major. Four companies of the Second regiment were raised 
and attached to the First. Two of these companies were composed of 
Delaware and Osage Indians. 

October 6, 1837, Colonel Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the 
seat of war, stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were 
mustered into service. 

Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence 
transported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General 
Zachary Taylor, who then commanded in Florida, ordered Colonel 
Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee Lake, one hundred and thirty-five 
miles inland by the route traveled. Having reached the Kissimmee 



50 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

River, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued in which Colonel 
Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant leader, 
continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leaving many 
of their dead and wounded on the field. There being no further service 
required of the Missourians, they returned to their homes in 1838. 

MEXICAN WAR. 

Soon after Mexico declared war against the United States, on the 
8th and 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma were fought. Great excitement prevailed throughout the country. 
In none of her sister states however, did the fires of patriotism burn 
more intensely than in Missouri. Not waiting for the call for volunteers* 
the "St. Louis Legion" hastened to the field of conflict. The Legion 
was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton. During the month of May, 
1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for voluoteers to join the 
*'Army of the West," an expedition to the Santa Fe — under command 
of General Stephen W. Kearny. 

Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers. 
By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the 
First Regiment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Frank- 
lin, Cole, Howard and Callaway Counties. Of this regiment A. W. Don- 
iphan was made Colonel ; C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William 
Gilpin, Major. The battalion of light artillery from St. Louis, was com- 
manded by Captains R. A. Weightman and A. W. Fischer, with Major 
M. L. Clark as field officer; battalions of infantry from Platte and Cole 
Counties, commanded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. Augney, respect- 
ively, and the " Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Captain Thomas B. 
Hudson, aggregating, all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the summer 
of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress, and raised one 
mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion 
of Mormon infantry to reinforce the "Army of the West." Mr. Price was 
made Colonel, and D. D. Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one 
thousand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once. 
John Dougherty, of Clay County, was chosen Colonel, but before the regi- 
ment marched the President- countermanded the order. 

A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls County, com- 
manded by Captain Wm. T. Lalfland. Conspicuous among the engage- 
ments in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were 
the battles of Brazito, Sacramento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa 
Cruz de Rosales. The forces from Missouri were mustered out in 1848, 
uid will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexican war, for 

"A thousand glorious actions that might claim 
Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame." 



HISTORY OF MI SO URL $1 

CHAPTER IX. 
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. 



FORT SUMTER FIRED UPON-CALL FOR 75,000 MEN— GOV. JACKSON REFUSES TO FUR- 
NISH A MA\ T -U. S. ARSENAL AT LIBERTY, MO, SEIZED-PROCLAMATION OF GOV- 
ERNOR JACKSON — GENERAL ORDER NO. 7 - LEGISLATURE CONVENES — CAMP 
JACKSON Or GANIZED-STERLING PRICE APPOINTED MAJOR-GENERAL-FROST'S 
LETTER TO 1 YON— LYON'S LELTER TO FROST-SURRENDER OF CAMP JACKSON— 
PROCLAMATON OF GEN HARNEY -CONFERENCE BETWEEN PRICE AND HARNEY- 
HARNEY SUI ERSEDED BY LYON-SECOND CONFERENCE-GOV. JACKSON BURNS 
THE BRIDGES BhHIND HIM - PROCLAMATION OF GOV. JACKSON-GEN. BLAIR TAKES 
POSSESSION OF JEFFERSON CITY-PROCLAMATION OF LYON— LYON AT SPRINGFIELD 
-STATE OFFICES DECLARED VACANT-GEN. FREMONT ASSUMES COMMAND -PRO 
CLAMATION OF LIEUT. GOV. REYNOLDS - PRO JL^MATION OF JEFF. THOMPSON 
AND GOV. JACKSON— DEATH OF GEN. LYON— SUCCEEDED BY STURGIS— PROCLAMA- 
TION OF M'CULLOCH AND GAMBLE - MARTIAL LAW DECLARED-SECOND PRO- 
CLAMATION OF JEFF. THOMPSON-PRESIDENT MODIFIES FREMONT'S ORDER-FRE- 
MONT RELIEVED BY HUNTER— PROCLAMATION OF PRICE-HUNTER'.-. ORDER OF 
ASSESSMENT -HUNTER DECLARES MARTIAL LAW - ORDER RELATING TO NEWS- 
PAPER3-HALLECK SUCCEEDS HUNTER-HALLECK'S ORDER 81 -SIMILAR ORDER BY 
HALLECK -BOONE COUNTY STANDARD CONFISCATED-EXECUTION OF PRISONERS 
AT MACON AND PALMYRA-GEN. EWING'S ORDER NO. n-GEN". ROSECRANS TAKES 
COMMAND-MASSACRE AT CENTRALIA-DEATH OF BILL ANDERSON-GEN. DODGE 
SUCCEEDS GEN. ROSECRANS-LIST OF BATTLES. 

•• Lastly stood war — 
With visige grim, stern looks, and blackly hued, 
****** * 

Ah ! why will kings forget that they are men ? 
And men that they are brethren? Why delight 
In human sacrifice ? Why burst the ties 
Of nature that should knit their souls together 
In one bond of amity and love?" 

Fort Sumter wss fired upon April 12, 1861. On April 15th, President 
Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for 75,ooo men, from the militia 
of the several states, to suppress combinations in the Southern States 
therein named. Simultaneously therewith the secretary of war sent a 
telegram to all the governors of the states, excepting those mentioned 
in the proclamation, requesting them to detail a certain number of 
militia to serve for three months, Missouri's quota being four regiments. 

In response to this telegram Gov. Jackson sent the following answer: 

Executive Department of Missouri, 
Jefferson City, April 17, 1861. 

To the Hon. Simon Cameron, 

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. : 

Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th inst, making a call on Missouri 

for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. 

There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form 

a part of the President's army to make war upon the people of the 



12 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconsti- 
tutional, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the State of 
Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war. 

C. F. JACKSON, 

Governor of Missouri. 

April 21, 1861. U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was seized by order of 
Governor Jackson. 

April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening 
the Legislature of Missouri in May following, in extra session, to take 
into consideration the momentuous issues, which were presented, and 
the attitude to be assumed by the state in the impending struggle. 

On the 22nd of April, 1861, the Adjutant-General of Missouri issued 
the following military order : 

Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo., 
Jefferson City, April 22, 1861. 
{General Order No. 7.) 

I. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organi- 
zation and discipline, the commanding officers of ih 1 several military 
districts in this state, having four or more legally 1 rg nized companies 
therein, whose armories are within fifteen miles of eacii other, will assem- 
ble their respective commands at some place to be by them severally 
designated, on the 3rd of May, and to go into an encampment for a 
period of six days as provided by law. Captains of companies not organ- 
ized into battalions, will report the strength of their companies immedi- 
ately to these headquarters, and await further orders. 

II. The quartermaster-general will procure and issue to quarter- 
masters of districts, for these commands not now provided for, all nec- 
essary tents and camp equipage, to enable the .commanding officers 
thereof to carry the foregoing orders into effect. 

III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion, 
and one company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers 
belonging to the First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis and 
report to Gen. D. M. Frost for duty. The remaining companies of said 
battalion will be disbanded for the purpose of assisting in the organiza- 
tion of companies upon that frontier. The details in the execution of 
the foregoing are intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel John S. Bowen, com- 
manding the battalion. 

IV. The strength, organization and equipment of the several com- 
panies in the districts will be reported at once to these headquarters, 
and district inspectors will furnish all information which may be servic- 
able in ascertaining the condition of state forces. 

By order of the Governor. 

WARWICK HOUGH, 

Adjutant-General of Missouri. 

May 2, 1861. The Legislature convened in extra session. Many 
acts were passed among which was one to authorize the Governor to 
purchase or lease David Ballantine's foundry, at Boonville, for the man- 
ufacture of arms and munitions of war ; to authorize the governor to 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 53 

appoint one major-general ; to authorize the governor, when in his opinion 
the security and welfare of the state required it, to take possession 
of the railroad and telegraph lines of the state ; to provide for the organ- 
ization, government and support of the military forces ; to borrow one 
million of dollars to arm and equip the militia of the state to repel 
invasion and protect the lives and property, of the people. An act was 
also passed creating a "Military Fund," to consist of all the money then 
in the treasury or that might thereafter be received from the one-tenth 
of one per cent, on the hundred dollars, levied by act of November, 1857, 
to complete certain railroads ; also the proceeds of a tax of fifteen cents 
on the hundred dollars of the assessed value of the taxable property of 
the several counties in the state, and the proceeds of the two mill tax, 
which had been theretofore appropriated for educational purposes. 

May 3, 1861. "Camp Jackson" was organized. 

May 10, 1861. Sterling Price appointed major-general of state 
guard. 

May 10, 1861. General Frost, commanding "Camp Jackson," 
addiessed General N. Lyon, as follows: 

Headquarters Camp Jackson, Missouri Militia. 

May 10, 1861. 

Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding United States Troops in and about St. 

Louis Arsenal: 

Sir: — I am constantly in receipt of information that you contem- 
plate an attack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed 
with the idea that an attack upon the arsenal and United States troops 
is intended on the part of the Militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a 
loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens of the United 
States, who are in lawful performance of their duties, devolving upon 
them under the constitution in organizing and instructing the militia of 
the state in obedience to her laws, and, therefore, have been disposed to 
doubt the correctness of the information I have received. 

I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any 
truth in the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So 
far as regards any hostility being intended toward the United States, 
or its property or representatives by any portion of my command, or, as 
far as I can learn, (and I think I am fully informed,) of any other part of 
the state forces, I can positively say that the idea has never been enter- 
tained. On the contrary, prior to your taking command of the arsenal, 
I proffered to Mayor Bell, then in command of the very few troops con- 
stituting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, and, if 
necessary, the whole power of the state, to protect the United States 
in the full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking 
command of this department, I made the some proffer of services to him, 
and authorized his Adjutant General, Captain Williams, to communicate 
the fact that such had been done to the War Department. I have had 
no occasion since to change any of the views I entertained at the time, 
neither of my own volition nor through the orders of my constitutional 
commander. 



54 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by 
fully understanding each other, to keep far from our borders the misfor- 
tunes which so unhappily affect our common country. 

This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my 
Chief of Staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in 
the foregoing. 

I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 

. 3RIGADIER GENERAL D. M. FROST, 

Commanding Camp Jackson, 31. V. HI. 

May 10, 1861. General Lyon sent the following to General Frost: 

Headquarters United States Troops, 
St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861. 

General D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson :' 

SIR : — Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the 
Government of the United States. 

It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have 
openly avowed their hostility to the general government, and have been 
plotting at the seizure of its property and the overthrow of its authority, 
You are openly in communication with the so-called Southern Confed- 
eracy, which is now at war with the United States, and you are receiv- 
ing at your camp, from the said Confederacy and under its flag, large 
supplies of the material of war, most of which is known to be the prop- 
erty of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plainly 
indicate none other than the well-known purpose of the Governor of this 
state, under whose orders you are acting, and whose communication to 
the Legislature has just been responded to by that body in the most 
unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostilities to the general 
government and co-operation with its enemies. 

In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in 
obedience to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent 
necessities of state policy and warfare, and the obligations imposed upon 
me by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do 
hereby demand of you an immediate surrender of your command, with 
no other conditions than that all persons surrendering under this com- 
mand shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing myself prepared 
to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so will be 
allowed for your compliance therewith. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. LYON, 
Capt, 2d Infantry, Commanding Troops. 

May 10, 1861. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all released 
excepting Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to subscribe the parole. 

May 12, 1861. Brigadier General Wm. S. Harney issued a procla- 
mation to the people of Missouri, saying, "he would carefully abstain 
from the exercise of anv unnecessary powers," and only use "the military 
force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve peace." 

M iy 14, 1801. General Harney issued a second proclamation. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 55 

May 21, 1861. General Harney held a conference with General 
Sterling Price, of the Missouri State Guards. 

May 31, 1 861. General Harney superseded by General Lyon. 

June n s 1861 A second conference was held between the national 
and state authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing. 

June 11, 1861. Governor Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City, 
burning the railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires. 

June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation calling 
into active service 50,000 militia, "to repel invasion, protect life, prop- 
erty, etc." 

June 15, 1 861. Colonel F P. Blair took possession of the state capi- 
tal, Governor Jackson, General Price and other officers having left on 
the 13th of June for Boonville. 

June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces of 
General Lyon and Colonel John S. Marmaduke. 

June 18, 1861. G2neral Lyon issued a proclamation to the people 
of Missouri. 

July 5, 1861. Battle at Carthage between the forces of General 
Sigel and Governor Jackson. 

July 6, 1861. General Lyon reached Springfield. 

July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared the offices of 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State vacated. 

July 26, 1861. General John C. Fremont assumed command of the 
Western Department, with headquarters in St. Louis. 

July 31, 1861. Lieutenant Governor Thomas C. Reynolds issued a 
proclamation at New Madrid. 

August 1, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation at 
Bloomfield. 

August 2, 1861. Battle of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's 
forces and General Rains. 

August 5, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New 
Madrid. 

August 5, 1861. Battle of Athens. 

August 10, 1861. Battle of Wilson's Creek, between the forces 
under General Lyon and General McCulloch. In this engagemeet Gen- 
eral Lyon was killed. General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon. 

August 12, 1861. McCulloch issued a proclamation, and soon left 
Missouri. 

August 20, 1861. General Price issued a proclamation. 

August 24, 1861. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation calling 
for 32,000 men for six months, to protect the property and lives of the 
citizens of the state. 

August 30, 1861. General Fremont declared martial law, and 
declared that the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an 
active part with the enemies of the Government should be free. 



56 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

September 2, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation 
in response to Fremont's proclamation. 

September 7, 1861. Battle at Drywood Creek. 

September 11, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in Gen- 
eral Fremont's declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation 
of property and liberation of slaves. 

September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Springfield 
on Colonel Mulligan's forces. 

September 20, 1861. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men surrendered. 

October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield. 

November 2, 1861. General Fremont succeeded by General David 
Hunter. 

November 7, i e 86i. General Grant attacked Belmont. 

November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck, 
who took command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in St. 
Louis. 

November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for 
50,000 men, at Neosho, Missouri. 

December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assessment 
upon certain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and clothing Union 
refugees. 

December 23-25, 1861. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the 
country adjacent, and covering all the railroad lines. 

March 6, 1862. Battle at Pea Ridge between the forces under Gen- 
erals Curtis and Van Dorn. 

January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the 
following order in reference to newspapers : • 

Office of the Provost Marshal, 
General Department of Missouri, 
St. Louis, January 8, 1862. 
{General Order No. 10.) 

It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the publishers of 
newspapers in the State of Missouri, (St. Louis city papers excepted), 
furnish to this office, immediately upon publication, one copy of each 
issue, for inspection. A failure to comply with this order will render the 
newspaper liable to suppression. 

Local Provost Marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of 
this order, and attend to its immediate enforcement. 

BERNARD G. FARRAR, 
Provost Marshal General. 

January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 18) which for- 
bade, among other things, the display of Secession flags in the hands of 
women or on carriages, in the vicinity of the military prison in McDow- 
ell's College, the carriages to be confiscated and the offending women to 
be arrested. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI 57 

Februarys 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to 
Order No. 18, to railway companies, and to the professors and directors 
of the State University at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the institu- 
tion to be used "to teach treason or to instruct traitors." 

February 20, 1862. Special Order No. 120 convened a military com- 
mission, which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Edmund J. 
Ellis, of Columbia, editor and proprietor of the Boone County Standard, 
for the publication of information for the benefit of the enemy, and 
encouraging resistance to the United States Government. Ellis was 
found guilty, was banished during the war from Missouri, and his print- 
ing materials confiscated and sold. 

April, 1862. General Halleck left for Corinth, Mississippi, leaving 
General Schofield in command. 

June, 1862. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under 
Colonel Joseph C. Porter and Colonel H. S. Lipscomb. 

June, 1862. Battle at Pierce's Mill between the forces under Major 
John Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter. 

July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida. 

July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore's Mill. 

August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville 

August 11, 1862. Battle at Independence. 

August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack. 

September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia. 

September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at 
Macon by order of General Merrill. 

October 18, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra 
by order of General McNeill. 

January 8, 1863. Battle at Springfield between the foces of General 
Marmaduke and General E. B. Brown. 

April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau. 

August — , 1863. General Jeff. Thompson captured at Pocahontas, 
Arkansas, with his staff. 

August 25, 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated 
Order No. 11, at Kansas City, Missouri, which is as follows: 

Headquarters District of the Border, 
Kansas City, Mo., August 25, 1863. 

(" General Order No. //.") 

First. — All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates Counties, Mis- 
souri, and in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those 
living within one mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills, 
Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville, and except those in that part of Kaw 
Township, Jackson County, north of Brush Creek and west of the Big 
Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are hereby ordered to remove 
from their present places of residence within fifteen days from the date 
hereof. 



58 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfac- 
tion of the commanding officer of the military station nearest their 
present places of residence, will receive from him certificates stating the 
fact of their loyalty, and the names of the witnesses by whom it can be 
shown. All who receive such certificate will be permitted to remove to 
any military station in this district, or to any part of the State of Kansas, 
except the counties on the eastern borders of the state. All others shall 
remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and detach- 
ments serving in the counties named, will see that this paragraph is 
promptly obeyed. 

Second. — All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the dis- 
trict from which the inhabitants are required to remove, within reach of 
military stations, after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to 
such stations and turned over to the proper officer there, and report of 
the amount so turned over made to district headquarters, specifying the 
names of all loyal owners and the amount of such produce taken from 
them. All grain and hay found in such district after the 9th day of Sep- 
tember next, not convenient to such stations, will be destroyed. 

Third. — The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these head- 
quarters, will at once be vigorously executed by officers commanding in 
the parts of the district, and at stations not subject to the operations of 
paragraph First of this Order — and especially in the towns of Independ- 
ence, Westport and Kansas City. 

Fourth — Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who 
have borne arms against the government in the district since August 20, 
1863. 

By order of Brigadier-General Ewing. 

H. HANNAHS, Adjutant. 

October 12-13, 1863. Battle of Arrow Creek. 

January, 1864. General Rosecrans takes command of the depart- 
ment. 

September, 1864. Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Mor- 
ceau River. 

September 27, 1864. Massacre at Centralia, by Captain William 
Anderson. 

October 5, 1864. Battle at Prince's Ford and James Gordon's farm. 

October 15, 1864. Battle at Glasgow. 

October 20, 1864. Battle at Little Blue Creek. 

October 27, 1864. Capt. Anderson killed. 

December — , 1864. General Rosecrans relieved, and General 
Dodge appointed to succeed him. 

Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the state, 
after December, 1864. We have, in the main, given the facts as they 
occurred, without comment or entering into details. Many of the 
minor incidents and skirmishes of the war have been omitted because 
of our limited space. 

It is utterly impossible, at this date, to give the names and dates of 
all the battles fought in Missouri during the civil war. It will be found, 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 59 

however, that the list given below, which has been arranged for conven- 
ience, contains the prominent battles and skirmishes which took place 

within the State : 

Potosi, May 14, 1S61. 
Booneville, June 17, 1861. 
Carthage, July 5, 1861. 
Monroe Station, July 10, 1861. 
Overton's Run, July 17, 1861. 
Dug Spring, August 2, 1861. 
Wilson's Creek, August 9, 1861. 
Athens, August 5, 1861. 
Moreton, August 20, 1861 
Bennett's Mills, September — , 1861. 
Drywood Creek, September 7, 1861. 
Norfolk, September 10, 1861. 
Lexington, September 12-20, 1861. 
Blue Mills Landing, September 17, 1861. 
Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 186E. 
Osceola, September 25, 1861. 
Shanghai, October 13, 1861. 
Lebanon, October 13, 186 1. 
Linn Creek, October 15, 1861. 
Big River Bridge, October 15, 1861. 
Fredericktown, October 21, 1861. 
Springfield, October 25, 1861. 
Belmont, November 7, 1861. 
Piketon, November 8, 1861. 
Little Blue, November 10, 1861. 
Clark's Station, November n, 1861. 
Zion Church, December 28, 1861. 
Silver Creek, January 15, 1862. 
New Madrid, February 28, 1862. 
Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862. 

Neosho, April 22, 1862. 

Rose Hill, July 10, 1862. 

Chariton River, July 30, 1862. 

Cherry Grove, June — , 1862. 

Pierce's Mill, June — , 1862. 

Florida, July 22, 1862. 

Moore's Mill, July 28, 1862. 

Kirksville, August 6, 1862. 

Compton's Ferry, August 8, 1862 

Yellow Creek, August 13, 1862. 



60 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Independence, August II, 1862. 
Lone Jack, August 16, 1862. 
Newtonia, September 13, 1862. 
Springfield, January 8, 1863. 
Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863. 
Arrow Rock, October 12 and 13, 1863. 
Pilot Knob, September — , 1864. 
Harrison, September — , 1864 
Moreau River, October 7, 1864. 
Prince's Ford, October 5, 1864. 
Glasgow, October 15, 1864. 
Little Blue Creek, October 20, 1864. 
Albany, October 27, 1864. 
Near Rocheport, September 23, 1864. 
Centralia, September 27, 1864. 



CHAPTER X. 

AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH. 

MISSOURI AS AN AGRICULTURAL STATE— THE DIFFERENT CROPS-LIVE STOCK-HOfoSK 
MULES— MILCH COWS-OXEN AND OTHER CATTLE— SHEEP- HOGS— COMPARISONS- 
MISSOURI ADAPTED TO LIVE STOCK-COTTON— BROOM-CORN AND OTHER PRO- 
DUCTS-FRUITS—BERRIES—GRAPES—RAILROADS-FIRST NEIGH OF THE " IROK 
HORSE" IN MISSOURI— NAMES OF RAILROADS— MANUFACTURES-GREAT BRIDGE 
AT ST. LOUIS. 

Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the 
first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens population ; 
it creates and maintains manufactures ; gives employment to navigation, 
and furnishes materials to commerce. It animates every species of indus- 
try, and opens to nations the safest channels of wealth. It is the strong- 
est bond of well-regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, and 
the natural associate of correct morals. Among all the occupations and 
professions of life there is none more honorable, none more independent 
and none more conducive to health and happiness. 

*'In ancient times the sacred plow employ'd 
The kings, and awful fathers of mankind; 
And some, with whom compared, your insect tribes 
Are but the beings of a summer's day, 
Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm 
Of mighty war with unwearied hand, 
Disdaining little delicacies, seized 
The plow and greatly independent lived." 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 6l 

As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any state in 
the Union. It is indeed the farmer's kingdom, where he always reaps 
an abundant harvest. The soil, in many portions of the state, has an 
open, flexible structure, quickly absorbs the most excessive rains, and 
retains moisture with great tenacity. This being the case it is not so 
easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered with sweet, luxuri- 
ant grass, equally good for grazing and hay ; grass not surpassed by the 
Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy in growing and 
fattening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it 
was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the antelope and the deer, 
and costs the herdsman nothing. 

No state or territory has a more complete or rapid system of nat- 
ural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water, than 
Missouri. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand 
perennial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from the hillsides and 
wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling prairies, 
varying in size as they onward flow, from the diminutive brooklet to the 
giant river. 

Here nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate, 
soil and scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in 
the sweat of his brow. Being thus munificiently endowed, Missouri 
offers superior inducements to the farmer, and bids him enter her broad 
domain and avail himself of her varied resources. 

We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop 
in Missouri for 1878. 

Indian Corn 93,062,000 bushels 

Wheat 20,196 000 " 

Rye 732,000 " 

Oats I9,5 8 4 000 " 

Buckwheat 46,400 «« 

Potatoes • 5.4I5. 000 " 

Tobacco 23,023,000 pounds 

Hay ........•.•...•••>• 1,620,000 tons 

There were 3,522,000 acres in corn ; wheat, 1,836,000; rye, 48,800; 
cats, 640,000 ; buckwheat, 2,900 ; potatoes, 72,200 ; tobacco, 29,900 ; hay; 
850,000. Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,224; wheat, $13,531,320; 
rye, $300,120; oats, $3,325,120 ; buckwheat, $24,128 ; potatoes, $2,057,- 
700; tobacco, $1,151,150; hay, $10,416,600. 

Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69 ; average yield of corn 
per acre, 26 bushels ; wheat, 1 1 bushels. 

Next in importance to the com crop in value is the live stock. The 
following table shows the number of horses, mules and milch cows in 
the different states for 1C79 : 



62 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



STATES. 

Maine . . 



HORSES. 

• ••••••••••••••••• Si, 700 

New Hampshire •••••••••• 57,100 

Vermont •••••••••••••• 77 4°° 

Massachusetts •••••• 131.000 

Rhode Island 16,200 

Connecticut ••••••. S3 5°° 

New York 898,000 

New Jersey 114,500 

Pennsylvania ••••••• 614 500 

Delaware ............. 19,900 

Maryland 108600 

Virginia 208 700 

North Carolina 144,200 

South Carolina . . 59, 600 

Georgia 119.200 

Florida ..................... 22,400 

Alabama 112,800 

Mississippi 97 200 

Louisiana .., 79.300 

Texas 618.000 

Arkansas 180,500 

Tennessee 329 700 

West Virginia 122,200 

■Kentucky 386,900 

Ohio 772,700 

Michigao , 333,800 

Indiana 688,800 

Illinois 1,100,000 

Wisconsin 384 400 

Minnesota 247,300 

Iowa 770.700 

Missouri 627,300 

Kansas 265,000 

Nebraska 157,200 

California 173,000 

Oregon 109,700 

Nevada, Colorado, and Territories 250,000 

It will be seen from the above table that Missouri is the fifth state 
in the number of horses ; fifth in number of milch cows, and the lead- 
ing state in number of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas, which 
produces the next largest number. Of oxen and cattle Missouri pro- 
duced in 1879, 1,632,000, which was more than any other state pro- 
duced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,000. In 1879, Missouri raised 
2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other state produced excepting 
Iowa. The number of sheep was 1,296,400. The number of hogs packed 
in 1879 by the different states is as follows: 



MULE3. 


MILCH COWS. 


. . . 


169 IOO 


... 


98,100 


... 


217 800 


• • • 


160 700 


. . . 


22.00c 


. . . 


116,500 


1 1 ,800 


I 446 2CO 


14 400 


152,200 


24,900 


828,400 


4OOO 


23 200 


II 300 


100,500 


30,600 


236,200 


74,000 


232300 


5I.500 


131,300 


97,200 


273,100 


11 900 


70 000 


in 700 


215,200 


100,000 


188,000 


80,700 


110,900 


180,200 


544,500 


89,300 


187,700 


99.700 


245,700 


2 400 


130,500 


117,800 


237 200 


26 700 


714,100 


4,300 


416 900 


61 200 


439,200 


138,000 


702,400 


8,700 


477.300 


7,000 


27S 900 


43.400 


676 200 


191,900 


516,200 


50,000 


321.900 


13,600 


127 600 


25,700 


459,600 


3.5oo 


I 12 4OO 


25,700 


423 600 



STATES. NO. 

Ohio 932,878 

Indiana 622,321 

Illinois 3,214,896 

Iowa 569,763 



STATES. NO. 

Missouri 965 839 

Wisconsin 472,10s 

Kentucky 212 412 



History of missou . 63 

Average weight per head for each state : 

STATES. POUNDS. STATES. POUNDS. 

Ohio 210.47 Missouri 213.32 

Indiana 19380 Wisconsin 22081 

Illinois 225.71 Kentucky 210 11 

Iowa 211 98 

From the above, it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more 
hogs than any other state, except Illinois, and that she ranks third in 
the average weight. 

We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock- 
raising state of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of corn 
and oats upon which the stock is largely dependent, the climate is well 
adapted to their growth and health. Water is not only inexhaustible, 
but everywhere convenient. The ranges for stock are boundless, afford- 
ing for nine months of the year, excellent pasturage of nutritious wild 
grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon her thousand prairies. 

Cotton is grown successfully in many counties of the southeastern 
portions of the state, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscott, Butler, 
New Madrid, Lawrence and Mississippi. 

Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure 
but profitable. 

Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas and hops, 
thrive well, and all kinds of garden vegetables are produced in great 
abundance and are found in the markets during all seasons of the year. 
Fruits of every variety, including the apple, pear, peach, cherries, apricots 
and nectarines are cultivated with great success, as are also the straw- 
berry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and blackberry. 

The grape has not been produced with that success that was at first 
anticipated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879 was nearly half a 
million gallons. Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why 
they should not be as surely and profitably grown in a similar climate 
and soil in Missouri, and particularly in many of the counties north and 
east of the Missouri River. 

RAILROADS. 

Twenty-nine years ago the neigh of the "iron horse" was heard for 
the first time within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming pres- 
aged the dawn of a brighter and grander era in the history of the state. 
Her fertile prairies and more prolific valleys would soon be of easy access 
to the oncoming tide of immigration, and the ores and minerals of her 
hills and mountains would be developed and utilized in her manufactur- 
ing and industrial enterprises. 

Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and 
commerce; transportation from the interior of the state would be secured; 



64 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

a fresh impetus would be given to the growth of her towns and cities, 
and new hopes and inspirations would be imparted to all her people. 

Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, between 
four and five thousand miles of track have been laid ; additional roads 
are now being constructed and many others in contemplation. The 
state is already supplied with railroads which thread her surface in all 
directions, bringing her remotest districts into close connection with St. 
Louis, that great centre of western railroads and inland commerce. 
These roads have a capital stock aggregating more than one hundred 
millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the same amount. 

The lines of railroads which are operated in the state are the fol- 
lowing : 

Missouri Pacific — chartered May 10th, 1850; the St. Louis, Iron 
Mountain & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkansas 
Branch ; the Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad ; the Cairo & Fulton 
Railroad ; the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway ; the St. 
Louis & San Francisco Railway ; the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis' Rail- 
road ; the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad ; the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railroad ; the Illinois, Missouri & Texas Railroad ; Hie Kansas 
City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad ; the Keokuk & Kansas City 
Railway Company ; the St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Railroad Com- 
pany ; the Missouri & Western ; the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern ; 
the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; the Missouri, Iowa & 
Nebraska Railway ; the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad ; the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; the Burlington & Southwestern 
Railroad ; the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the St. 
Joseph & Des Moines. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great man- 
ufacturing state. She is rich in soil ; rich in all the elements which sup- 
ply the furnace, the machine shop and the planing mill ; rich in the mul- 
titude and variety of her gigantic forests ; rich in her marble, stone and 
granite quarries ; rich in her mines of iron, coal, lead and zinc ; rich in 
strong arms and willing hands to apply the force ; rich in water power 
and river navigation ; and rich in her numerous and well built railroads, 
whose numberless engines thunder along their multiplied trackways. 

Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establish- 
ments, 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80,000 
hands. The capital employed is about $100,000,000, the material annu- 
ally used and worked up amounts to over $150,000,000 and the value of 
the products put upon the markets $250,000,000, while the wages paid 
are more than $40,000,000. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 65 

The leading manufacturing counties of the state are St. Louis, Jack- 
son, Buchanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Green, Lafayette, Platte, 
Cape Girardeau and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufactur- 
ing is done in St. Louis, which vs now about the second manufacturing 
city of the Union. Flouring mills produce annually about $38,194,000; 
carpentering, $18,763,000; meatpacking, $16,769,000; tobacco, $12,496,- 
OOO; iron and castings, $12,000,000; liquors, $11,245,000; clothing, 
10,022,000; lumber, $8,652,000; bagging and bags, $6,914,000, and many 
other smaller industries in proportion. 

GREAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS. 

Of the many public improvements which do honor to the state and 
reflect great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space 
only to mention the great bridge at St. Louis. 

This truly wonderful structure is built of tubular steel, the total 
length of which, with its approaches, is 6,277 feet, at a cost of nearly 
$8,000,000. The bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to the 
Missouri shore, and has separate railroad tracks, roadways and foot 
paths. In durability, architectural beauty and practical utility, there is, 
perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that opproximates it. 

The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the 
Hellespont ; of Caesar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube, 
famous in ancient history, were built for military purposes, that over 
them might pass invading armies with their munitions of war, to destroy 
commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, and to slaughter the people. 

But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over 
it are coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and thence 
are passing the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowding legions 
of men, armed not with the weapons of war, but the implements of 
peace and industry ; men who are skilled in all the arts of agriculture, 
of manufacture and of mining ; men who will hasten the day when St. 
Louis shall rank in population and importance second to no city on the 
continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill the measure of greatness, 
to which she is naturally so justly entitled. 



66 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 



CHAPTER XL 



EDUCATION. 



FUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM-PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF MISSOURI-LINCOLN INSTITUTE- 
OFFICERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM-CERTIFICATES OF TEACHERS-UNIVERSITV 
OF MISSOURI— SCHOOLS— COLLEGES - INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING— LOCATION- 
LIBRARIES - NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS — NO. OF SCHOOL CHILDREN — 
AMOUNT EXPENDED— VALUE OF GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS- "THE PRESS." 



The first constitution of Missouri provided that " one school or more 
shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and neces- 
sary, where the poor shall be taught gratis." 

It will be seen that even at that early day (1820), the framers of 
the constitution made provision for at least a primary education for the 
poorest and the humblest, taking it for granted that those who were 
able would avail themselves of educational advantages which were not 
gratuitous. 

The establishment of the public school system in its essential feat- 
ures was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor 
Boggs, and since that period the system has slowly grown into favor, 
not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States. The idea of a 
free or public school for all classes was not at first a popular one, espe- 
cially among those who had the means to patronize private institutions 
of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools, the oppo- 
nents of the system felt that they were not only compromising their 
own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were 
to some extent bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining 
such prejudices they naturally thought that the training received in pub- 
lic schools could not be otherwise than defective, hence many years of 
probation passed before the popular mind was prepared to appreciate 
the benefits and blessings which spring from these institutions. 

Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the 
more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legisla- 
tures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people. 

We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters 
of civilization than the free school and the free press. They would 
indeed seem to constitute all that was necessary to the attainment of 
the happiness and intellectual growth of the republic, and all that was 
necessary to broaden, to liberalize, and to instruct. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 6 ? 

M Tis education forms the common mind ) 
****** 

For noble youth there is nothing so meet 
As learning is, to know the good from ill ; 
To know the tongues, and perfectly indite, 
And of the laws to have a perfect skill, 
Things to reform as right and justice will, 
For honor is ordained for no cause 
But to see right maintained by the laws. 

All the states of the Union have in practical operation the public 
school system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing 
materially in the manner and methods by which they are taught, but 
none have a wiser, a more liberal and comprehensive machinery of 
instruction than Missouri. Her school laws since 1839 have undergone 
many changes, and always for the better, keeping pace with the most 
enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienced educators 
of the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopted, 
did the present admirable system of public instruction go into effect 

Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African 
descent, and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices 
of unfriendly legislatures, or the whims of political parties. The Lincoln 
Institute, located at Jefferson City, for the education of colored teachers, 
receives an annual appropriation from the General Assembly. 

For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual 
income derived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law, 
not less than twenty-five per cent, of the state revenue, exclusive of the 
interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to this purpose. 

The officers having in charge the public school interests are the 
State Board of Education, the State Superintendent, County Superin- 
tendent, County Clerk and Treasurer, Board of Directors, City and 
Town School Board and teacher. The State Board of Education is 
composed of the State Superintendent, the Governor, Secretary of State 
and the Attorney General, the executive officer of this board being the 
State Superintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His 
duties are numerous. He renders decisions concerning the local appli- 
cation of school law ; keeps a record of all the school funds and annually 
distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county 
school officers ; delivers lectures ; visits schools ; distributes educational 
information ; grants certificates of higher qualifications and makes an 
annual report to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools. 

The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two 
years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and 
make reports. County clerks receive estimates from the local directors 
and extend them upon the tax-books. In addition to this they keep the 
general records of the county and township school funds, and return an 



68 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

annual report of the financial condition of the schools of their count}- to 
the State Superintendent. School taxes are gathered with other taxes 
by the county collector. The custodian of the school funds belonging" to 
the schools of the counties is the county treasurer, except in counties 
adopting the township organization, in which case the township trustee 
discharges these duties. 

Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are 
governed by a board of six directors, two o( whom are selected annually 
on the second Saturday in September, and hold their office for three 
years. 

One director is elected to serve for three years in each school dis- 
trict at the annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceed- 
ing forty per cent, on the one hundred dollars valuation, provided such 
annual rates for school purposes may be increased in districts formed of 
cities and towns, to an amount not to exceed one dollar on the hundred 
dollars valuation ; and in other districts to an amount not to exceed 
sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, on the condition 
that a majority of the voters who are tax payers, voting at an election 
held to decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of 
erecting public buildings in school districts, the rates of taxation thus 
limited, may be increased when the rate of such increase and the pur- 
pose for which it is intended shall have been submitted to a vote of the 
people, and two-thirds of the qualified voters of such school district vot- 
ing at such election shall vote therefor. 

Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect 
to the choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of all 
important business such as the erection of a school house or the exten- 
sion of a term of school beyond the constitutional period, they simply 
execute the will of the people. The clerk of this board may be a 
director. He keeps a record of the names of all the children and youth 
in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one; records all busi- 
ness proceedings o( the district, and reports to the annual meeting, to 
the County Clerk and County Superintendents. 

Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or 
County Commissioner of the count}- where they teach. State certificates 
are granted upon personal written examinations in the common branches, 
together with the natural sciences and higher mathematics. The holder 
of such certificate may teach in any of the public schools of the state 
without further examination. Certificates granted by County Commis- 
sioners are oi two classes, with two grades in each class. Those issued 
for a longer term than one year belong to the first class, and are suscep- 
tible of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attainments. 
Those issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualifi- 
cation alone. The township school fund arises from a grant of land by 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 69 

the general government, consisting of section sixteen in each Congres- 
sional township. The annual income of the township fund is appropri- 
ated to the various townships, according to their respective proprietary 
claims. The support from the permanent funds is supplemented by 
direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each district. The 
greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent.; the 
tax permitted for school house building cannot exceed the same amount. 

Among the institutions of learning, and ranking, perhaps, the first 
in importance, is the State University, located at Columbia, Boone 
County. When the state was admitted into the Union, Congress granted 
to it one entire township of land (46,080 acres) for the support of a 
" Seminary of Learning." The lands secured for this purpose are among 
the best and most valuable in the state. These lands were put upon 
the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which amount was invested in the 
stock of the old Bank of the State of Missouri, where it remained and 
increased by accumulation to the sum of $100,000. In 1839, by an ac ^ 
of the General Assembly, five commissioners were appointed to select a 
site for the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of 
land in a compact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, 
Cooper, Howard, Boone, Callaway or Saline. Bids were let among the 
counties named, and the county of Boone having subscribed the sum of 
$117,921, some $18,000 more than any other county, the State Univer- 
sity was located in that county, and on the 4th of July, 1840, the corner- 
stone was laid with imposing ceremonies. 

The present annual income of the university is nearly $65,000. 
There are still unsold about 200,000 acres of land from the grant of 
1862. The donations to the institutions connected therewith amount to 
nearly $400,000. This university, with its different departments, is 
opened to both male and female, and both sexes enjoy alike its 
rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, which form a 
part of the university, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in 
Teaching ; the Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of 
Mines and Metallurgy ; the College of Law ; the Medical College, and 
Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. Other departments 
are contemplated and will be added as necessity requires. 

The following will show the names and locations of the schools and 
institutions of the state as reported by the Commissioner of Education 
in 1875. 

UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. 

Christian University Canton. 

St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau. 

University of Missouri Columbia. 

Central College Fayette. 



70 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Westminster College Fulton. 

Lewis College Glasgow. 

Pritchett School Institute Glasgow. 

Lincoln College Greenwood. 

Hannibal College Hannibal. 

Woodland College Independence. 

Thayer College Kidder. 

LaGrange College LaGrange. 

William Jewell College. Liberty. 

Baptist College Louisiana. 

St. Joseph College St. Josoph. 

College of Christian Brothers St. Louis. 

St. Louis University St. Louis. 

Washington University ' St. Louis. 

Drury College Springfield. 

Central Wesleyan College Warrenton. 

FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN. 

St. Joseph Female Seminary St. Joseph. 

Christian College Columbia. 

Stephens' College Columbia. 

Howard College Fayette. 

Independence Female College Independence. 

Central Female College Lexington. 

Clay Seminary Liberty. 

Ingleside Female College Palmyra. 

Linden Wood College for Young Ladies St. Charles. 

Mary Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 

St. Louis Seminary St. Louis. 

Ursuline Academy , St. Louis. 

FOR SECONDARY INSTRUCTION. 

Arcadia College Arcadia. 

St. Vincent's Academy , Cape Girardeau. 

Chillicothe Academy Chillicothe. 

Grand River College Edinburgh. 

Marionville College Institute Marionville. 

Palmyra Seminary Palmyra. 

St. Paul's College Palmyra. 

Van Rensselaer Academy Rensselaer. 

Shelby High School Shelbyville. 

Stewartsville Male and Female Seminary Stewartsville. 

SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE.. 

Mo. Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Mo.) .Columbia. 

Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (Universy of Missouri).. Rolla. 

Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 7 1 

SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY. 

St. Vincent's College (Theological Department) Cape Girardeau 

Westminster College (Theological School) .Fulton 

Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College) Liberty 

Concordia College St. Louis 

6CHOOLS OF LAW. 

Law School of the University of Missouri Columbia 

Law School of the Washington University St. Louis 

SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE. 

Medical College, University of Missouri Columbia 

College of Physicians and Surgeons St. Joseph 

Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons Kansas City 

Hospital Medical College _ , St. Joseph 

Missouri Medical College St. Louis 

Northwestern Medical College St. Joseph 

St. Louis Medical College St. Louis 

Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri St. Louis 

Mo. School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, St. Louis 

Missouri Central College St. Louis 

St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis 

LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 

NAME LOCATION. VOLUMES. 

St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau. . . . 5,500 

Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau. . . . 1,225 

University of Missouri Columbia 10,000 

Athenian Society Columbia ' . 1 ,200 

Union Literary Society Columbia 1 ,200 

Law College Columbia 1 ,000 

Westminster College Fulton 5,ooo 

Lewis College Glasgow 3,000 

Mercantile Library Hannibal 2,219 

Library Association Independence 1,100 

Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson 1,000 

State Library Jefferson City 1 3,000 

Fetterman's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,300 

Law Library Kansas City 3,000 

Whittemore's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,000 

North Missouri State Normal School Kirksville 1 ,050 

William Jewell College Liberty 4,000 

St. Paul's College Palmyra 2,000 

Missouri Schools of Mines and Metallurgy. . .Rolla 2,478 

St. Charles Catholic Library St. Charles 1,716 

Carl Fuelling's Library St. Joseph 6,000 

Law Library St. Joseph 2,000 

Public School Library St. Joseph 2,500 



72 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

Woolworth & Colt's Circulating Library St. Joseph 4,000 

Academy of Science St. Louis 2,744 

Academy of Visitation St. Louis 4,000 

College of the Christian Brothers , St. Louis 22,000 

Deutsche Institute St. Louis 1 ,000 

German Evang. Lutheran, Concordia College . . St. Louis 4,800 

Law Library Association St. Louis 8,000 

Missouri Medical College St. Louis 1 ,000 

Mrs. Cuthbert's Seminary (Young Ladies). . .St. Louis 1,500 

Odd Fellows Library St. Louis 4,000 

Public School Library St. Louis 40,097 

St. Louis Medical College St. Louis 1,100 

St. Louis Mercantile Library St. Louis 45,000 

St. Louis Seminary - St. Louis 2,000 

St. Louis Turn Verein St. Louis 2,000 

St. Louis University St. Louis 17,000 

St. Louis University Libraries St. Louis 8,000 

Ursuline Academy St. Louis 2,000 

Washington University St. Louis 4,500 

St. Louis Law School St. Louis 3,000 

Young Men's Sodality St. Louis 1,327 

Library Association Sedalia 1,500 

Public School Library Sedalia 1,01 5 

Drury College Springfield 2,000 

IN 1880. 
Newspapers and periodicals 48 1 

CHARITIES. 

State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb Fulton. 

St. Bridget's Institution for Deaf and Dumb St. Louis. 

Institution for the Education of the Blind St. Louis. 

State Asylum for Insane Fulton. 

State Asylum for the Insane St. Joseph. 

NORMAL SCHOOLS. 

Normal Institute Bolivar. 

Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau. 

Normal School (University of Missouri) Columbia. 

Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson. 

Lincoln Institute (for colored) Jefferson City. 

City Normal School St. Louis. 

Missouri State Normal School Warrensburg. 

IN 1878. 

Estimated value of school property $1,321,309 

Total receipts for public schools 4,207,617 

Total expenditures 2,406, 1 30 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 73 

NUMBER OF TEACHERS, 

Male teachers, 6,239 ; average monthly pay $36.36 

Female teachers, 5,060 ; average monthly pay 21.09 

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS. 

The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and 
seventy-one newspapers and periodicals shows that her inhabitants are 
not only a reading and reflecting people, but that they appreciate "The 
Press," and its wonderful influence as an educator. The poet has well 
said; 

But mightiest of the mighty means, 
On which the arm of progress leans, 
Man's noblest mission to advance, 
His woes assuage, his weal enhance, 
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress- 
Mightiest of mighty is the Press. 



CHAPTER XII. 
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 

BAPTIST CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— CONGREGATIONAL— WHEN FOUNDED— ITS HISTORY- 
CHRISTIAN CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH— IIS 
HISTORY — METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — ITS HISTORY — PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH-ITS HISTORY— PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— UNITED 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— UNITARIAN CHURCH-ITS HISTORY— RO- 
MAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-ITS HISTORY. 

The first representatives of religious thought and training who pene- 
trated the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys were Pere Marquette, La Salle, 
and others of Catholic persuasion, who performed missionary labor among 
the Indians. A century afterward came the Protestants. At that early 

period 

"A church in every grove that spread 
Its living root above their heads," 

constituted for a time, their only house of worship, and yet to them 

*' No temple built with hands could vie 
In glory with its majesty." 

In the course 01 time the seeds of Protestantism were scattered along 
the shores of the two great rivers which form the eastern and western 
boundaries of the state, and still a little later they were sown upon her 
hillsides and broad prairies, where they have since bloomed and blos- 
somed as the rose. 



74 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The earliest anti-Catholic religious denomination of which there is 
any record, was organized in Cape Girardeau County in 1806, through 
the efforts of Rev. David Green, a Baptist, and a native of Virginia. In 
18 16 the first association of Missouri Baptists was formed, which was 
composed of seven churches, all of which were located in the southeast- 
ern part of the state. In 18 17 a second association of churches was 
formed, called the Missouri Association, the name being afterwards 
changed to St. Louis Association. 1834 a general convention of all the 
churches of this denomination was held in Howard County, for the pur- 
pose of effecting a central organization, at which time was commenced 
what is now known as the "General Association of Missouri Baptists." 

To this body is committed the state mission work, denominational 
education, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature. 
The Baptist Church has under its control - 1 number of schools and col- 
leges, the most important of which is WilH. Jewell College, located at 
Liberty, Clay County. As shown by the annual report for 1875, there 
were in Missouri at that date, sixty-one associations, one thousand four 
hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty-four ministers and eighty- 
nine thousand six hundred and fifty church members. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

The Congregationalists inaugurated their missionary labors in the 
state in 1814. Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Connecticut, and 
Rev. Daniel Smith, of Bennington, Vermont, were sent west by the Mas- 
sachusetts Congregational Home Missionary Society during that year, 
and in November, 1814, they preached the first regular Protestant ser- 
mons in St. Louis. Rev. Salmon Giddings, sent out under the auspices 
of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary Society, organized the 
first Protestant church in the city, consisting often members, constituted 
Presbyterian. The churches organized by Mr. Giddings were all Presby- 
terian in their order. 

No exclusively Congregational church was founded until 1852, when 
the First Trinitarian Congregation?l Church of St. Louis was organized. 
The next church of this denomination was organized at Hannibal, in 
1859. Then followed a Welsh church in New Cambria, in 1864, and 
after the close of the war fifteen churches of the same order were formed 
in different parts of the state. In 1866 Pilgrim Church, St. Louis was 
organized. The General Conference of Churches of Missouri was formed 
in 1865, which was changed in 1868 to General Association In 1866 
Hannibal, Kidder and St. Louis District Associations were formed, and 
following these were the Kansas City and Springfield District Associa- 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 75 

tions. This denomination in 1875 had 70 churches, 41 ministers, 3,363 
church members, and had also several schools and colleges and one 
monthly newspaper. 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

The earliest churches of this denomination were organized in Cal- 
laway, Boone and Howard Counties, some time previously to 1829. The 
first church was formed in St. Louis in 1836, by Elder R. B. Fife. The 
first state Sunday school convention of the Christian Church was held 
in Mexico, in 1876. Besides a number of private institutions this 
denomination has three state institutions, all of which have an able corps 
of professors and have a good attendance of pupils. It has one religious 
paper published in St. Louis, The Christian, which is a weekly publica- 
tion and well patronized. The membership of this church now numbers 
nearly one hundred thousand in the state and is increasing rapidly. It 
has more than five hundred organized churches, the greater portion of 
which are north of the Missouri River. 

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In the spring of 1820 the first Presbytery of this denomination west 
of the Mississippi, was organized in Pike County. This Presbytery 
included all the territory of Missouri, Western Illinois and Arkansas, 
and numbered only four ministers, two of whom resided at the time in 
Missouri. There are now in the state twelve Presbyteries, three Synods, 
nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty thousand members. 
The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis. They have a number of 
High Schools and two monthly papers published at St. Louis. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

In 1806, Rev. John Travis, a young Methodist minister, was sent out 
to the Western Conference, which then embraced the Mississippi Valley, 
from Green County, Tennessee. During that year Mr. Travis organized 
a number of small churches. At the close of his conference year he 
reported the result of his labors to the Western Conference, which was 
held at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1807, and showed an aggregate of one hun- 
dred and six members and two circuits, one called Missouri and the 
other Meramec. In 1808 two circuits had been formed, and at each suc- 
ceeding year the number of circuits and members constantly increased, 
until 18 12, when what was called the Western Conference was divided 
into the Ohio and Tennessee Conferences, Missouri falling into the Ten- 
nessee Conference. In 18 16 there was another division when the Mis- 
souri Annual Conference was formed. In 18 10 there were four traveling 



76 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

preachers, and in 1820 fifteen traveling preachers, with over two thousand 
members. In 1836 the territory of the Missouri Conference was again 
divided when the Missouri Conference included only the state. In 1840 
there were seventy-two traveling preachers, 177 local ministers and 13,992 
church members. Between 1840 and 1850 the church was divided by the 
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1850 the 
membership of the M. E. Church was over 25,000, and during the succeed- 
ing ten years the church prospered rapidly. In 1875 the M. E. Church 
reported 274 church edifices and 34,156 members; the M. E. Church 
South reported 443 church edifices and 49,588 members. This denom- 
ination has under its control several schools and colleges and two weekly 
newspapers* 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The Presbyterian church dates the beginning of their missionary 
efforts in the state as far back as 18 14, but the first Presbyterian Church 
was not organized until 18 16, at Bellevue settlement, eight miles from 
St. Louis. The next churches were formed in 1816 and 1817, at Bon- 
homme, Pike County. The first Presbyterian Church was organized in 
St. Louis in 1817, by Rev. Salmon Gidding. The first Presbytery was 
organized 1817, by the Synod of Tennessee, with four ministers and four 
churches. The first Presbyterian house of worship (which was the first 
Protestant) was commenced in 18 19 and completed in 1826. In 1820 a 
mission was formed among the Osage Indians. In 183 1, the Presbytery 
was divided into three : Missouri, St. Louis and St. Charles. These 
were erected with a synod, comprising eighteen ministers and twenty- 
three churches. 

The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In 
i8j6o the rolls of the Old and New School Synods together showed 109 
ministers and 146 churches. In 1866 the Old School Synod was divided 
on political questions springing out of the war — a part forming the Old 
School or Independent Synod of Missouri, who are connected with the 
General Assembly South. In 1870 the Old and New School Presbyterians 
united, since which time this Synod has steadily increased until it now 
numbers more than 12,000 members, with more than 220 churches and 
150 ministers. 

This Synod is composed of six Presbyteries and has under its con- 
trol one or two institutions of learning and one or two newspapers. 
That part of the original Synod which withdrew from the General 
Assembly remained an independent body until 1874, when it united with 
the Southern Presbyterian Church. The Synod in 1875 numbered 80 
ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has under its control 
several male and female institutions of a high order. The St. Louis 
Presbyterian, weekly paper, is the recognized organ of the Synod. 



HISTORY OF MISSOURI. j - 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The missionary enterprises of this church began in the state in 
1818, when a parish was organized in the city of St. Louis. In 1828 an 
agent of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society visited the city, 
who reported the condition of things so favorably that Rev. Thomas 
Horrell was sent out as a missionary, and in 1825 he began his labors in 
St. Louis. A church edifice was completed in 1830. In 1836 there were 
five clergymen of this denomination in Missouri, who had organized 
congregations in Booneville, Fayette, St. Charles, Hannibal and other 
places. In 1840, the clergy and laity met in convention, a diocese was 
formed, a constitution and canons adopted, and in 1844 a Bishop was 
chosen, he being the Rev. Cicero S. Hawks. 

Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College was founded 
near St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of pecuniary 
troubles. In 1847, the Clark Mission began and in 1849 the Orphans 
Home, a charitable institution was founded. In 1865, St. Luke's Hospital 
was established. In 1875, there were in the city of St. Louis, twelve 
parishes and missions and twelve clergymen. This denomination has 
several schools and colleges and one newspaper. 

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

This denomination is made up of the members of the Associate and 
Associate Reformed churches of the Northern states, which two bodies 
united in 1858, taking the name of United Presbyterian Church of North 
America. Its members were generally bitterly opposed to the institu- 
tion of slavery. The first congregation was organized at Warrensburg, 
Johnson County, in 1867. It rapidly increased in numbers and had, in 
1875, ten ministers and five hundred members. 

UNITARIAN CHURCH. 

This church was formed in 1834, by Rev. W. G. Eliot, in St. Louis. 
The churches are few in number throughout the state, the membership 
being probably less than 300, all told. It has a mission house and free 
school, for poor children, supported by donations. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri 
shows that Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Gene- 
vieve in 1760, and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770 Father Meurin erected 
a small log church in St. Louis. In 18 18 there were in the state four 
chapels, and for Upper Louisiana, seven priests. A college and semin- 



Jl HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 

ary were opened in Perry County about this period for the education ol 
the young, being the first college west of the Mississippi river. In 1824 
a college was opened in St. Louis, which is now known as the St. Louis 
University. In 1826, Father Rosatti was appointed Bishop of St. Louis, 
and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. 
Joseph and of the Visitation were founded, besides other benevolent 
and charitable institutions. In 1834 he completed the present Cathedral 
Church. Churches were built in different portions of the state. In 1847 
St. Louis was created an arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, Arch- 
bishop. 

In Kansas City there are five parish churches, a hospital, a convent 
and several parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the 
state was erected into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph, and 
Right-Reverend John J. Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875, 
in the city of St. Louis, 34 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges, 
7 orphan asylums and 3 female protectorates. There were also 105 
priests, 7 male and 13 female orders, and 20 conferences of St. Vincent 
de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, outside of St. Louis, 
there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents, about 120 priests, 150 
churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of St. Joseph there were, in 
1875,21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations, 1 college, I monastery, 5 con- 
vents and 14 parish schools. 

THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS. 

Instruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection 
with collegiate study, or in special theological courses, at : 

Central College, (M. E. South) Fayette 

Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) Warrenton 

Christian University (Christian) Canton 

Concordia College Seminary (Evangelical Lutheran) St. Louis 

Lewis College (M. E. Church) Glasgow 

St. Vincent's College (Roman Catholic) Cape Girardeau 

Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist) Liberty 

The last is connected with William Jewell College. 



History of Nodaway County. 



CHAPTER I. 

PREFATORY. 

PLAN AND SCOPE OF THIS WORK. 

More than forty years have passed, since the first white settlement 
was made within the bounds of that territory now known as Nodaway 
County, Missouri. 

Nearly a half a century since, the uncivilized aborigines roamed the 
prairies wild and free, unfettered by the restraints of common or statu- 
tory law, and uncircumscribed by township boundaries and county lines. 
The transformation which has taken place in the physiognomy of the 
country alone, is beyond the comprehension of the finite mind ; luxuri- 
ant groves, where there was the wide stretching prairie ; cultivated 
fields where was the primeval forest ; orchards, vineyards, and gardens 
where waved the tall prairie grass. So marked has been the change in 
the physiognomy of the country that there has been a decided change 
in the climatology. The elements themselves seem to have taken 
notice of the g^eat change, and have governed themselves accordingly. 
While the annual rainfall and the mean annual temperature remain the 
same in quantity, they are entirely different in quality, and although 
imperceptible and independent of man's will, they have, nevertheless, 
come under the same civilizing power which has changed the wilderness 
into a fruitful land. 

The great change which has taken place in the development of the 
material resources of the country is more noticeable, as man can 
more readily discern the changes which take place by detail in his own 
circumscribed field of activity than he can those grand revolutions in 
the boundless domain of nature. 



SO HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

These changes can be best estimated by the institution of a brief 
contrast : Then the material resources consisted simply in the streams 
of water which quenched the thirst of the aborigines, wherein was 
found the fish which he ate, and upon which floated his frail canoe ; the 
forest, where he procured his fuel and the material for the construction 
of his rude weapons, and which sheltered the game, which afforded him 
a meagre and uncertain sustenance. Such were the material resources 
then made available to the owner of the soil. The social condition of 
the people was scarcely more advanced than is that of certain orders of 
the lower animals, whose social attainments are comprehended in the 
ability to unite for mutual offense and defense. In intellect and morals, 
there was a people somewhat above the brute, but on the lowest round 
ot the ladder. 

Now the material resources of the country include in their number 
the soil, with every useful and ornamental product known to the tem- 
perate zone ; the forest with every specie of manufacture, useful and 
decorative, known to the civilized world ; the water in the streams and 
the currents of air above us are alike trained to do man's bidding, while 
from the depths of the earth beneath our feet is brought forth hidden 
treasure which was hoarded by the turmoil of ages. A city with its 
thousands of people, a country with its thousands of inhabitants, while 
in city and country the lofty spires of churches and school houses are 
evidences of the social, moral and intellectual condition of the people 
to-day. 

All this change in material things has been brought about by 
the incoming of a new people from the far-off East and South, and that, 
too, within the space of less than half a century. History furnishes no 
parallel to the rapid development of this western country ; it has been 
a chain whose links were ever recurring surprises, and among the aston- 
ished there are none more so than those whose throbbing brains have 
planned, and whose busy hands have executed the work. 

Almost a century ago, a friend of America, although an English- 
man, in language almost prophetic, wrote : 

Westward the course of empire takes its way, 

The four first acts already past, 
The fifth shall close the drama of the day ; 

Time's noblest offering is the last. 

The settlement of the new world, alluded to by the writer, has, as a 
whole, fully met the conditions of that prophesy, but not till the past 
half century did the onward march of empire culminate in the settle- 
ment of Northwest Missouri. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 8[ 

With the exception of a few mining towns in the gold regions of 
California and the silver districts of Colorado, nothing has been like it 
before and will not be exceeded in time to come. 

This has not been by an accident. All kinds of material develop- 
ment follow recognized and well established laws, and in nothing does 
this fact more reveal itself than in the settlement of a country. 

Whoever has made it his business to study the " Great Northwest," 
as it has unfolded itself in history during the last quarter of a century, 
has doubtless met with ever returning wonders. The story of its 
unparralleled growth, and almost phenomenal development, has so often 
been repeated that it has become a common place platitude ; but a care- 
ful study of the country will suggest questions which have, thus far, not 
been answered, and cannot be. Why, for instance, have some sections 
filled up so rapidly, and certain cities sprung up as if by magic, while 
others, seemingly no less favored by nature, are still in the first stages 
of development ? These questions cannot, in all cases, be answered ; 
but whoever has studied the matter carefully, cannot fail to have discov- 
ered a law of growth which is as unvarying as any law of nature. 

The two leading factors in the problem of municipal growth, are, 
location and character of first settlers. The location of Nodaway County 
was most favorable, and what is true of Nodaway County, is true of the 
whole state. More than half of the state is surrounded by two of the 
most renowned water courses of the world, and one will readily see that 
it possesses advantages enjoyed by no other state in the Union. These 
conditions, so favorable to the past and future development of the coun- 
try, are beautifully illustrated by an ingenious little poem, entitled "Two 
Ancient Misses," written by a gentleman who has won a widespread 
reputation at the bar. We here quote it, as it well illustrates our point, 
and is of sufficient merit to be preserved : 



TWO ANCIENT MISSES. 

I know two ancient misses 

Who ever onward go, 
From a cold and rigid northern clime, 
Through a land of wheat, and corn, and wine, 
To the southern sea where the fig and the lime, 

And the golden orange grow. 

In graceful curves they wind about, 
Upon their long and lonely route, 

Among the beauteous hills; 
They never cease their onward step, 
Though day and night they're dripping wet, 
And oft with sleet and snow beset, 

And sometimes with the chills. 



82 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The one is a romping, dark brunette. 
As fickle and gay as any coquette ; 
She glides along by the western plains, 
And changes her bed each time it rains ; 
Witching as any dark- eyed houri, 
This romping, wild brunette, Missouri . 

The other is placid, mild and fair, 
With a gentle, sylph-like, quiet air, 
And voice as sweet as soft guitar; 
She moves along the vales and parks 
Where naiads play ^iolian harps — 
Nor ever go by fits and starts — 
No fickle coquette of the city, 
But gentle, constant Mississippi. 

I love the wild and dark brunette 
Because she is a gay coquette ; 
Her, too, I love of quiet air, 
Because she's gentle, true and fair; 
Land of my birth ! the east and west. 
Embraced by these is doubly blest — 
'Tis hard to tell which I love best. 

In entering upon the work before us, we have not underestimated 
the difficulty and importance of the task. The chief difficulty lies in 
the fact that the events to be treated, while they have to do with the 
past, are so intimately interwoven with the present that they are prop- 
erly a part of it. The writer of history, as a general thing, deals wholly 
with the affairs of past generations, and his aim is to pause when he 
arrives at that realm bounded by the memory of men now living. The 
whole field of our investigation lies this side of that boundary line, as 
there are a few who will doubtless peruse this work, who, from the first, 
have witnessed and taken part in the events we shall attempt to relate. 

While there are a few who came to Nodaway County as early as 
1839-40, its permanent settlement did not properly begin until 1845. 
Assuming 1845 to be the beginning of the history proper, there have 
elapsed but thirty-six years, and a few who came at that time, or shortly 
afterwards, still live in our midst. And such, while they have grown 
prematurely old in body by reason of the hardships and privations inci- 
dent upon a life of more than ordinary activity and trial, have not grown 
old in spirit. Each one of such knows the history of the county, and, be 
it said, with due reverence for their hoary heads and bended forms, each 
one knows the history better than anyone else. Such readers are very 
uncharitable critics ; and a work of this kind, absolutely accurate in all 
its details and particulars, were it within the scope of human possibility 
to make such a work, would undoubtedly be pronounced, by many well 
meaning and honest persons, faulty and untrustworthy. This results 
from the fact that thirty-six years, though not a long period in the his- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 83 

tory of the world, is a long time in the life of an individual. Events 
occurring at that length of time in the past, we think we know perfectly 
well, when the fact is we know them very imperfectly. This is proved 
and illustrated by the reluctancy and hesitation manifested invariably 
by old settlers, when called upon to give the details of some early trans- 
action ; the old settler usually hesitates before giving a date, and after 
having finally settled down upon the year and the month, when a cer- 
tain event occurred, will probably hunt you up, in less than a day, and 
request the privilege of correcting the date. In the meantime, you have 
found another old settler, who was an eye witness of the act in question, 
and the date he will give you does not correspond with the first date 
nor the corrected date as given by the first old settler. There are some 
marked exceptions, but as a rule the memory of the old settler is not 
trustworthy ; his ideas of the general outlines are usually comparatively 
correct, but no one who has the grace to put the proper estimate upon 
his mental faculties when impaired by age and weakened by the many 
infirmities of years will trust it to the arbitrament of questions of par- 
ticulars and details. 

The stranger who comes into the county with none of the informa- 
tion which those possess who have resided here for years, works at a 
great disadvantage in many respects. He does not at first know whom 
to interview, or where to find the custodians of important records. 
However, he possesses one great advantage which more than makes up 
for this : he enters upon his work with an unbiased mind ; he has no 
friends to reward, and no enemies to punish ; his mind is not preoc- 
cupied and prejudged by reports which may have incidentally come into 
his possession while transacting the ordinary affairs of business ; and 
when in addition to this, he is a person whose business it is to collect 
statements and weigh facts of history, he is much better qualified for 
the task, and to discriminate between statements, seemingly of equal- 
weight, than those who either immediately or remotely are interested 
parties, and whose regular employment lies in other fields of industry: 
This is true, even though the former be a total stranger and the latter 
have become familiar with men and things by many years of inter- 
course and acquaintanceship. He is best judge and best juror who is 
totally unacquainted with both plaintiff and defendant, and he is best 
qualified to arbitrate between conflicting facts of history who comes to 
the task without that bias which is the price one must pay for acquaint- 
anceship and familiarity. The best history of France was written by an 
Englishman, and the most authentic account of American institutions 
was written by a Frenchman, and it remained for an American to write 
the only authentic history of the Dutch Republic. 

The American people are much given to reading, but the character 
of the matter read is such, that, with regard to a large proportion of 



84 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

them, it may truthfully be said that "truth is stranger than fiction." 
Especially is this the case in respect to those facts of local history 
belonging to their own immediate county and neighborhood. This is, 
perhaps, not so much the fault of the people as a neglect on the part of 
the book publishers. Books, as a rule, are made to sell, and in order 
that a book may have a large sale its matter must be of such a general 
character as to be applicable to general rather than special conditions — 
to the nation and state rather than to county and township. Thus it is 
that no histories heretofore published pertain to matters relating to 
county and neighborhood affairs, for such books, in order to have a sale 
over a large section of country, must necessarily be very voluminous 
and contain much matter of no interest to the reader. After having 
given a synopsis of the history of the state, which is as brief as could 
well be, we shall then enter upon the history of the county. The physi- 
cal features of the county and its geology, will first engage our atten- 
tion ; then the act under which the county was organized and the 
location of the county seat. We shall then speak of the first settle- 
ments. Pioneer times will then be described, and incidents related 
showing the trials and triumphs of the pioneer settler. Then the settle- 
ment of the townships. The county organization, courts and first 
records, the early bench and bar, crimes and trials, California emigrants, 
old settlers' reunions, the political history and finances, etc. Then we 
shall speak of agriculture, the growth and prosperity of the county, 
manufactures, newspapers, schools, churches, railroads, public buildings, 
enterprises, citizens, etc. We shall give a biographical directory, the 
value of which will increase with years, and conclude with a chapter of 
facts and miscellaneous matter. 

The compiler of a history of a county has a task which may seem 
to be comparatively easy, and the facts which come within the legiti- 
mate scope of the work may appear commonplace when compared with 
national events; the narration of the peaceful events attending the con- 
quests of industry as 

•' Westward the course of empire tak^s its way," 

may seem tame when compared with accounts of battles and sieges. 
Nevertheless, the faithful gathering, and the truthful narration of facts 
bearing upon the early settlement of this county, and the dangers, 
hardships and privations encountered by the earl) - pioneers, engaged in 
advancing the standards of civilization, is a work of no small magni- 
tude, and the facts thus narrated are such as ma)- challenge the admira- 
tion and arouse the sympathy of the reader, though they have nothing 
to do with the feats of arms. 



HISTORY OF NOPAWAY COUNTY. 85 

THE NAME. 

It has been intimated by one, that there is nothing in a name, but a 
name sometimes means a great deal. In many instances it indicates, in 
a measure, the character of the people who settle the country, and have 
given to it its distinctive characteristics. Names are sometimes given 
to towns and countries by accident ; sometimes they originate in the 
childish caprice of some one individual, whose dictate, by reason of some 
real or imaginary superiority, is law. However, in this instance, the 
county was not named by accident, but the christening took place after 
mature deliberation. At the period (1841) when the first act, naming 
and defining the county, was passed by the legislature, the territory now 
called Nodaway County, had been inhabited by the Indians for a number 
of years— at least since the treaty of Prairie du Chien, in 1830. The 
principal tribes, located by the government here, were the Ioways, Sacs 
and Foxes, and a small band of the Pottawatomies. Many of the 
streams, which flow through this portion of the state, were named by 
these Indians ; for instance, White Cloud, Kihoga, Tarquio, Nishna- 
botna, Nodaway, etc. Nodaway County takes its name from the river 
Nodaway, which is an Indian name, signifying placid. It is a beautiful, 
placid little stream, which flows south, through the western portion of 
the county ; its banks, fringed as yet with a native growth of timber, 
including all the varieties known to this latitude. The stream itself, is 
not only gentle and tranquil upon its surface, but the entire face of the 
country, through which it winds its sinuous way, presents a charming 
picture of quiet, pastoral beauty, fascinating the beholder with its ever 
varying scenes and topographical attractions. 



CHAPTER II. 

PLATTE PURCHASE. 

THE PLATTE COUNTRY— CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE THERETO— MEETING AT 
LIBERTY, MISSOURI— ITS OBJECT- MEMORIAI — EFFOR IS OF BENTON AND LINN- 
TREATY WI I H THE IOWAYS, SACS AND FOX INDIANS. 

Nodaway County being a portion of the territory originally included 
in the Platte Purchase, a short history, detailing how, when, and through 
whom, the purchase of this territory was accomplished, will doubtless be 
of interest to the citizens of the county. 

For several years, prior to the acquisition of the Platte Purchase by 
the United States Government, the people of Missouri desired its 
annexation. By moving the Indians, and possessing this territory now 
constituting the counties of Platte, Buchanan, Andrew, Holt, Nodaway 
and Atchison, some of the richest, best timbered, and best watered 
lands in the state, would be opened for settlement. The state would 
then have a natural boundary line, (the Missouri River) between the 
whites and the Indians, and the people having already located in the 
counties contiguous to this territory on the east, could avail themselves 
of the transportation facilities afforded by the Missouri River, without 
being eompelled to cross Indian territory. In pursuance of these 
objects, the Hon. L. F. Linn, then a United States Senator, from Mis- 
souri, in January, 1835, addressed H. Ellsworth, Esq., the following com- 
munication : 

Washington, January 23, 1835. 

SIR : It has long been desired by the people of Missouri to have 
annexed to the state that portion of territory lying between her western 
boundary and the great river, Missouri, for the purpose of preventing 
the location of an annoying Indian population, and for the purpose of 
having points on the river to receive their supplies and ship their pro- 
ductions, within a moderate distance from the homes of those inhabitants 
residing along that line of the frontier. 

The location of the Pottawatomies, by the treaty of Chicago, on this 
territory, interposes a barrier to the attainment of these objects, so 
important to the weliare and tranquility of the inhabitants of the north- 
ern and western counties. Will you be so good as to furnish me your 
opinion as to the propriety of ratifying that treaty, and the danger of 
collision between the two races, from placing the Indians between the 
white population and the river Missouri. 

Very respectfully, 

H. Ellsworth, Esq. L. F. LINN. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 87 

The following is the answer of Mr. Ellsworth: 

Washington, January 27, 1835. 

Sir : Yours of the 23d instant, requesting my opinion as to the 
propriety of ratifying the Chicago treaty, and the danger of collision 
that will probably arise from placing the Indians between the white 
population and the river Missouri, at the northwest section of the state, 
was received this morning. In reply, I hasten to observe that the small 
strip of land lying between the Missouri River and the State of Missouri, 
is, compared with the country lying north of the state line, an unfavor- 
able location for the Indian tribes. 

In the fall of 1833 I held a council with the Ioways and the little 
band of Sacs and Foxes living on this strip, who complained of the great 
difficulty attending their present situation, on account of the contiguity 
and encroachments of white men in the state, and all the chiefs desired 
me to make a treaty for their removal to land lying north of the state 
line. Not being authorized to make this treaty, I did not attempt it, 
but have recommended the subject to the favorable consideration of the 
government. 

I have understood that the Pottawatomies are willing to receive 
other land, in equal amount, for that lying south of the north line of Mis- 
souri extended. If this can be done I have no doubt it would be advan- 
tageous to all the parties concerned. The government would realize 
the value of land, but more especially the Pottawatomies would have an 
excellent location, one far less likely to be interrupted by the encroach- 
ment of white neighbors. The State of Missouri might hereafter be 
accommodated with a good natural boundary, several excellent water 
privileges, and additional landings on the navigable waters of Missouri 
for one hundred and forty miles. The ratification of the Chicago treaty 
will prevent the future disposal of this narrow strip to Missouri. Hence 
I conceive it highly important that the Pottawatomies should make an 
exchange of part of the lands embraced within the original treaty. It 
may be proper to state that, from the concurrent testimony of all per- 
sons residing on the Missouri, as well as from a personal view from the 
opposite side of the river, the location of the Pottawatomies north of 
the land in question, will give them a rich and fertile tract, equal to that 
of any tribe already migrated. 

It ought to be noticed that the general expectation that the Chicago 
treaty would be modified, has emboldened many squatters to enter upon 
the lands in question, in hopes of fixing their future residence. I have, 
therefore, no hesitation in giving an opinion as to the expediency of 
altering the Chicago treaty, so as to confine the Pottawatomies north of 
the little strip now wanted by the State of Missouri. 

Having given this opinion, permit me to say that I believe it prac- 
ticable, with little expense or delay, to remove the Indians now on this 
strip of land, and to extinguish any remaining right in the red men for 
hunting or other privileges, and this removal and extinguishment I would 
respectfully recommend before the state jurisdiction is extended to the 
waters of the Missouri. 

Yours, most respectfully, 

HENRY ELLSWORTH. 
Hon. L. F. LlNN, Senator. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



At the same time the Hon. L. F. Linn wrote to Maj. John Dough- 
erty, Indian Agent, for information concerning the geography and topo- 
graphy of the country embraced in the " Platte Purchase," and in three 
days thereafter received the following answer : 



Washington, January 26, 1835. 

SIR : Your communication of the 23d instant, containing certain 
queries touching the slip of land lying between the western boundary 
line of the State of Missouri and the Missouri River has been received. 

I assure you it will afford me great pleasure to furnish the answers 
called for, and in the order in which you have proposed the questions. 

1st. The length of the strip of land referred to is, on its east line, 
one hundred miles long ; the west line, following the meanders of the 
Missouri River, is about one hundred and fifty miles in length, to a point 
on said river due west from the northwest corner of the state, the aver- 
age breadth being about fifteen miles. 

2d. I feel no hesitation in stating (and this without the fear of con- 
tradiction) that the location of Indians upon this territory would be 
attended with the most ruinous effects ; it would alike be injurious to 
the Indians and whites ; take, for example, the Ioways, who now reside 
upon the upper end of this strip — they are a poor, drunken, miserable 
set of beings, dwindling away to nothing, quarreling among themselves, 
killing each other, and in constant broils with their white neighbors. 
Those evils would be greatly increased were the Indians located all the 
way down this strip of land, between the white settlements and the Mis- 
souri River to the mouth of the Kansas River, where it becomes narrow 
and the white population more dense. 

3d. The inconvenience to our citizens would be incalculable, if 
those along the western line of the state were compelled to transport 
their productions to the mouth of the Kansas River for shipment ; some 
of them residing within eight or ten miles of steamboats passing every 
day, would be obliged to haul everything for market over a new country 
one hundred miles. 

4th. There is a great deficiency of water power and springs in the 
northern counties of the State of Missouri, whilst the strip of land you 
have reference to abounds with numerous flush running springs and 
creeks, with great falls, well calculated for mills or other water works. 

5th. The country north of the State of Missouri, reaching from the 
Mississippi to the Missouri River, and extending north between four and 
five hundred miles, is well timbered, interspersed with fine rich prairies, 
and abounds with numerous large, bold running streams, coming in from 
the high lands between these two great rivers ; in short, the whole 
country is well adapted to agricultural purposes, with a fine climate, and 
exceedingly healthy. 

In reply to your 6th question, I deem it sufficient to refer to the 
answer under the second query. The peace and tranquility of both 
whites and Indians require that this long strip of land should be attached 
to the State of Missouri ; and I cannot suppose that any gentlemen as 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 89 

well acquainted with its locality as I am, would entertain a different 
opinion, or dissent from the views herein expressed. 

With great respect, I have the honor to be 
Your obedient servant, 

JNO. DOUGHERTY, 
Hon. L. F. Linn, Senate U. S. Indian Agent. 

As early as 1834-5, two years before the removal of the Indians, the 
narrow strip of land between the western boundary of the state and the 
Missouri River began to be settled by white men. So numerous were 
these settlers that the United States Government sent a military force 
from Fort Leavenworth to remove them. What proportion of these 
daring frontiersmen had located in this territory we cannot determine, 
but the number must have been considerable, as will be seen from the 
following letter from Hon. L. F. Linn to Hon. John Forsyth, Secretary 
of State : 

Saint Genevieve, August 10, 1835. 

SlR: I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy (perhaps imperfect, 
from having mislaid the original), of a letter dated May 14, to the Sec- 
retary of War, on a subject of much interest to the people of this state. 
To this communication no answer has been received. May I tax your 
kindness by asking that you will read the letter, and give the subject 
your friendly attention in any way you may deem advisable. I feel that 
there is a propriety in endeavoring to obtain your assistance, knowing 
the state you so long represented in Congress, with such distinguished 
credit, has been greatly annoyed by an Indian population. I hear an 
order has come from the War Department to remove the families who 
have settled on the Indian lands lying between our western boundary 
and the Missouri River, by military force. 

You know the independent and daring character of our frontier 
population, and knowing, you will easily believe that this step is not to 
be accomplished without violence and much distress, as the families are 
two or three hundred in number. The accompanying diagram will at a 
glance show you what we want, and at the same time the utter useless- 
ness of this portion of country for Indian purposes. 

The long absence of Governor Cass, and multiplicity of business 
since his return, may have caused him to lose sight of my letter. His 
order has caused much sensation in the northern part of the state, and 
for the present ought to be suspended. Yours truly, 

Hon. John Forsyth, L. F. LINN. 

Secretary of State. 

In the summer of 1835, there was held a regimental militia muster 
at Dale's farm, three miles from the town of Liberty, in Clay County. 
After the morning parade, and during the recess for dinner, a mass 
meeting of the citizens present was addressed, among others, by General 
Andrew S. Hughes, who came to Clay from Montgomery County, Ken- 
tucky, in 1828, and who soon afterward was appointed Indian agent by 



90 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

President John Ouincy Adams. At this meeting he proposed the acqui- 
sition of the Platte Country, and the measure met with such hearty 
approval that a committee was at once appointed to make an effort to 
accomplish it. The committee was composed of William T.Wood, now 
judge of the Lexington Circuit; David R. Atchison, ex-United States 
Senator; A. W. Doniphan, a distinguished lawyer and hero of the Mex- 
ican War ; Peter H. Burnett, afterward one of the supreme judges of Cal- 
ifornia, and Edward M. Samuel, afterward president of the Commercial 
Bank in St. Loius — all of them at that time residents of Clay County. 
Subsequently an able memorial to Congress was drafted by Judge Wood, 
embracing the facts and considerations in behalf of the measure, which, 
after being signed by the committee, was forwarded to the senators and 
representatives at Washington from Missouri. 

Following the prayer of this memorial, in 1836, a bill was introduced 
in Congress by Thomas H. Benton, and zealously supported by his col- 
league, Senator Linn, which provided for the extension of the then 
existing boundary of the state, so as to include the triangle between the 
existing line and the Missouri River, then a part of the Indian Territory, 
now comprising the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, Holt, Nod- 
away and Platte. The difficulties encountered were three fold : 1. To 
make still larger a state which was already one of the largest in the 
Union. 2. To remove Indians from a possession which had just been 
assigned to them in perpetuity. 3. To alter the Missouri Compromise 
line in relation to slave territory, and thereby convert free soil into slave 
soil. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the two first mentioned serious 
and the last formidable, the act was passed and the treaties negotiated, 
and in 1837, the Indians removed west of the Missouri River, thus adding 
to the state a large body of the richest land in the world. 

During the fall of 1835, after the meeting held at the regimental 
muster above referred to, General Andrew S. Hughes wrote to Hon. L. 
F. Linn in reference to a treaty with the Ioways and Sacs of his agency. 
His letter is as lollows : 



Ioway Sub-agency, September 3, 1835. 

SlR : I have written a hasty scrawl to you. It might be well to 
publish your letter to show to the people what you are doing. I send 
this to St. Genevieve, not exactly knowing where to find you. I give 
you liberty to do just as you may think proper with my letter. 

All letters addressed to me, I wish directed to the "Elm Grove Post 
Office, Clay County, Missouri." This is most convenient to me. When 
I hear from you I will write again. I desire to see you before you go 
east. 

A treaty can be made with the Ioways of my agency and Sacs, with- 
out expense to the government, or any other unnecessary pomp and 
parade, as has heretofore been the case. Colonel Dodge could make 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 9 1 

treaty with the Indians as a part of his official duty. They are near his 
post, and I should have no objections to render any assistance that might 
be asked of me. Believe me, your sincere friend, 

ANDREW S. HUGHES. 
To Hon. Lewis F. Linn. 

The treaty which was negotiated with the Sacs and Fox Indians, 
whereby Missouri extended her western boundary line, is as follows : 

ARTICLES OF A TREATY 

made and concluded at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri River, 
between William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on the part of 
the United States, of the one part, and the undersigned chiefs, warriors 
and counsellors of the Ioway tribe, and the band of Sacs and Foxes of 
the Missouri (residing west of the State of Missouri) in behalf of their 
respective tribes, of the other part. 

Article i. By the first article of the treaty af Prairie du Chien, 
held the 15th of July, 1830, with the confederate tribes of the Sacs and 
Foxes, Ioways, Omahaws, Missourias, Ottoes and Sioux, the country 
ceded to the United States by that treaty is to be " assigned and allotted, 
under the President of the United States, to the tribes living thereon, or 
to such other tribes as the President may locate thereon for hunting and 
other purposes." And whereas, it is further represented to us, the chiefs, 
warriors and counsellors of the Ioways and Sacs and Fox band afore- 
said, to be desirable that the lands lying between the State of Missouri 
and the Missouri River should be attached to and become a part of the 
said state, and the Indian title thereto should be extinguished; but that, 
notwithstanding, as these lands compose apart of the country embraced 
by the provision of said first article of the treaty aforesaid, the stipula- 
tions thereof will be strictly observed, until the assent of the Indians 
interested is given to the proposed measure. 

Now we, the chiefs, warriors and counsellors of the Ioways and Mis- 
souri bands of Sacs and Foxes, fully understanding the subject, and well 
satisfied from the local position of the lands in question, that they can 
never be made available for Indian purposes, and that an attempt to 
place an Indian population on them must inevitably lead to collision 
with the citizens of the United States; and further, believing that the 
extension of the state line in the direction indicated, would have a happy 
effect, by presenting a natural boundary between the whites and the 
Indians; and willing, moreover, to give the United States a renewed 
evidence of our attachment and friendship, do hereby, for ourselves and 
on behalf of our respective tribes (having full power and authority to this 
effect) forever cede, relinquish and quit-claim to the United States, all 
our right, title and interest, of whatever nature, in and to the land lying 
between the State of Missouri and the Missouri River, and do freely and 
fully exonerate the United States from any guarantee, condition or lim- 
itation, expressed or implied, under the treaty of Prairie du Chien, afore- 
said or otherwise, as to the entire and absolute disposition of the said 
lands ; fully authorizing the United States to do with the same whatever 
shall seem expedient or necessary. 



92 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

As a proof of the continued friendship and liberality of the United 
States towards the Ioways and band of Sacs and Foxes of the Missourias, 
and as an evidence of the same entertained for the good will manifested 
by said tribes to the citizens and Government of the United States, as 
evinced in the preceding cession or relinquishment, the undersigned, 
William Clark, agrees, on behalf of the United States, to pay as a pres- 
ent to the said Ioways and band of Sacs and Foxes $7,500 in money, the 
receipt of which they hereby acknowledge. 

Article 2. As the said tribes of Ioways and Sacs and Foxes have 
applied for a small piece of land south of the Missouri for a permanent 
home, on which they can settle, and request the assistance of the Gov- 
ernment of the United States to place them on the land, in a situation 
at least equal to that they now enjoy on the lands ceded by them. 
Therefore, I, William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, do further 
agree on behalf of the United States, to assign to the Ioway tribes and 
Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the small strip of land on the south 
side of the Missouri River, lying between the Kickapoo northern boun- 
dary line and the Grand Nemaha River, and extending from the Mis- 
souri back and westwardly with the said Kickapoo line and the Grand 
Nemaha, making four hundred sections,, to be divided between the said 
Ioways and the Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the lower half to the 
Sacs and Foxes, the upper half to the Ioways. 

ARTICLE 3. The Ioways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, fur- 
ther agree that they will move and settle on the lands assigned them in 
the above article as soon as arrangements can be made, and the under- 
signed, William Clark, in behalf of the United States, agrees that, as 
soon as the above tribes have selected a site for their villages, and places 
for their fields, and moved to them, to erect for the Ioways five comfort- 
able houses ; to enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of 
ground ; to furnish them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and 
interpreter, as long as the President of the United States deems proper; 
to furnish them with such agricultural implements as may be necessary, 
for five years ; to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at 
the time of their arrival at their new home ; to furnish them with one 
ferryboat; to furnish them with one hundred cows and calves, and five 
bulls, and one hundred stock hogs, when they require them ; to furnish 
them with a mill, and assist in removing them, to the extent of five hun- 
dred dollars. 

And to erect for the Sacs and Foxes, three comfortable houses ; to 
enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of land ; to furnish 
them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and interpreter, as long as 
the President of the United States shall deem proper ; to furnish them 
with such agricultural implements as may be necessary, for five years ; 
to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of 
their arrival at their new home ; to furnish them with one ferryboat ; to 
furnish them with one hundred cows and calves, and five bulls ; one hun- 
dred stock hogs, when they require them; to furnish them with a mill, 
and to assist in removing them to the extent of four hundred dollars. 

Article 4. This treaty shall be obligatory on the tribes, parties 
hereto, from and after the date hereof, and on the United States, from 
and after its ratification by the Government thereof. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



93 



Done, and signed and sealed at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri, 
this seventeenth day of September, eighteen hundred and thirty-six, and 
of the independence of the United States the sixty-first. 

WILLIAM CLARK, 
Superintendent Indian Affairs. 



low AYS : 



Mo-HOS-CA (or White Cloud), 
Nau-che-ning (or No Heart), 
Wa-che-mo-ne (or the Orator), 
Man-O-MONE (or Pumpkin), 
Ne-O-mo-ne (or Raining Cloud), 



Ne -wan- THAW -CHU (Hair Shed- 

der), 
Cha-tau-the-ne (Big Bull), 
CONGU (or Plumb), 
Cha-TA-THAW (Buffalo Bull). 



Wau-THAW-ca-be-chu (one that Man-haw-ka (or Bunch of Arrows), 
eats rats. 

SACS AND FOXES: 

Ca-ha-qua (Red Fox), Pe-SHAW-ca (Bear), 

Pe-caw-ma (Deer), Ne-bosh-ca-na (Wolf), 

Ke-squi-in-a (Deer), Ne-saw-an-qua (Bear), 

Qua-CO-OUSI-SI (Wolf), Se-quil-i-a (Deer), 

As - ke- pa- ke - ka - as - A (Green Wa-pa-se (Swan), 

Lake), No-CHA-TAW-WA-TA-SA (Star), 

Can-ca-car-mack (Bald Headed Se-a-sa-ho (Sturgeon), 

Eagle), Pe-a-chim-a-car-mack, Jr., (Bald 

Headed Eagle). 

witnesses: 



S. W. Kearny, Jr., 
John Dougherty, 
A. S. Hughes, 
George R. H. Clark, 
William Duncan, 
Joseph V. Hamilton, 



H. Robidou, Jr., 
William Bowman, 
Jeffry Dorion, 
Peter Constine, 
Jacques Mette, 
Louis M. Davidson. 



CHAPTER III. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

BOUNDARY — LOCATION— SURFACE— STREAMS — TIMBER— HEALTH AND CLIMATE— RAIN- 
FALL- PRAIRIE. 

Nodaway County is in the northwest corner of the state, and is the 
last county in Missouri, save one. It is nearly the same parallel as 
Philadelphia and Sacramento, and about the same meridian as Lake of 
the Woods and Galveston. 

It is bounded on the north by Page and Taylor Counties, Iowa ; on 
the east by Worth and Gentry Counties ; on the south by Andrew, and 
in part by Holt and Atchison Counties, and on the west by Holt and 
Atchison Counties. The area of the county is about 791 square miles. 

SURFACE. 

The land in the county, away from the streams, is undulating 
prairie, and has altogether a diversity of country seldom found in so 
small a space. Rising to the higher points of ground, the eye commands 
views of exquisite loveliness, embracing the silvery course of the stream, 
the waving foliage of trees, the changing outlines of gentle elevations, 
and the undulating surface of flower-decked prairie, with cultivated 
farms, farm houses, including the log-hut of the first settler and the brick 
or painted houses and barns of the more advanced cultivator of the soil. 

Along the water courses there are hills and gentle slopes, as well as 
bottom lands. On Platte River the table lands are elevated from thirty 
to fifty feet above the water. On the One Hundred and Two River, 
near Howard's Mill, the bluffs are often ninety feet high, and steep, and 
the country hilly. The country is somewhat hilly on the White Cloud. 
On the west side of Nodaway River, in township sixty-six, the hills are 
high and rounded, and the country rolling to the west. East of the 
Platte River, the country is rolling and the slopes gentle. 

Maryville is located on the top of the divide, west of the One Hun- 
dred and Two River and at an elevation of about two hundred feet 
above the river bottoms. 

The county has less land unfitted for cultivation, by reason of 
sloughs and marshes, than perhaps any of the neighboring counties. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 95 

There is not a section of country of equal extent, in the state, that pos- 
sesses a better distributed drainage system than Nodaway County. 
There is, proportionately, such a small area of waste and swamp lands, 
and the facilities for drainage are so admirable, that waste lands, arising 
from this cause, are too insignificant to be worthy of particular mention. 
The county presented to the first settler an easy task in subduing 
the wild land. Its natural prairies were fields almost ready for the 
planting of the crop, and its rich, black soil seemed to be waiting the 
opportunity of paying rewards as a tribute to the labor of the husband- 
man. The farms of Nodaway County are generally large, level or undu- 
lating, unbroken by impassable sloughs, without stumps or other obstruc- 
tions, and furnish the best of conditions favorable to the use of reaping 
machines, mowers, corn planters, and other kinds of labor-saving 
machinery. 

STREAMS. 

Nodaway County is so well supplied with living streams of water, 
and they are so well distributed that the people of the county could not 
possibly make an improvement upon the arrangement, if they were 
allowed the privilege and endowed with the power to make a readjust- 
ment of the system of streams and water courses. Some of these streams 
have fine mill sites, and, by reason of the water power, thus made so 
accessible, the early settler was spared many of the hardships and 
inconveniences experienced by the pioneers of other sections. 

The principal water courses of the county, are the Platte, Nodaway 
and One Hundred and Two Rivers. There are besides these, a number 
of smaller streams, among which are the White Cloud, Florida, Mill, 
Kiogha, Clear, Honey and Sand Creeks, and Long and Mowery Branch. 

Good springs occur at the following localities, viz.: in sections 
twenty-two and twenty-seven, township sixty-three, range thirty-seven. 
We may find many springs issuing from the Nodaway bluffs at Guil- 
ford, in section fifteen, township sixty-two, range thirty-four ; at Prather's, 
in section twenty-nine, township sixty:three, range thirty-five; at Mar- 
tin's, in northeast section twenty-six, township sixty-four, range thirty- 
seven ; at Shaller's, in section eighteen, township sixty-six, range thirty- 
seven. 

TIMBER. 

The circumstance, which, more than any other, favored the early 
and rapid settlement of Nodaway County was the abundance of timber. 
The presence of timber aided materially in an early settlement, and it 
aided in two ways : first, the county had to depend on immigration from 
the older settled states of the Union for its population — Ohio, Indiana, 
Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. These states were originally almost 



96 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

entirely covered with dense forests, and farms were made by clearing 
off certain portions of the timber. Almost every farm there, after it 
became thoroughly improved, still retained a certain tract of timber, 
commonly known as " the woods." The woods is generally regarded as 
the most important part of the farm, and the average farmer regarded it 
as indispensable when he immigrated west. 

The great objection to the country was the scarcity of timber as 
compared to the eastern states, and he did not suppose that it would be 
possible to open up a farm on the bleak prairie. To live in a region 
devoid of the familiar sight of timber seemed unendurable, and the aver- 
age Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky emigrant could not endure the idea of 
founding a home far away from the familiar sight of forest trees. Then 
again the idea entertained by the early emigrants that timber was a 
necessity, was not simply theoretical and ethical. The early settler had 
to have a house to live in, fuel for cooking and heating purposes, and 
fences to enclose his claim. At that time there were no railroads 
whereby lumber could be transported from the pineries ; no coal mines 
had yet been opened or discovered. Timber was an absolute necessity, 
without which personal existence, as well as material improvement, was 
an impossibility. No wonder that a gentleman from the east, who in 
early times came to the prairie region of Missouri on a prospecting tour 
with a view of permanent location, returned home in disgust and embod- 
ied his views of the country in the following rhyme : 

" Oh, lonesome, windy, grassy place, 

Where b/uffalo and snakes prevail ; 
The first with dreadful looking face, 

The last with dreadful sounding tail ! 
I'd rather live on camel hump, 

And be a Yankee Doodle beggar, 
Than where I never see a stump, 

And shake to death with fever 'n 'ager." 

As before remarked, there are two reasons why the first settlers 
refused to locate at a distance from the timber, and why the timbered 
regions bordering upon the rivers became densely populated while the 
more fertile and more easily cultivated prairies remained for many years 
unclaimed. The pioneers were in the main the descendants of those 
hardy backwoodsmen who conquered the dense forests of the south and 
east. When farms are opened up in those countries a large belt of 
timber was invariably reserved from which the farmer could draw his 
supply of logs for lumber for fence rails, and fuel for heating and cook- 
ing purposes. Even at the present day a farm without its patch ot tim- 
ber is exceedingly rare in those courtnes. Having from their youth up 
been accustomed to timber, the emigrant from these timbered regions 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 97 

of the east would have ever felt lonesome and solitary deprived of the 
familiar sight of the tall forest trees and shut off from the familiar sound 
of the wind passing through the branches of the venerable oaks. Then 
again, timber was an actual necessity to the early settler. In this day 
of railroads, herd laws, cheap lumber and cheap fuel, it is easy enough 
to open a farm and build up a comfortable home away out on the prairie, 
far from the sight of timber. But not so under the circumstances 
surrounding the first settlers. There was no way of shipping lumber 
from the markets of the east, coal mines were unknown, and before a 
parcel of land could be cultivated it was necessary to fence it. In order 
to settle the prairie countries it was necessary to have railroads, and in 
order to have railroads, it was necessary that at least a portion of the 
country should be settled. Hence the most important resource in the 
development of this western country was the belts of timber which 
skirted the streams ; and the settlers who first hewed out homes in the 
timber, while at present not the most enterprising and progressive, were 
nevertheless an essential factor in the solution of the problem. 

Much of this primeval forest has been removed ; part of it was 
economically manufactured into lumber, which entered into the con- 
struction of the early dwelling houses, many of which still remain ; 
much of it was ruthlessly and recklessly destroyed. From the fact that 
attention was early given to the culture of artificial groves, Nodaway 
County now has probably about as much timber as formerly, and the 
state much more. 

Among the most abundant of all trees originally found was the 
black walnut, so highly prized in all countries for manufacturing pur- 
poses. Timber of this kind was very plentiful and of good quality 
originally, but the high prices paid for this kind of timber presented 
itself as a temptation to destroy it, which the people, frequently in 
straightened circumstances, could not resist. Red, white and black oak 
are still very plentiful, although they have for many years been exten- 
sively used as fuel. Crab apple, elm, walnut, maple, ash, cottonwood 
and wild cherry are also found. Some of the best timber in the state is 
to be found in this county. 

A line of timber follows the course of all the streams. Detached 
groves, both natural and artificial, are found at many placee throughout 
the county, which are not only ornamental, in that they vary the monot- 
ony of the prairie, but likewise very useful, in that they have a very 
important bearing on the climate. It is a fact fully demonstrated by the 
best authority that climate varies with the surface of a country. 



98 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

HEALTH ANT) CLIMATE. 

The following article is from the pen of Dr. J. B. Morrison, who has 
for many years been a resident physician of Maryville, the county seat 
of Nodaway County : 

The question is very frequently asked, how does Nodaway County 
compare with other sections of the country in regard to health ? To 
answer, "very favorably, indeed," would be strictly true ; for there are no 
endemics peculiar to this section, and epidemics are no more frequent, 
and no more severe, than in other sections of country of like extent ; and, 
indeed, it can be said that they are much less frequent and much less 
severe than in many other localities. 

The land, except the valleys along the largest streams, is rolling, 
almost hilly, indeed, and this circumstance renders drainage almost per- 
fect, and with a little effort on the part of the citizens, could be made 
entirely perfect. There are no extensive bogs or marshes, and those of 
limited extent, are, for the most part, drained. 

There are three streams, called rivers, traversing the county from 
north to south ; namely, the Nodaway, on the west side, the One-Hun- 
dred-and-Two (102), in the middle section, and the Platte on the east 
side. These have many tributaries, so that the county is admirably 
watered, as well as drained. 

Water for house use is easily obtained from natural springs, and from 
wells, which are usually from twenty to thirty feet in depth, and the 
water, for the most part, is of an excellent quality. The soil is a deep, 
rich, black loam, with here and there spots more or less sandy or gravelly. 

The climate is somewhat changeable, though it compares favorably 
with that of Southern Pennsylvania, Central Ohio, Central Indiana and 
Central Illinois. Very severe drouths are not common, nor are very 
severe winters usual. The spring season will compare very favorably 
with that of other localities of the same latitude, and the autumns gen- 
erally are charming. 

There is more or less malaria (so-called) along the river bottoms, 
and, indeed, on the upland, but much less than along large rivers, and it 
is very seldom that a case of severe, " old-fashioned ague," is seen, "such 
as will cause the stoves and windows to shake." Indeed, this so-called 
malaria is so attenuated in Nodaway County, that its meagre density or 
concentration cannot be relied upon by theorists to prove that it ought 
to be considered an entity. 

Typical typhoid fever is seldom seen here, as it usually is of the 
typho-malarial form ; though occasionally a case occurs as typically 
pure as those that occur in crowded cities or in illy ventilated hospitals ; 
but such cases can mostly or always be traced to crowded prisons or 
something very similar, and therefore will occur in every section of 



:■*-. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 99 

country— not one more than another — where people breathe for a con- 
siderable time air that is surcharged with the exhalations from the lungs 
or other organs and from the surface of the body ; or where they eat pork 
or drink water surcharged with like poison. 

Remittent and intermittent fevers prevail to some extent, but they 
cannot be said to be more prevalent than in other localities on the same 
parallel of latitude. 

Malaria, so called, is quite often associated with other diseases not 
generally regarded as of a malarial nature ; but this is hot at all a pecu- 
liar circumstance, for this association is found in all localities. 

Malignant or pernicious diseases are not common, though occasion- 
ally cases of malignant diphtheria appear. 

Phthisis Pulmonalis (old-fashioned consumption) is hardly known 
here, except cases established prior to locating in the county, and it is 
commonly believed that the climate is antagonistic to that disease. 

Catarrh, or rather, nasal catarrh, is somewhat prevalent, but in all 
probability it is due to the kind of houses that have been and that are 
still, to some extent used, rather than to any peculiarity of climate ; for 
it is a lamentable fact, that many of the houses or huts so common in all 
new countries are still quite numerous here, and and many of the better 
class of houses are only one story and a half high, thus putting those 
who sleep up stairs too near a cold roof, where they are constantly 
exposed to a cold current of air. And those who sleep on the lower 
floor, or first floor, are in very many houses exposed to currents entering 
the room through crevices in the wall, or rather in the siding of the 
house. It is a cheering fact, however, that this state of affairs is rapidly 
changing, for good houses are rapidly taking the place of the bad ones, 
and the inhabitants are not at all lacking in thrift. It is entirely within 
the bounds of truth to say that Nodaway County is a desirable place to 
live, considered from the standpoint of health, as well as from many 
other standpoints. 

RAINFALL. 

The average yearly rainfall and melted snow, for twenty-five years, 
has been 36.62 inches. The average rainfall and melted snow, for each 
month respectively, for this period, has been as follows : January, 1.68 
inches; February, 1.67; March, 2.10; April, 3.49; May, 4.39; June, 
475 ; J u ly> 4-^9 ; August, 4.66 ; September, 3.30 ; October, 2.33 ; Novem- 
ber, 1.69; December, 1.89 inches. The rain and melted snow for winter, 
5.25 inches; spring, 9.25 ; summer, 14.10; autumn, 7.32 inches. 

PRAIRIE. 

" Lo ! they stretch 
In airy undulations, far away, 
As if an ocean in its gentlest swell 
Stood still, with all its rounded billows fixed 

l.ofC. 



100 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

And motionless forever. Motionless? 

No, they are all unchained again. The clouds 

Sweep over with their shadows, and beneath 

The surface rolls and fluctuates to the eye ; 

Dark shadows seem to glide along and chase 

The sunny ridges. Breezes of the South ! 

Who toss the golden and flame-like flowers, 

And pass the prairie hawk, that, poised on high, 

Flaps his broad wings, yet moves not — ye have played 

Among the palms of Mexico and vines 

Of Texas, and have crisped the limpid brooks 

That from the fountains of Sonora glide 

Into the calm Pacific — have ye fanned 

A nobler or lovlier scene than this ? 

Man hath no part in all this glorious work ? 

The hand that built the firmament hath heaved 

And smoothed these verdant swells, and sown their hopes 

With herbage, planted them with island groves, 

And hedged them round with forests. Fitting floor 

For this magnificent temple of the sky — 

With flowers whose glory and whose multitude 

Rival the constellations! The great heavens 

Seem to stoop down upon the scene in love — 

A nearer vault, and a tenderer hue 

Than that which bends above the eastern hills." 

A little more than one-fifth of the county is prairie, and of a very- 
excellent quality. In fact there is no better soil in the state than that 
found in the prairies of Nodaway County. On nearly all of the divides 
between the running streams are found large tracts of beautiful, rolling 
prairie lands, well drained, easily cultivated, highly productive and con- 
veniently located to water, timber, mills and markets. The character of 
the soil in these prairies is such that good crops are raised even during 
the very wet and very dry seasons. The soil is light and porous, so that 
ten hours of bright sunshine will dry the roads after a heavy rain and 
fit the plowed fields to be cultivated. The same peculiarity of soil 
which enables crops to withstand much moisture and thrive during a 
very wet season, also enables them to endure prolonged drouths — the 
soil, being very porous, is capable of absorbing a large amount of water 
during the rainy season, and when the drouth sets in, the forces of 
nature bring back to the surface the surplus moisture from the subter- 
raneous storehouses with as much ease as the water in the first place was 
absorbed. This is not the case with that quality of soil commonly 
known as hard-pan ; the subsoil not being porous, only a small quantity 
of water is absorbed, after which it gathers on the surface in pools, and is 
then carried away by the process of evaporation ; drouth sets in, and as 
soon as the moisture is exhausted from the surface soil, plants wither 
and die. 



CHAPTER IV. 

GEOLOGY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Professor G. C. Broadhead, in the geological report of 1873, says: 

The formations in Nodaway County consist of the quaternary 
deposits and coal-measures. 

Quaternary. — The alluvial deposits are quite extensive along the 
streams, and do not materially differ from similar formations in other 
counties of this part of Missouri. The "bluff" formation overlies the 
surface of the hills, but is probably not so thick as in Atchison County. 

Drift. — The "bowlder" formation is not so generally diffused, nor 
are there such deep deposits found, as in some counties further east, nor 
are the bowlders large. At Lanning's Mill, in the northern part of 
township sixty-three, range thirty-three, are found rounded bowlders of 
granite, quartzite and limestone. A few pebbles are found near Graham, 
in the southwestern portion of the county. In township sixty-six, on 
points of the hills west of Nodaway River, the soil is sandy, and many 
rounded pebbles are found strewn around, mostly consisting of granite, 
quartzite, etc. 

Upper Carboniferous or Coal-measures. — The rock-strata seen in 
this county, embrace a vertical thickness of about 230 feet of the upper 
members of the Upper Coal measures, and are included between Nos. 224 
and 174 of the General Section of the Upper Coal measures. 

Although some parts of the county are well supplied with rock, in 
others no outcrops appear. On the Nodaway River and its tributaries, 
it is occasionally found as far up as Quitman. From this place to City 
Bluffs, no outcrops appear on the eastern side of the river, and it is over 
six miles further to the next outcrop. Passing east of the Nodaway 
River, through townships sixty-five and sixty-six, no outcrops are seen 
until we reach Honey Creek and the Platte River, in the eastern part of 
the county. Limestone is occasionally found in the Platte River bluffs. 
from section thirteen, township sixty-four, range thirty-four, to section 
sixteen, township sixty-five, range thirty-three ; with this exception we 
find no other exposures in township sixty-four, east of the Nodaway 
River water shed. On the Platte River and Long Branch, in townships 
sixty-two and sixty-three, there are very few rock exposures. In the 
same townships, on the White Cloud, and the One-Hundred-and-Two 
Rivers, rock, including both sandstone and limestone, is more abundant. 



102 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The rocks along the Nodaway River and its tributaries occupy the 
highest geological position of any seen in the county ; the highest in the 
series are the shales, with included iron carbonate concretions exposed 
at City Bluffs, referred to in Numbers 224 to 221, inclusive. 

The formations seen on the Platte River may include the lowest 
rocks exposed in this county. At Lanning's Mill, on the north line of 
section one, township sixty-five, range thirty-four, there is a low bluff of 
gray, blue and drab limestone, referrable to Number 186, of the General 
Section of Upper Coal Measures. Its contained fossils include Myalina 
subquadrata, Athyvis subtilita and Sp. cameratus. 

On the Platte River, in the southwest coVner of section sixteen, 
township sixty-five, range thirty-three, there is exposed nine feet of 
irregularly-bedded bluff limestone, containing some blue chert, the lower 
beds somewhat brownish. This also, is probably equivalent to Number 
186. Beds of limestone and sandstone are exposed on Honey Creek, 
near and at Mrs. Martin's, in section twenty-five, township sixty-four, 
range thirty-four, whose geological position is probably between Num- 
bers 179 and 186. A quarter of a mile below Mrs. Martin's, several feet 
of sandstone is e\posed, in layers of five to seven inches, and is said to be 
a good rock for grind stones. 

Above the Platte River bridge, probably a little north of the town- 
ship line, between townships sixty-two and sixty-three, we have — 

Section 92. 

No. 1 — 12 feet slope of river terrace ; outcrop of shelly limestone at 
the lower part, containing Scliloodus, Fusulina and a cast of Bcllerophon. 

2 — 6 inches flagstone ; even layer of strong and tough limestone, 
containing Bellerophon carbonarius. 

3 — 4 inches like the last, but containing a small plant. 

4 — 5 f eet of shelly, gray limestone, containing remains of Bellerophon, 
cast of Bellcrassus, remains of Nautilus, Naticopsis Altonensis, Athyris 
subtilita, Prod. Nebrascensis. The remains of the fossils seem generally 
to be replaced by calcite crystalized. I also observed Myalina and 
Aviculopecten; and Fusulina cylindrica was very abundant. West of 
this, on Long Branch, I observed an outcrop of limestone in two layers, 
the upper, six inches, the lower, five inches, separated by six inches of 
olive shales. The principal observed fossils were Sperifer cameratus, 
Sp. li neat us, a small Productus, Prod, Roger si, Athyris subtilita, 
Chonetes, Pi una peraeuta, Murchisonia, Naticopsis. A spring issues 
from the base of this rock. I refer these beds to No. 186 of General 
Section. 

On the east side of the One Hundred and Two River, and about 
four miles south of Bridgevvatcr, I observed a coarse, hard and tough, 
brown, ferruginous and somewhat oolitic limestone, containing but few 
fossils, but among them I observed Meekella and Myalina Swaljovi. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 103 

This limestone I refer to No. 182 of General Section, and it is probably 
the equivalent of the rock used in the abutments of the bridge at 
Barnard. The latter was quarried on west side of the One Hundred 
and Two River, about two miles northwest. A mile and a half north, 
we find beds exposed, belonging to Nos. 184 and 186. No 186 is eight 
feet thick and burned into lime. Below it, there is two feet of brown 
shales, then mostly three feet of olive shales, resting on ash-gray lime- 
stone, No. 184. 

The last named limestone (No. 184) contains minute calcite specks, 
thoroughly diffused, and would doubtless appear very well if polished. 
A quarter of a mile north, on the One Hundred and Two River, lime- 
stone No. 186 is seen, 11^ feet thick, at 20 feet above the stream. 

Less than a mile south of Bridgewater, we find exposed the follow- 
ing: 

Section 89. 

No. 1 — Slope. 

2 — 1 foot 8 inches dark, chocolate colored limestone, weathering 
brown. 

3 — 10 feet shales. 

4—6 feet shaly limestone. 

5 — 5 feet 8 inches thick-bedded, soft and hard sandstone, outer beds 
course brown, sometimes traversed by minute veins of calcite ; some 
interior beds are indurated, bluish-gray and calcereous. 

6 — 15 feet slope, covered with debris from above. 

7 — 9 feet shelly limestone in river — No. 186. Fusulina abounds in 
the latter. 

The last named limestone occupies the bed of the river at Howard's 
Mill, at Bridgewater, and is occasionally seen up Dog Creek. 

Section 87, on Dog Creek, a half mile up stream, is as follows: 

No. 1 — Slope. 
2 — Loose fossils, overlying No. 3 ; including RJiombopora, Archceci- 
daris and Cnnoidece. 

3 — 16 inches blue limestone, weathering brown. 
4 — 7 feet slope. 
5 — 2 feet brown shales. 

6 — 7 feet irregularly-bedded limestone, (186), contains Fusulina, 
Spr. cameratus and Prod. spLndcns. 

11 — 2 inches brown, ochrey shales. 

12 — \\ feet of gray shales. 

13 — 2 feet green, nodular shales. 

14 — 2 feet 4 inches yellow shales, with nodular limestone layers. 

15 — 1 foot of suboolitic, firmly adhering, buff limestone.' 

16 — 3 feet of dull, ash-blue limestone, with shaly parting, containing 
ArcJueocidaris, Spirifier cameratus and Prod. Nebrascensis\ No. 199. 



104 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

17 — 9 inches dark olive shales, containing Spirifer, Crinoids, etc. 
1 8 — i foot of dark ash limestone, containing Archceocidaris, Fistu- 
lipora nodulifera, Rhombopora, Lepidodendroides, Ariculopcetcn carbon- 
iferous, Scaphiocrinus hemisphericus, Zeacrinus ; No. 197. 

Portions of the above section occur on the Nodaway River, one mile 
below the mouth of Sand Creek. 

At Quitman, we find limestone corresponding to No. 1 of the above 
section in the bed of the stream ; the overlying rocks are the following : 
Section 84. 

No. 1 — Slope of bluff clays. 
2 — 22 inches blue spathic limestone, containing Bellerophon (large 
sp.,) B. Kansasensis, remains of a Plenrotomaria, and a very small gas- 
teropod 1-16 of an inch long, with six whorls. 
3 — 2\ feet sandy shales. 

4 — 2 feet ash-blue limestone, containing Terebratula bovidcns, 
Syntrilasm hemiplicata, Productus, Prattenianus, Naticopis Skumardi ; 
No. 218. 

5 — 26 inches olive and drab shales ; in the lower I foot are fossils, 
including Sp. planoconvexus, Rynchonetta Osagcnsis, Enomph a/us rcgo- 
sus and Aviccalopecten Cox anus. 

6 — 14 inches rotten coal, No. 215. 

7 — 2% feet gray and ochrey sandy clay, with remains of plants^ 
Stigmaria, ficoides, etc. 

8 — 8 feet five inches, sandy shales. 

9 — 4 feet irregularly-bedded, brownish-drab sandstone. 
10 — 7 feet sandy shales. 

11 — 1 foot blue, argillaceous shales, containing Aviculopecten occi- 
dentalis ; No. 213. 

12 — 3 feet shaly slope. 
13 — 2 feet dark blue shales. 

14 — 2 feet blue, compact limestone, containing Avieulopinna Ameri- 
cana, a large Piscina, a Lingula, Cordaites and remains of other plants, 
and a fish tooth. At City Bluffs, formerly known as Halsey's Ferry, on 
the Nodaway River, a shaft has been sunk forty feet deep, reaching the 
coal of the Quitman section at 24 feet below water. Opposite the mill- 
dam are seen the highest rocks in the county. The section of them is 
the following : 

No. 1 — A few feet of a porous, ferruginous limestone, closely resem- 
bling the bluff limestone, over the coal near Rulo and the mouth of the 
Big Nemaha, in Nebraska, No. 224. 

No. 2 — 76 feet shales, containing beds of carbonate of iron near the 
upper part, a bed of septaria at forty feet from bottom, and a calcareo- 
ferruginous bed just below, containing Prod Prattcnianus, Nos. 221,. 222 
and 223. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 105 

No. 3 is about twenty-four feet to the coal, including shales and 
limestones. 

The rocks gradually rise from this, northward, and at Allen's coal 
bank, near the northwest corner of Township 66, .Range 36, we find the 
coal corresponding to No. 215 of Gen. Sec, about the water line in the 
Nodaway River. Less than a quarter of a mile the deep blue limestone, 
No. 212 of Gen. Sec, is in the bed of the stream, indicating a rise in 
that distance of twenty feet. 

At Braddy's Mill, in Iowa, about a mile and a half further north, we 
find green shales corresponding to No. 203 of Gen. Sec, at the edge of 
water, indicating a rise of thirty-seven feet in one and a half miles, with- 
out reckoning the descent of the stream in that distance. This rise 
must continue some distance, for the coal above named is mined at 
Clarinda, twelve miles north. 

Section 88 was obtained at Dog Creek, on the land of John Lund, 
in the northwest of the northwest section 62, township 63, range 35, as 
follows : 

No. 1 — Slope. 
2 — 1 foot olive shales, No. 210. 

3 — 5 inches ash-blue limestone, No. 209 ; contains Hemipronites 
crassus, Productus splendens, Chronites Smithii, and Rhombopora lapi- 
dodendroides. 

4 — 23 inches shales, upper half a dark olive, and calcareous ; bitu- 
minous below ; contains Spirifer (Martinia) planoconvexus and Cor- 
daites. 

5 — 10 inches blue limestone ; containing Hemipronites. The inte- 
rior of the fossils is crystallized calcite. Corresponds to No. 206. 
6 — 4 feet somewhat sandy, olive and blue shales. 
7 — 2 feet shales and nodular limestone. 
8 — 7 inches suboolitic, coarse gray limestone, No. 201. 
9 — 6 inches nodular, calcareous shales, No. 200. 

10 — 2\ feet coarse, shaly, ash-colored limestone, No. 199. 

11 — 13 inches olive shales. 

12—3 feet of dull, deep ash-blue limestone; weathers drabs, con- 
tains Prod, punctatus, No. 197. 

13 — 7 inches dark blue, calcareous shales; contains Archnescidaris, 
Scaphiscrimus hemisphericus, No. 196. 

14—9 inches irregular bed of blueish-gray limestone, contains calcite 
veins and specks, and zinc-blende. Hemipronites crassus is also con- 
tained. 

15 — 9 inches, dark, sandy micaceous shales, No. 195. 

16 — \\ to 2\ inches bituminous coal. 

17—5 inches even layers of regularly laminated black sandstone, 
slightly calcareous. 



106 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

18 — 8 inches sandy clay, No. 193. 

19 — Blue fire clay ; 3 feet is exposed ; said to be six or seven feet 
thick. 

Most of the rocks of the above section are exposed on Peter Collins' 
land, west of Bridgewater. The thin coal-seam is also seen, but I do 
not consider it of any economic value. 

This seam is represented by bituminous shales, near Oregon, Holt 
County. In the quarries on Collins' land, No. 210 was observed, con- 
taining Fusulina cylindrica, Crinoid stems, and Zeacrinus mucrospinus. 
In No. 212, I observed Cetenacanthus (sp.,) Lingula and Rhyncho- 
nella Osagensis. 

In No. 209, I observed sp. cameratus, Chonetes, Smithii, sp. Ken- 
tuckensis, Prod. Prattenianus, Retzia, punctulifera, Crinoids, Rhonbopora, 
lepidodendroides, ALUs Swallovi. 

West of this, on White Cloud Creek, we find some of the members 
of the last section, including the thin coal-seam. 

On Elkhorn Creek, southeast of Graham, we find about 10 feet of 
limestone, No. 186 cropping out near the water. It is of grayish color, 
the upper part brown-tinged ; below is dark shaly, and reposing on 
blue clay shales. On the Nodaway River, west, are outcrops of lime- 
stone, No. 197, and its correlated beds. 

Formations along and near the Nodaway River. — In townships 62 
and 63, we find strata included from Nos. 182 to 210. On Mr. Bagby's 
land, near the center of section 15, township 63, range 37, rocks included 
in section 81 are the following: 

No. 1 — 2 feet dark olive clay shales. 
2 — 9 inches bituminous shales. 

3 — 1 foot of even-bedded blue limestone ; contains Hemipronites 
crassus and Productus Nebrascensis, Prod. Prattenianus, Polypora (sp.) 
The interior of the Producti is replaced by calcite crystals, No. 206. 

4 — 2 feet blue clay shales ; a lasting spring of water issues from 
them. 

5 — 12 to 16 inches of concretionary limestone, with carbonaceous 
remains of plants. 

6 — 4 to 5 feet green shales. 

7 — Limestone in creek, having a vitreous appearance. 
Three miles northwest of this, on the Nodaway River, at the OKI 
Mill site, in section five, township sixty-three, range thirty-seven, these 
beds are well exposed, with other correlated strata. A descriptive sec- 
tion is as follows : 
Section 82. 

No. I — 2 feet deep blue, compact limestone, in even 6 to 10 inch 
layers, containing Lingula, Prothyn's elegans, Edmondia Nebrascensis, 
Discina, Aviculopinna Americana, No. 212. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 07 

2 — 6 inches deep ash blue limestone ; contains Athyn's subtilita, 
Prod. Nebrascensis, Prod. Prattenianus, Edmondia Nebrascensis, Avicu- 
lopecten, Macrocheilus, Orthoceras cribosum, the pygidium of a Phillip- 
sia, Crinoideas, Rhombopora Lepidodendroides, Fistulipora nodulifira, 
Synocladia biscrialis and Polypora Submarginata, No. 211. 

3 — 4 feet bluff shales and limestone, nodules abounding in fossils, 
including Fusulina cylindrica, Rhombopora, Chartetes, Byozoa, Archiseo- 
cidaris, Crinoid stems, Prod, splendens, Terabratula bovidens, Retzia 
punctulifera and Spirifier, No. 210. 

4 — 10 inches blue limestone full of remains of fossils, including 
Hemipronites crassus and Rhombopora. The Brachiopoda are generally 
replaced by calcite, No. 209. 

5 — 1 foot of blue calcareous shales, full of fossils, including Athyris 
subtilita, Prod, splendens, Prod Nebrascensis and Orthis carbonaria, 

6 — 1 inch bituminous shales. 

7 — 9 inches dark blue shales. 

8 — 5 inches black, bituminous shales. 

9 — 3 inches Olive shales. 

10 — 10 inches deep blue limestone ; abounds in fossils, including 
Bellerophon, Hemipronites and Edmondia. The interior of fossils is 
replaced by calcite, No. 206. 

9 — 4 inches chocolate-colored, sandy, calcareous clay. 
10 — 1 foot blue, sandy clay. 

11 — 1 foot green, nodular shales, brown on top. 
12 — 2 feet green shales in water, No. 203. 

We perceive that the upper beds of this section correspond to the 
upper beds of section at Milton, Nodaway River, twenty miles south, 
and also correspond to the base of section at Quitman. 

NODAWAY COAL. 

The only coal within working distance from the surface is that cor- 
responding to No. 215 of the General Section. It is found on Nodaway 
River at Allen's, within two miles of the Iowa line, on Mill Creek, and 
southward to Quitman, near Quitman, on Sand Creek, Florida Creek, 
and Elkhorn. In thickness it varies from nine to sixteen inches, and is 
of rather inferior quality, containing a large per cent of ash. In 1872 
the coal at Allen's was hidden by fallen debris and drifted material from 
the stream. Our section, taken in i860, shows the following : 

No. 1 — Slope from hill above. 

2 — 12 feet shales ; drab, with buff and brown tinge ; contains con- 
cretions of ironstone. 

5 — 51 feet slope, including a local drift of debris from above. 

4 — 41 feet dull, lead-colored limestone, possessing a rough fracture ; 
in two beds, the upper containing a thin, spathic scam, with crystalline 



IOS HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

fibres perpendicular to stratum ; the lower, weathering brown, is pyri- 
tiferous, and does not make good lime ; contains Eutolinum aviculatum 
and Enmicrotis, Chonetes , and Athyris, No. 218. 

5 — 1| feet blue and bituminous shales, containing black septaria, 
enclosing Bellerophon carbonarius, etc. 

6 — 20 inches alternations of blue shales, with coal as follows : 

No. 1 — 54 inches good coal, a little shaly about the middle. 

2 — 4 inches dark, lead-blue clay shales. 

5 — 2 inches good coal. 

4 — 3 blue shales. 

5 — 6 inches good coal, with one inch of clay near the middle. 

6 — Fire clay. 

Brick of good quality is made from the overlying shales, Nos. 2 and 
3 of the section. The lower layers are the best. The clay is dug out, 
allowed to slake, and mixed, one -third of it, with sand and clay. The 
vein reached in the shaft at City Bluffs was reported to be 16 inches thick. 
On Samuel Bowman's land, in section 31, township 65, range 37, the coal 
is 14 to 18 inches thick, cropping out in the branch. 

The coal mine of James C. Smith is located on the northwest of the 
southwest quarter section 9, township 64, range 37, a half mile south of 
Quitman. It is reached by a horizontal entry into the hill. We find 
here exposed : 

No. 1 — 2 feet spathic limestone, No. 220. 

2—2 feet shales, No. 219. 

3 — 1 foot shales, with thin limestone strata. 

4 — 16 inches limestone, No. 218. 

5 — 2 feet clay shales, bituminous at lower part. 

6 — 12 inches coal, sometimes thickening to 16 inches. 

7 — 2 feet clay shales. 

Spirifer planoconrexus occurs in the overlying blue shales. The 
coal is bright, black and tolerably hard, the top and middle harder than 
the bottom. It is joined with intervening calcite-plates, and contains 
some iron pyrites. An analysis by Mr. Regis Chaurenet, chemist, for 
the surgery, gives : 

Water 3-53 

Volatile matter 42.72 

Fixed carbon 4°-7 ! 

Ash 1 3-04 

Color of ash a very light brown. 

The section of Burdick's coal bank, one mile below the mouth of 
Lund Creek, as observed by Mr. C. J. Norwood, is as follows: 
Section 86. 
No. 1 — 20 feet slope. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. IO9 

2 — 2 feet clay shales. 

3 — 16 inches ash-gray limestone, shelly on top ; contains some fos- 
sils, Nucula Beyrichii, a Goniatite, Murchisonia, etc. 

4 — 2\ feet dark-blue clay shales. 

5 — 16 inches hard, ash-blue limestone, containing Entolium aricula- 
tum, Edmondia Nebrascensis, Athyris Subtilita, spirifer planocon- 
rexus, Prod, splendens, Bellerophon Kansasensis, crinoid stems, Hemi- 
pronitas crassus, Ariculopecten occidentalis, Pinna peracuta, Edmondia 
reflexa, Lingula, Prod. Prattenianus, Nautilus — Polypora submarginata, 
(No. 218.) 

6 — 3 feet four inches shales. 
7 — 11 inches coal, No. 215. 

On Sand Creek, one mile east of its mouth, Mr, C. J. Norwood 
observed — 

No. 1 — Slope. 

2 — 14 inches ash gray limestone, somewhat splintery, abounding in 
fossils, many similar to some of those found at Burdick's and also con- 
taining Naticopsis Altonensis, Spirifer cameratus, Syntrilasma hermipli- 
cata and Euomphalus rugosus. 

3 — 4 inches yellow and gray argillaceous shales. 

4 — 1 foot slaty shale. 

5 — 1 foot soft black shale. 

6 — 3 inches bituminous shales. 

7 — I foot hard black shales. 

8 — Coal, said to be one foot thick. 

On William Smith's land, in the northwest quarter of section three, 
township sixty-three, range thirty-seven, the coal is about six inches in 
thickness, and is separated by four feet of shales from the limestone 
above. 

At Charles P. Martin's, in the northeast quarter of the northeast 
quarter of section twenty-six, township sixty-four, range thirty-seven : 

Section 83. 

No. 1 — 16 feet bluff and drift ; the lower two feet pebbles and sand 
of the drift. 

2 — 2 feet olive shales, No. 219 of General Section. 

3- — 17 inches ash blue limestone; weathers brown. 

4 — 4 feet eight inches shales, subdivided as follows : 

No. 1 — 16 inches olive shales, with white specks. 

2 — 5 inches bituminous shales. 

3 — 9 inches olive clay shales. 

4 — 2 feet bituminous shales. 

5 — 10 inches coal, No. 215 of General Section. 

6 — gh feet lead blue micaceous sandstone. 

7—8 feet blue, sandy shales. 



IIO HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

8 — 4 feet blue clay shales. 

9 — 4 feet deep blue, compact limestone in even flags ; contains Prod. 
Nebrascensis, Prinna peracuta, Edmondia Nebrascensis, Prothgris ele- 
gans, Pleurophorus, Prod. Prattenianus and a small Myalina. 

Coal crops out at several places in this neighborhood, in thickness 
varying from nine to twelve inches. On the land of the Maryville Coal 
Company, in the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 
twenty-five, township sixty-four, range thirty-seven, it is six inches thick, 
the lower part intersected by a seam of pyrite. 

By comparing the above sections we find the coal to be much thicker 
in the northern part of the county, and thinning as we go south. This is 
further verified by observations on the Missouri River bluffs, near Forest 
City, Holt County, where it is only from two to four inches thick. When 
we say that this and the coal of Andrew and Buchanan Counties are the 
only seams in the upper coal series of Missouri thick enough to work in 
a total thickness of over 1,000 feet, we may well term the upper series 
" Barren Measures." On the waters of Elkhorn Creek, in the north- 
west part of township sixty-three, range thirty-seven, we find beds of 
limestone, whose position is over the coal, indicating its presence 
beneath. But nowhere east of the divide, between the waters of the 
Nodaway River and those of the One Hundred and Two River, are there 
any accessible beds of coal in this county worthy of notice. To reach 
good coal, shafts would have to be extended a long distance into the 
rocks below. From a careful summation of measurements, I find that 
from the Nodaway coal (215) the depth is about 395 feet, to the one foot 
seam of Buchanan and Andrew Counties, occurring in No. 134, or, 1,160 
feet to the Holden coal, also of one foot thickness, or, 1,233 teet to the 
Lexington coal. With these facts before us, it would be expensive work 
to sink a shaft in search of coal. A shaft sunk from the top of the lime- 
stone, in the river at Brdgewater, would only lessen the depth about 
seventy feet. I mention this, because it is the easiest limestone to rec- 
ognize in the central and eastern portions of the country. 

There are several coal mines in the county, that are being successfully 
and profitably worked. The best are perhaps in Atchison Township, 
located near Quitman, and are a source of income to the town, large quan- 
tities of coal being shipped. There are seven mines of coal being 
worked at the present time. The names of the persons or firms mining 
coal are as follows: David Kimball, Chas. Leonard, Emmerson & Brig- 
man, Brigman Bros., Manorgan Bros., Ellsworth & Wells and Neely 
Bros. There are thirty miners at work who take out daily 700 or 800 
bushels of coal. During the winter season, when the demand for coal 
increases, the number of miners is increased. Some shaft and others 
slope to the coal and then drift. The veins are from fourteen to eighteen 
• nches in thickness, and the quality of the coal is quite good. The 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I I I 

deeper veins, which could probably be found anywhere in this county by 
boring, will doubtless produce a better quality, as the rule generally is 
the deeper the vein the thicker and better the coal, ceteris paribus. 

There are excellent stone quarries at Quitman which yield a very 
fine quality of blue limestone. The stone is used for flagging in the 
town and building, and serves the purpose well. 

BURLINGTON MINERAL SPRINGS. 

These springs have for years been tested as to their medical proper- 
ties. The following analysis has been recently made by Merrill & 
Wright, of St. Louis : 

Specific Gravity, i.ooii. 

Carbonic Acid, 64 cubic inches per gallon. 

Carbonate of Lime 1.04 Grains. 

Carbonate of Magnesia 1.00 " 

Carbonate of Iron 2.31 " 

Sulphate of Lime 2.65 " 

Chloride of Sodium 1.42 " 

Silica 77 

Alumina 41 " 

Organic and Volatile Matter 45 " 

11.05 

This analysis shows the springs to possess rare virtues. A more 
complete and perfect combination of the most essential minerals, with 
less waste matter, cannot be found. The water is very pure and as 
clear as crystal. 

The springs are located on Mineral Branch, a small tributary of the 
Nodaway River, one mile southwest of the city of Burlington Junction, 
Nodaway County, Missouri. Near the spring are beautiful groves for 
public purposes, or tenting grounds. A picturesque little lake, covering 
nine acres, fed by springlets, abounding with fish, and its banks lined 
with shady nooks, all combine to make this a pleasant resort. Public 
drives will be opened around the lake and through the groves, and not a 
more beautiful spot could be found in the Missouri Valley. The lake is 
now supplied with boats for the accommodation of the public. 

A good bath house with all the improved fixtures, and contain- 
ing ample accommodations has been erected at the spring. It is under 
tlie care of Dr. James Evans, an able and experienced physician, who 
controls the bathing and gives medical advice. Those attending the 
springs can have the benefit of his professional counsel. 



112 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



MINERAL WELL. 



This well is located in the town of Burlington Junction, and is owned 
by Mr. J. T. Anderson. The peculiarity of this water is its pureness, 
and yet it is claimed that it has all the essential minerals. It is very 
much like the Eureka Springs, holding about the same amouru of min- 
eral substance, and in nearly the same proportions. The analysis of the 
Eureka Springs give 5-§5 grains to the gallon. Bath houses have been 
constructed. 

From an analysis made by Wright & Merrill, of St. Louis, July 27, 
1881, it was determined that one gallon of 231 cubic inches contains the 
following ingredients : 

Specific gravity, 1.0010. 

Total solids per gallon 5.61 Grains. 

Sodic Carbonate 2.00 

Calcic " 30 

Magnesia " 1.24 

Ferrus " 37 

Magnesia Sulphate 13 

Calcis " 50 

Silica 18 

Sodium Chloride 25 

Organic Volatile matter and loss 64 

Carbonic Acid Gas, per gallon 18 cubic in. 




CHAPTER V. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

IMPORTANCE OF FIRST BEGINNINGS— WHEN AND WHERE COMMENCED. 

Every nation does not possess an authentic account of its origin, 
neither do all communities have the correct data whereby it is possible 
to accurately predicate the condition of their first beginnings. Never- 
theless, to be intensely interested in such things is characteristic of the 
race, and it is particularly the province of the historian to deal with 
first causes. Should these facts, as is often the case, be lost in the myth- 
ical tradition of the past, the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal 
and compels his imagination to paint the missing picture. The patriotic 
Roman was not content till he had found the "First Settlers," and then 
he was satisfied, although they were found in the very undesirable com- 
pany of a wolf, and located on a drift, which the receding waters of the 
Tiber had permitted them to pre-empt. 

One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country 
and one seldom appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to the first 
beginnings. We are thus enabled, not only to trace results to their 
causes, but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and 
mold these causes. We observe that a state or county has attained a 
certain position, and w r e at once try to trace out the reasons for this 
position in its early settlement and surroundings, in the class of men 
by whom it was peopled, and in the many chances and changes which 
have wrought out results in all the recorded deeds of mankind. In the 
history of Nodaway County we may trace its early settlers to their 
homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the Old World. 
We may follow the course of the hardy backwoodsman of the "Buckeye" 
or the " Hoosier" state, or from Kentucky and Virginia on his way west 
" to grow up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his 
willing heart to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife and 
a competence for his children. Again, we will see that others have 
been animated with the impulse to " move on," after making themselves 
a part of the community, and have sought the newer parts of the extreme 
west, where civilization had not penetrated, or returned to their native 
soil. We shall find much of that distinctive New England character 

8 



114 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

which has contributed so many men and women to other portions of our 
state, and the west ; also, we shall find many an industrious native of 
Germany or the British Isles, and a few of the industrious and econom- 
ical French — all of whom have contributed to modify types of men 
already existing here. 

Those who have noted the career of the descendants of these brave, 
strong men, in subduing the wilds and overcoming the obstacles and 
withstanding the hardships of this country in early times, can but admit 
they are worthy sons of illustrious sires. 

The first settlement made within the limits of what is now known 
as Nodaway County, was effected in the spring of 1839, by Isaac Hogan, 
a native of the state of Tennessee. He pitched his tent near what is now 
known as Brown's Spring, just south of the present village of Graham. 
Here he built a cabin, which was at the time the only evidence of the 
presence of civilized man north of the Nodaway River. For the follow- 
ing interesting particulars relating to this settlement we are indebted to 
Dr. J. W. Morgan, who is himself one of the earliest pioneers of the 
county : 

In the spring of 1839, Isaac Hogan, in company with Daniel Hoganv 
Richard Taylor, a gentleman who had married a sister of the Hogans, 
and Robert M. Stewart, then a wandering youth, since governor of the 
state, concluded to seek a better country, and with a two-horse wagon 
and camp equipage, an axe, a shovel and grubbing hoe, started to 
explore the Nodaway Valley country, recently purchased from the Indians. 
In March, 1839, they crossed a stream that has since been called Elk- 
horn, and encamped at what is now known as Laughlin's brick yard, 
in what is now called Hughes Township, one-half mile south of Graham. 
On the following morning one of the horses was lame and unfit for 
travel, and they concluded to take a hunt, and after an examination of 
the resources of the country, they were not willing to proceed further. 
They had found a country that they would be glad to call home. They 
were tired and slept. Next morning a division of the new Canaan had 
to be entered into. Isaac Hogan, being senior of the company, had the 
first selection. His choice was the tract of land on which the thriving 
and enterprising city of Graham is now situated. Daniel, being a 
brother of the chief, selected the claim now owned by our esteemed 
Teutonic friend, Philip Maurer. Taylor selected what is known as the 
Hiram Groves or J. O. Brink tract of land. R. M. Stewart chose as his 
claim the fine land now owned by Nicholas Kavanaugh and William 
Burn's. 

Isaac Hogan remained, broke a few acres near Graham, and planted 
corn, while the remainder of the party returned to Platte County. After 
the return of the latter, Isaac Hogan was perhaps the only living white 
man north of the Nodaway River in the Platte Purchase. He built a log 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I I 5 

cabin near what is known as Brown's Spring, which rises in the south 
side of Graham, and affords an abundance of water for the town. During 
the month of June following he joined his family in Platte County, where 
he remained until the following winter. 

Daniel Hogan, Richard Taylor and R. M. Stewart arrived in Platte 
County in a reasonable length of time, considering all the obstacles with 
which they had to contend. There being no wagon roads north of New 
Market, in Buchanan County, they followed Indian trails as near as was 
possible ; yet it was extremely slow traveling, as they would often have 
to examine a small stream for several miles before they could find a 
point at which they could effect a crossing. On reaching home, Hogan 
and Taylor planted corn and cultivated it during the summer. R. M. 
Stewart hired out by the month to Joel Hedgpeth — hoed corn for thirty- 
seven and a-half cents per day, during the crop season. Of rainy days 
and at idle times he read Blackstone and the Statutes of Missouri. He 
practiced law for a number of years afterward ; was captain of a com- 
pany during the Mexican War, and was finally elected Governor of the 
State. Since then his life has become a part of the history of the State 
and of the nation, and is familiar to all. 

Isaac Hogan, above referred to, and who was the first white man to 
settle in Nodaway County, met a most singular and painful death while 
on his way in 1850 with a company of emigrants to the Pacific Coast. 

He seems to have had a great antipathy to the Indians, and rashly 
declared that he would shoot the first Indian that he saw. As the party 
of emigrants advanced, they arrived at length among the Sioux, who 
had always been friendly to the whites. It was their boast then that 
they had never shed the blood of a white man. A squaw coming into 
the camp one evening, he shot her without provocation, and without the 
knowledge or consent of his companions. The Indians missing her, 
found that she had been murdered, and held a council. The next morn- 
ing they demanded the murderer. The party of emigrants were power- 
less to resist an attack from the Indians, and did not seem to have any 
disposition to shield the perpetrator of such a crime from justice, aud so 
gave him up, not knowing what a terrible fate awaited him. The Indians 
took him a short distance from camp, and stripped and tied him to a 
tree. They then cut his skin in strips, and making cross sections, tore 
off the pices of skin with bullet molds. They continued this process 
until he was fairly flayed alive, or died under sufferings which passed the 
point of human endurance. The Sioux did not molest the remainder of 
the party, but having wreaked their vengeance on the perpetrator of the 
dastardly deed, they peaceably went their way. 

Early in the spring of 1840, Hiram Hall settled on a tract of land 
some eight miles south of Maryville, since known as the Prather place. 
Hall was a man of considerable will power, that is, whenever he under- 



Il6 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

took anything his intention was that his purpose should be accomplished. 
He thought he had chosen one of the most desirable locations that the 
human eye had ever beheld. He determined to make it his home while 
he was an inhabitant of this terrestrial sphere ; in this he was mistaken, 
poverty compelled him to abandon his home, but not until he had built 
a house and made considerable improvements. Hill being pecuniarily 
embarrassed, concluded that it was best for him, and those whom God 
had given him, to seek a different locality. Accordingly he sold his 
claim to Colonel Prather, (of. whom we will speak hereafter), and settled 
across the One Hundred and Two River, about one mile from Bridge- 
water. He was still enabled to keep his head above the wave, and he 
bravely commenced developing the resources of the country, and was 
looked upon as one of the moneyed men, able to go forward and succeed 
in business. He built a comfortable residence, yea, a magnificent one for 
that day. It was a building 16x32 feet, fronting the south, the main body 
of the building was of hewn logs placed together, the corners notched 
down in a dovetailed manner ; in the center was a hall six feet in width, 
the partitions being made out of the same kind of material as the walls, the 
roof was of clapboards, and rested on streamers, called ribs, the boards 
were secured by weight poles — poles cut and fastened down on each 
layer or four foot boards — the openings between the logs were closed by 
chinking and plastering or daubed with a material composed of clay, 
ashes and common soil, applied with a trowel made of wood. The door 
to the front entrance was made by using two uprights hewn out of two 
pieces of wood, weatherboarded with common clapboards, smoothed 
down with a drawing knife ; the hinges consisted in an excavation in the 
floor and hoop at the upper end and fastened in the walls ; the latch was 
of wood, with the string ever hanging out ; the floor was made of pun- 
cheons, and the loft was of clapboards. The chimneys, which stood at 
each end of the building, were made in the following manner : In the 
ends there was a space of six feet sawed out of the walls and timber 
split, the outer ends were secured by notches, the inner ends resting in 
the cracks of the building. They were lined with stone on the back, the 
jambs being lined with a huge stone set on end. The upper portion of the 
chimney was constructed of sticks and clay. The windows consisted of 
holes cut in the sides of the dwelling and cased up with timbers hewn 
out without the aid of a saw, and the openings were inclosed with mus- 
lin oiled o:' greased with tallow or hog's lard. He broke and fenced 
sixty acres of land and put it in a high state of cultivation. Providence 
smiled on him for a number of years, and he accumulated considerable 
wealth. Soon after the Bridgewater Mill was built he purchased a still, 
built a small stillhouse, and commenced making whisky of an inferior 
quality, so much so that it was known in commerce throughout Noda- 
way County as " Hall's Tonic." It was used freely on election, muster 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. \\J 

and horse-racing days by many of the sturdy pioneers. In 1850, his 
health began to fail, and he soon after slept the sleep that knows no 
waking. 

A man by the name of Woodcock occupied a piece of land on the 
east side of White Cloud, just west of Hall's claim ; he built a cabin and 
put in cultivation a small amount of land. During the fall of 1840 
(October 29th), a small company of white men from Kentucky pitched 
their tents on the east bank of the Nodaway River (now Lincoln Town- 
ship), expecting to cross the same on the following morning with their 
wagons, but the river being without a ford, known to them, they passed 
over on foot, leaving their wagons on the opposite side. Two of this 
company immediately began to explore the country in various direc- 
tions, feeling satisfied that they had at last found a favored region, 
wherein they could build their future homes. The names of the two 
pioneers were Joseph Hutson and Thomas Heady. Like all the early 
settlers in the west, they had a preference for timbered districts, and 
while selecting land they discovered the same grove of timber from 
opposite directions, not knowing that they had chosen the same land, 
until after their return to camp. 

Naturally enough, however, after detailing to each other the results 
of their day's rambles, it was ascertained that each had seen and not 
only admired the same grove, but had concluded in his own mind to 
select the land on which it stood. There being no courts in those days, 
wherein the rights of property and titles to land could be tested, they 
finally agreed to shoot at a spot at the distance of sixty yards, the one 
striking nearest the center to take the land. The distance was accord- 
ing stepped off and the parties proceeded to try their skill for the pos- 
session of their chosen home. In the contest, Joseph Hutson, with the 
unerring accuracy of many of his day, drove the center. He still lives 
upon the spot where this novel incident transpired, more than forty years 
ago, on section thirty-two, township sixty-six, range thirty-seven, 
enjoying the fruits of his early struggles. 

Late in the fall of 1840, Col. I. N. Prather, a wealthy Kentuckian 
from Mercer County, located eight miles south of the present town of 
Maryville, on section twenty, township sixty-three, range thirty-five, on 
the White Cloud, in what is now known as White Cloud Township. He 
explored the Platte Purchase in search of a home but found no place 
to suit him until his eye caught sight of that beautiful tract of land 
(eighteen hundred acres) which was for many years his happy home — a 
portion of this tract having been settled at the time by Hiram Hall, who 
had arrived in the spring previous. 

Col. Prather, soon after his settlement here, was made, a colonel of 
militia— troops having been ordered out in anticipation of Indian trou- 
bles. It was at his log cabin that the first county court of Nodaway 



Il8 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

County met and organized. He died in 1859. His wife still survives 
him at the advanced age of seventy-four years. We might state in this 
connection that, at the time of Colonel Prather's arrival, a man named 
James Bryant was temporarily living in a small cabin on the place 
engaged in trading with the Indians, his stock consisting principally of 
whisky. 

From the spring of 1839, to the fall of 1840, there were perhaps, not 
to exceed six permanent settlers in the territory now known as Nod- 
away County. During this time, a number of white men had penetrated 
the country, some on hunting expeditions, and others with the view of 
locating, but its remoteness from the then centers of trade, and the 
country being still inhabited by roving bands of Indians, but few 
remained with their families. We may safely say then, that Isaac 
Hogan, Hiram Hall, Joseph Hutson, Thomas Heady, I. N. Prather, 
Harvey White and possibly one other person, were the first settlers in 
Nodaway County. These settlements were made in Hughes, Lincoln 
and White Cloud Townships, and although scattered, they formed the 
nucleus of a population which has increased in numbers until to-day, 
(1881) thirty thousand people inhabit the territory which they then 
settled. 

Only one of these pioneers is now living. He has witnessed the 
coming of the mighty tide of emigration which has so rapidly settled 
the plains and the valleys of Nodaway County, taking the place of the 
red men, and watched with proud satisfaction, each new development 
of materal wealth, which has marked the advancement of an enterpris- 
ing and thrifty people. To him, forty years have wrought wonderful 
changes, more wonderful perhaps, than he ever dreamed of, in the days 
of his pioneer life, yet how much more marvelous would be the change, 
could he be permitted, to witness forty years hence, the grand trans- 
formations which are destined to characterize the history of Nodaway 
County. 



CHAPTER VI 

PIONEER LIFE. 



THE PIONEERS' PECULIARITIES-CONVENIENCES AND INCONVENIENCES— THE HISTOR- 
ICAL LOG CABIN- AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS - HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE- 
PIONEER CORN-BREAD- HAND MILLS AND HOMINY BLOCKS-GOING TO MILL- 
TRADING POINTS-BEE-TREES— SHOOTING MATCHES AND QUILTINGS. 

In the heart of the grand old forest, 

A thousand miles to the West, 
Where a stream gushed out from the hillside, 

They halted at last for rest. 
And the silence of ages listened 

To the ax-stroke loud and clear, 
Divining a kingly presence 

In the tread of the pioneer. 

He formed of the prostrate branches, 

A home that was strong and good ; 
The roof was of reeds from the streamlet, 

The chimney he built of wood, 
And there by the winter fireside, 

While the flame up the chimney roared, 
He spoke of the good time coming, 

When plenty should crown his board — 

When the forest should fade like a vision, 

And over the hillside and plain 
The orchard would spring in its beauty. 

And the fields of golden grain. 
And to-night he sits by the fireside 

In a mansion quaint and old, 
With his children's 'children round him, 

Having reaped a thousand fold. 

During the decade which comprehends the first ten years of its his- 
tory, the settlement of Nodaway County was in its earliest stage of 
pioneer life. All that can be known of this period must be drawn, 
chiefly, from tradition. 

In those days the people took no care to preserve history — they 
were too busily engaged in making it. Historically speaking, those 
were the most important years of the county, for it was then the founda- 
tion and corner stones of all the county's history and prosperity were 
laid. Yet, this history was not remarkable for stirring events. It was, 
however, a time, of self reliance and brave, persevering toil ; of privations 



120 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

cheerfully endured through faith in a good time coming. The experi- 
ence of one settler was just about the same as that of others. They 
were almost invariably poor, they faced the same hardships and stood 
generally on an equal footing. 

All the experience of the early pioneers of this county goes far to 
confirm the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly balanced in 
this world. They had their privations and hardships, but they had also 
their own peculiar joys. If they were poor, they were free from the 
burden of pride and vanity ; free, also, from the anxiety and care that 
always attends the possession of wealth. Other people's eyes cost them 
nothing. If they had few neighbors, they were on the best of terms with 
those they had. Envy, jealousy and strife had not crept in. A common 
interest and a common sympathy bound them together with the strong- 
est ties. They were a little world to themselves, and the good feeling 
that prevailed was all the stronger because they were so far removed 
from the great world of the east. 

Among these pioneers there was realized such a community of 
interest that there existed a community of feeling. There were no 
castes, except an aristocracy of benevolence, and no nobility, except a 
nobility of generosity. They were bound together with such a strong 
bond of sympathy, inspired by the consiousness of common hardship, 
that they were practically communists. 

Neighbors did not even wait for an invitation or request to help one 
another. Was a settler's cabin burned or blown down ? No sooner was 
the fact known throughout the neighborhood than the settlers assembled 
to assist the unfortunate one to rebuild his home. They came with as 
little hesitation, and with as much alacrity as though they were all mem- 
bers of the same family, and bound together by ties of blood. One 
man's interest was every other man's interest. Now this general 
state of feeling among the pioneers was by no means peculiar to this 
county, although it was strongly illustrated here. It prevailed generally 
throughout the west during the time of the early settlement. The very 
nature of things taught the settlers the necessity of dwelling together in 
this spirit. It was their only protection. They had come far away from 
the well established reign of law, and entered a new country, where the 
civil authority was still feeble and totally unable to afford protection and 
redress grievances. Here the settlers lived some little time before there 
was an officer of the law in the county. Each man's protection was in 
the good will and friendship of those about him, and the thing any man 
might well dread was the ill will of the community. It was more terri- 
ble than the law. It was no uncommon thing in the early times for 
hardened men, who had no fears of jails or penitentiaries, to stand in 
great fear of the indignation of a pioneer community. Such were some 
of the characteristics of Nodaway County. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 121 

HOUSE AND HOME COMFORTS. 

The first buildings in the county were not just like the log cabins 
that immediately succeeded them. The latter required some help and a 
good deal of labor to build. The very first buildings constructed were a 
cross between " hoop cabins " and Indian bark huts. As soon as enough 
men could be got together for a "cabin raising," then log cabins were 
in style. Many a pioneer can remember the happiest time of his life as 
that when he lived in one of these homely but comfortable old cabins. 

A window with sash and glass was a rarity, and was an evidence of 
wealth and aristocracy which but few could support. They were often 
made with greased paper put over the window, which admitted a little 
light, but more often there was nothing whatever over it, or the cracks 
between the logs, without either chinking or daubing, were the depend- 
ence for light and air. The doors were fastened with old-fashioned 
wooden latches, and for a friend, or neighbor, or traveler, the string 
always hung out, for the pioneers of the west were hospitable, and enter- 
tained visitors to the best of their ability. It is noticeable with what 
affection the pioneers speak of their old log cabins. It may be doubted 
whether palaces ever sheltered happier hearts than those homely cabins. 
The following is a good description of these old landmarks, but few of 
which now remain : 

"These were of round logs, notched together at the corners, ribbed 
with poles, and covered with boards split from a tree. A puncheon floor 
was then laid down, a hole cut in the end and a stick chimney run up. A 
clapboard door is made, a window is opened by cutting out a hole in the 
side or end two feet square, and finished without glass or transparency. 
The house is then 'chinked ' and ' daubed ' with mud. The cabin is now 
ready to go into. The household and kitchen furniture is adjusted, and 
life on the frontier is begun in earnest. 

" The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of furniture of the past, was 
made by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end one 
and a half inches in diameter, at right angles, and the same sized holes 
corresponding with those in the logs of the cabin the length and breadth 
desired for the bed, in which are inserted poles. 

" Upon these poles clapboards are laid, or linn bark is interwoven 
consecutively from pole to pole. Upon this primitive structure the bed 
is laid. The convenience of a cook-stove was not thought of, but instead 
the cooking was done by the faithful housewife in pots, kettles, and skil- 
lets, on and about the big fire-place, and very frequently over and around, 
too, the distended pedal extremities of the legal sovereign of the house- 
hold, while the latter was indulging in the luxuries of a cob pipe, and 
discussing the probable results of a contemplated elk hunt up about the 
One Hundred and Two and Nodaway Rivers." 



122 HIS TORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

These log cabins were really not so bad after all. 

The people of to-day, familiarized with "Charter Oak" cooking 
stoves and ranges, would be ill at home were they compelled to prepare 
a meal with no other conveniences than those provided in a pioneer 
cabin. Rude fire-places were built in chimneys composed of mud and 
sticks, or at best, undressed stone. These fire-places served for heating 
and cooking purposes ; also for ventilation. Around the cheerful blaze 
of this fire the meal was prepared, and these meals were not so bad 
after all. As elsewhere remarked, they were not such as would tempt 
the epicure, but such as afforded the most healthful nourishment for a 
race of people who were driven to the exposure and hardships which 
were their lot. We hear of few dyspeptics in those days. Another 
advantage of these cooking arrangements was that the stovepipe never 
fell down, and the pioneer was spared being subjected to the most trying 
of ordeals, and one probably more productive of profanity than any 
other. 

Before the country became supplied with mills which were of easy 
access, and even in some instances afterward, hominy-blocks were used. 
These exist now only in the memory of the oldest settlers, but as relics 
of the "long ago," a description of them will not be uninteresting : 

A tree of suitable size, say from eighteen inches to two feet in 
diameter, was selected in the forest and felled to the ground. If a cross- 
cut saw happened to be convenient, the tree was "butted" — that is, 
the kerf end was sawed off so that it would stand steady when ready 
for use. If there were no cross-cut saw in the neighborhood, strong 
arms and sharp axes were ready to do the work. Then the proper 
length, from four to five feet, was measured off, and sawed or cut square. 
"When this was done the block was raised on end and the work of cut- 
ting out a hollow in one of the ends was commenced. This was gener- 
ally done with a common chopping axe. Sometimes a smaller one was 
used. When the cavity was judged to be large enough, a fire was built 
in it and carefully watched till the ragged edges were burned away. 
When completed, the hominy-block somewhat resembled a druggist's 
mortar. Then a pestle, or something to crush the corn was necessary. 
This was usually made from a suitably sized piece of timber, with an 
iron wedge attached, the large end down. This completed the machin- 
ery, and the block was ready for use. Sometimes one hominy-block 
accommodated an entire neighborhood, and was the means of staying 
the hunger of man}- mouths. 

In giving the bill of fare above we should have added meat, for of 
this they had plenty. Deer would be seen daily trooping over the 
prairie in droves of from twelve to twenty, and sometimes as many as 
fifty would be seen grazing together. Elk were also found, and wild 
turkeys and prairie chickens without number. Bears were not unknown. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 123 

Music of the. natural order was not wanting, and every night the pio- 
neers were lulled to rest by the screeching of panthers and the howling 
of wolves. When the dogs ventured too far out from the cabins at 
night, they would be driven back by the wolves chasing them up to the 
very cabin doors. Trapping wolves became quite a profitable business 
after the state began to pay a bounty for wolf scalps. 

All the streams of water also abounded in fish, and a good supply of 
these could be procured by the expense of a little time and labor. Those 
who years ago improved the fishing advantages of the country never 
tire telling of the dainty meals which the streams afforded. Sometimes 
large parties would get together, and, having been provided with cook- 
ing utensils and facilities for camping out, would go off some distance 
and spend weeks together. No danger then of being ordered off a man's 
premises or arrested for trespass. One of the peculiar circumstances 
that surrounded the early life of the pioneers was a strange loneliness. 
The solitude seemed almost to oppress them. Months would pass 
during which they would scarcely see a human face outside their own 
families. 

On occasions of special interest, such as election, holiday celebra- 
tions, or camp-meetings, it was nothing unusual for a few settlers who 
lived in the immediate neighborhood of the meeting to entertain scores 
of those who had come from a distance. 

Rough and rude though the surroundings may have been, the pio- 
neers were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable and kind in their 
relations. It is true, as a rule, and of universal application, that there 
is a greater degree of real humanity among the pioneers of any country 
than there is when the country becomes old and rich. If there is an 
absence of refinement, that absence is more than compensated in the 
presence of generous hearts and truthful lives. They are bold, indus- 
trious, and enterprising. Generally speaking, they are earnest thinkers, 
and possessed of a diversified fund of useful, practical information. As 
a rule they do not arrive at a conclusion by means of a course of rational 
reasoning, but, nevertheless, have a queer way of getting at the facts. 
They hate cowards and shams of every kind, and above all things false- 
hoods and deception, and cultivate an integrity which seldom permits 
them to prostitute themselves to a narrow policy of imposture. Such 
were the characteristics of the men and women who pioneered the way 
to the country of the Sac and Fox Indians. Many of them yet remain, 
and although some of them are among the wealthy and most substantial 
of the people of the county, they have not iorgotten their old time hos- 
pitality and free and easy ways. In contrasting the present social affairs 
with pioneer times, one has well said : 

" Then, if a house was to be raised, every man ' turned out,' and 
often the women, too, and while the men piled up the logs that fashioned 



124 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the primitive dwel'ing-place, the women prepared the dinner. Some- 
times it was cooked by big log fires near the site where the cabin was 
building ; in other cases it was prepared at the nearest cabin, and at the 
proper hour was carried to where the men were at work. If one man in 
the neighborhood killed a beef, a pig or a deer, every other family in the 
neighborhood was sure to receive a piece. 

" We were all on an equality. Aristocratic feelings were unknown 
and would not have been tolerated. What one had we all had, and that 
was the happiest period of my life. But to-day, if you lean against a 
neighbor's shade tree he will charge you for it. If you are poor and fall 
sick, you may lie and suffer almost unnoticed and unattended, and prob- 
ably go to the poor-house ; and just as like as not the man who would 
report you to the authorities as a subject of county care would charge 
the county for making the report." 

Of the old settlers, some are still living in the county, in the enjoyment 
of the fortunes they founded in early times, " having reaped an hundred- 
fold." Others have passed away, and many of them will not long sur- 
vive. Several of them have gone to the Far West, and are still playing 
the part of pioneers. But wherever they may be, whatever fate may 
betide them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men, as a 
class, and have left a deep and enduring impression upon the county and 
the state. " They builded better than they knew." They were, of course,, 
men of activity and energy, or they would never have decided to face 
the trials of pioneer life. They were almost invariably poor, but the 
lessons taught them in the early days were of such a character that few 
of them have remained so. They made their mistakes in business pur- 
suits like other men. Scarcely one of them but allowed golden oppor- 
tunities, for pecuniary profit, at least, to pass by unheeded. What are 
now some of the choicest farms in Nodaway County were not taken up 
by the pioneers, who preferred land of very much less value. They have 
seen many of their prophesies fulfilled, and others come to naught. 
Whether they have attained the success they desired, their own hearts- 
can tell. 

To one looking over the situation then, from the standpoint now, it 
certainly does not seem very cheering, and yet, from the testimony of 
some old pioneers, it was a most enjoyable time, and we of the present 
live in degenerate days. 

At that time it certainly would have been much more difficult for 
those old settlers to understand how it could be possible that thirty-five 
years hence the citizens at the present age of the county's progress 
would be complaining of hard times and destitution, and that they them- 
selves, perhaps, would be among that number, than it is now for us to 
appreciate how they could feel so cheerful and contented with their 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 125 

meagre means and humble lot of hardships and deprivations during 
those early, pioneer days. 

The secret was, doubtless, that they lived within their means, how- 
ever limited, not coveting more of luxury and comfort than their income 
would afford, and the natural result was prosperity and contentment, 
with always room for one more stranger at the fireside, and a cordial 
welcome to a place at their table for even the most hungry guest. 

Humanity, with all its ills, is, nevertheless, fortunately characterized 
with remarkable flexibility, which enables it to accommodate itself to 
circumstances. After all, the secret of happiness lies in one's ability to 
accommodate himself to his surroundings. 

It is sometimes remarked that there were no places for public enter- 
tainment till later years. The fact is, there were many such places, in 
fact, every cabin was a place of entertainment, and these hotels were 
sometimes crowded to their utmost capacity. On such occasions, when 
bedtime came, the first family would take the back part of the cabin, and 
so continue filling up by families, until the limit was reached. The 
young men slept in the wagons outside. In the morning, those nearest 
the door arose first, and went outside to dress. Meals were served on 
the end of a wagon, and consisted of cornbread, buttermilk and fat pork, 
and occasionally coffee, to take away the morning chill. On Sundays, 
for a change, they had bread made of wheat "tramped out" on the 
ground by horses, cleaned with a sheet and pounded by hand. This was 
the best, the most fastidious, they could obtain, and this only one day in 
•seven. Not a moment of time was lost. It was necessary that they 
should raise enough sod corn to take them through the coming winter, 
and also get as much breaking done as possible. They brought with 
them enough corn to give the horses an occasional feed, in order to keep 
them able for hard work, but in the main they had to live on prairie 
grass. The cattle got nothing else than grass. 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

An interesting comparison might be drawn between the conveni- 
ences which now make the life of a farmer a comparatively easy one, and 
the almost total lack of such conveniences in early days. A brief descrip- 
tion of the accommodations possessed by the first tillers of this soil will 
now be given. 

Let the ehildren of such illustrious sires draw their own compari- 
sons, and may the results of these comparisons silence the voice of com- 
plaint which so often is heard in the land. 

The only plows they had at first were what they styled " bull plows." 
The mould-boards were generally of wood, but in some cases they were 
.half wood and half iron. The man who had one of the latter description 



126 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

was looked upon as something of an aristocrat. But these old "bull 
plows" did good service, and they must be awarded the honor of first 
stirring the soil of Nodaway County, as well as that of all the first class 
counties of this state. 

The amount of money which some farmers annually invest in agri- 
cultural implements would have kept the pioneer farmer in farming uten- 
sils during a whole lifetime. The pioneer farmer invested little money 
in such things, because he had little money to spare, and then again 
because the expensive machinery now used would not have been at all 
adapted to the requirements of pioneer farming. The "bull plow" was 
probably better adapted to the fields aboundings in stumps and roots 
than would the modern sulky plow have been, and the old-fashioned 
wheat cradle did better execution than would a modern harvester under 
like circumstances. The prairies were seldom settled till after the pio- 
neer period, and that portion of the country which was the hardest to 
put under cultivation, and the most difficult to cultivate after it was 
improved, first was cultivated ; it is well for the country that such was 
the case, for the present generation, familiarized as it is with farming 
machinery of such complicated pattern, would scarcely undertake the 
clearing off of dense forests and cultivating the ground with the kind of 
implements their fathers used, and which they would have to use for 
some kinds of work. 

MILLS AND TRADING POINTS. 

Notwithstanding the fact that some of the early settlers were ener- 
getic millwrights, who employed all their energy, and what means they 
possessed, in erecting mills at a few of the many favorite mill-sites which 
abound in the county, yet going to mill in those days, when there were 
no roads, no bridges, no ferry boats, and scarcely any conveniences for 
traveling, was no small task, where so many rivers and treacherous 
streams were to be crossed, and such a trip was often attended with great 
danger to the traveler when these streams were swollen beyond their 
banks. But even under these circumstances, some of the more adven- 
turous and ingenious ones, in case of emergency, found the ways and 
means by which to cross the swollen streams, and succeed in making 
the trip. At other times, again, all attempts failed them, and they were 
compelled to remain at home until the waters subsided, and depend on 
the generosity of their fortunate neighbors. 

Some stories are related with regard to the danger, perils and hard- 
ships of forced travels to mills, and for provisions, which remind one of 
forced marches in military campaigns, and when we hear of the heroic 
and daring conduct of the hardy pioneers in procuring bread for his 
loved ones, we think that here were heroes more valiant than any of the 
renowned soldiers of ancient or modern times. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 12J 

During the first two years, and perhaps not until some time after- 
ward, there was not a public highway established and worked on which 
they could travel ; and as the settlers were generally far apart, and mills 
and trading points were at great distances, going from place to place 
was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great danger. 
Not a railroad had yet entered the state, and there was scarcely a thought 
in the minds of the people here of such a thing ever reaching the wild 
west ; and, if thought of, people had no conception of what a revolution 
a railroad and telegraph line through the county, would cause in its pro- 
gress. Then there was less than 5,000 miles of railroad in the United 
States, and not a mile of track laid this side of the Ohio, while now 
there are over 100,000 miles of railroad, extending their trunks and 
branches in every direction over our land. 

Supplies in those days were obtained at White Hall, Andrew County. 
Mail was carried by river and wagon transportation, and telegraph dis- 
patches were transmitted by the memory and lips of emigrants coming 
in, or strangers passing through. 

William A. Cox came from Ohio in 1840, and built the first mill in 
Nodaway County, on the One Hundred and Two River, eight miles 
south of Maryville. The place was afterward called Bridgewater. It 
was a grist and saw mill combined, and the burrs were set on the saw- 
frame. At first the mill only ground corn which had to be sifted after 
it was ground, as there were no bolts in the mill. There was only one 
run of burrs which, as well as the mill irons, were brought from St. 
Louis. They were shipped up the Missouri River. There was a brush 
dam thrown across the One Hundred and Two, and rock piled in upon 
the brush which were covered with dirt. The mill cost about $1,500. 
This is the best mill site in Nodaway County, the river having a rock 
bed and rock banks. The mill had no gearing, the burrs being located 
over the wheel, and running with the same velocity as the wheel. It 
was a frame mill, one story high, and had a capacity of 150 bushes a day. 
People came from far and near, attracted by the reports of the comple- 
tion of the mill, with their grists, so that, for days before it was ready 
for work, the creek bottom was dotted over with hungry and patient 
men, waiting until it was ready to do their work, so that they might 
return with their meal and flour to supply their families and those of 
their neighbors, thus enduring the hardships of camp life in those early 
days, in order that they might be able to secure the simple necessaries 
of life, devoid of all luxuries. 

HUNTING AND TRAPPING. 

The sports and means of recreation were not so numerous and 
varied among the early settlers as at present, but they were more enjoy- 
able and invigorating than now. 



128 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Hunters now-a-days would be only too glad to be able to find and 
enjoy their favorable opportunity for hunting and fishing, and even 
travel many miles, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few weeks on the 
water courses and wild prairies, in hunt and chase and fishing frolics, 
where not half so good hunting and fishing sport are furnished as was in 
this vicinity twenty-five and forty years ago. There were a good many 
excellent hunters here at an early day, who enjoyed the sport as well as 
any can at the present time. 

Wild animals of almost every species known in the wilds of the 
west were found in great abundance. The prairies, and woods, and 
streams, and various bodies of water, were all thickly inhabited before 
the white man came and for some time afterward. Although the Indians 
slew many of them, yet the natural law prevailed here as well as else- 
where — "wild man and wild beast thrive together." 

Serpents were to be found in such large numbers, and of such 
immense size that some stories told by the early settlers would be 
incredible were it not tor the large array of concurrent testimony which 
is to be had from the most authentic sources. Deer, turkeys, ducks, 
geese, squirrels, and various other, kinds of choice game were plentiful 
and to be had at the expense of killing only. The fur animals were 
abundant ; such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, panther, 
fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear. 

An old resident of the county told us, that in 1841, while he was 
traveling a distance of six miles, he saw as many as seventy-three deer, 
in herds of from six to ten. 

HUNTING BEE TREES. 

Another source of profitable recreation among the old settlers was 
that of hunting bees. The forests along the water courses were espec- 
ially prolific of bee trees. They were found in great numbers on the 
Platte, Nodaway, One Hundred and Two Rivers, and Honey Creek. 
Many of the early settlers, during the late summer, would go into camp 
for days at a time, for the purpose of hunting and securing the honey of 
the wild bees, which was not only extremely rich, and found in great 
abundance, but always commanded a good price in the home market. 

The Indians have ever regarded the honey-bee as the forerunner of 
the white man, while it is a conceded fact that the quail always follows 
the footprints of civilization. 

The following passage is found in the " Report of the Exploring 
Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, in the year 1842, by Captain John 
C. Fremont," page 69 : 

" Here on the summit, where the stillness was absolute ; unbroken 
by any sound, and the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 29 

the regions of animated life ; but while we were sitting on the rocks, a 
solitary bee came winging his flight from the eastern valley, and lit on 
the knee of one of the men. We pleased ourselves with the idea that 
he was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier, a solitary 
pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization." 

Gregg, in his "Commerce of the Prairies," page 178, Vol. 1, says: 
" The honey-bee appears to have emigrated exclusively from the east, 
as its march has been observed westward. The bee, among western 
pioneers, is the proverbial precursor of the Anglo-American population. 
In fact, the aborigines of the frontier have generally corroborated this 
statement, for they used to say that they knew the white man was not 
far behind when the bees appeared among them." 

There were other recreations, such as shooting matches and quilting 
parties, which obtained in those days, and which were enjoyed to the 
fullest extent. The quilting parties were especially pleasant and agree- 
able to those who attended. The established rule in those days at these 
parties was, to pay either one dollar in money or split one hundred rails 
during the course of the day. The men would generally split the rails 
and the women would remain in the house and do the quilting. After 
the day's work was done the night would be passed in dancing. 

"All the swains that there abide, 
With jigs and rural dance resort " 

When daylight came the music and the dancing would cease, and the 
gallant young men would escort the ladies to their respective homes. 

WOLVES. 

One of the oldest pioneers tells us, that for several years, after he 
came to what is now known as Nodaway County, that wolves were very 
numerous, and that he paid his taxes, for many years, in wolf scalps. 
His cabin was in the edge of the timber, that skirted White Cloud Creek, 
in the western portion of the county, and, at night, the howls of these 
animals were so loud and incessant, that to sleep, at times, was almost 
impossible. 

Often at midnight, all 

" At once there rose so wild a yell, 
Within that dark and narrow dell, 
As all the fiends from heaven that fell, 
Had pealed the banner cry of hell." 

At such times the whole air seemed to be filled with the vibrations 
of their most infernal and diabolical music. The wolf was not only a 
midnight prowler here, but was seen in the daytime, singly or in packs, 
warily skulking upon the outskirts of a thicket, or sallying cautiously 
along the open path, with a sneaking look of mingled cowardice and cruelty. 



CHAPTER VII. 

NODAWAY COUNTY ORGANIZED. 

LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS— FIRST COUNTY COURT — PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST 
COURT— FIRST RECORDS— DEEDS AND MORTGAGES— FIRST CIRCUIT COURT-FIRST 
CASES— EARLY MARRIAGES— NUMBER OF MARRIAGES FOR 1845-NUMBK.R OF MAR. 
RIAGES FOR 1880. 

The six counties composing the Platte Purchase were organized 
respectively as to date, as follows : Platte, December 31, 1838; Buchanan, 
February IO, 1839; Andrew, January 29, 1841 ; Holt, February 15, 1841 ; 
Atchison and Nodaway, on the 14th of February, 1845. 

The organization of Nodaway County was effected by an act of the 
General Assembly of Missouri, which we here give : 

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as 

follozvs : 

SECTION i. All that portion of territory bounded as follows, viz.: 
Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Nodaway River, 
opposite the line dividing townships 61 and 62 ; thence up the middle of 
the main channel thereof to the mouth of the brook, in what is now 
known by the name of Roland Grove ; thence due west to the dividing 
ridge, dividing the waters of the Big Tarkio and Nodaway Rivers ; 
thence north upon the top of said dividing ridge to the state line ; 
thence with the state boundary line to the old western boundary of the 
state ; thence with the same to the township line, dividing townships 61 
and 62 ; thence west with said township line to the place of beginning, 
is hereby organized into a separate and distinct county, to be called and 
known by the name of Nodaway. 

Sec. 2. Amos Graham and William M. Sitton, of the County of 
Andrew, and Daniel Hunsucker, of the County of Holt, are hereby 
appointed commissioners, to select the permanent seat of justice of said 
county; said commissioners shall meet at the house of I. N. Prather, on 
the first Monday of June next. 

Sec. 3. The county courts of said county shall be held on the first 
Mondays of February, May, August and November, and the first meet- 
ing of said court shall be at the house of I. N. Prather, and shall continue 
to be there held, until the permanent seat of justice is established, unless 
otherwise ordered by the court." 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 131 

The above act, under which the county was organized, was intro- 
duced as a bill in the General Assembly of Missouri by a member of the 
Lower House from Andrew County, Missouri. 

An act defining the boundary and naming the County of Nodaway, 
was passed by the General Assembly as early as January 29, 1841, the 
territory of which at that time embraced the present County of Holt. 

On the 15th of February, 1841, the same General Assembly passed 
a supplemental act, amendatory to the act above referred to, changing 
the name of Nodaway County, which had just been created, to Holt. 
That enactment is as follows ; 

" That portion of territory included within the following described 
limits, to wit : Beginning in the main channel of the Missouri River, at 
a point where the range line dividing range thirty-six and thirty-seven 
would intersect the same ; thence north, with said range line, to the 
middle of the main channel of the Nodaway River ; thence up the middle 
of the main channel of said river, to the northern boundary of the state ; 
thence west with said boundary line, to the middle of the main channel 
of the Missouri River ; thence down said river, in the middle of the main 
channel thereof, to the place of beginning, shall be called and known by 
the name of Holt, in honor of David R. Holt, Esq., late representative 
from Platte County, any law to the contrary notwithstanding." 

The David R. Holt, after whom the County of Holt was named, was 
one of the most prominent men at the time in Western Missouri. The 
General Assembly of the state appropriated the sum of two hundred and 
fifty dollars to the erection of a tomb over his grave, and for a suitable 
inscription. At the request of Mrs. Holt, a place was reserved by the 
side of his remains for her interment after her decease. 

april special term, 1845. 

State of Missouri, | 
County of Nodaway, f ' ' 

Be it remembered, that the County Court of Nodaway County, in 
the State of Missouri, met at the house of I. N. Prather, in obedience to 
an act of the Legislature, on the first Monday in April, in the year of 
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, and seventh day of 
said month. Present : Hon. Thomas A. Brown, James M. Fulkerson and 
John Lowe, justices of said court — when and where the following pro- 
ceedings were had and done, to wit: 

Ordered, That John Lowe be and he is hereby appointed president 
of this court. 

Ordered, That Amos Graham be and he is hereby appointed clerk 
of this court, until the next general election, and until his successor is 
duly elected and qualified. Whereupon he took the oath of office, and 



132 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

gave bond to the State of Missouri, in the sum of five thousand dollars, 
which is approved by the court. 

Ordered, That Green McCafferty be and he is hereby appointed 
county surveyor of Nodaway County, Missouri, until the next general 
election, and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. And 
thereupon he gave bond to the State of Missouri, in the sum of fifteen 
hundred dollars, with John E. George and James W. Parman as his secu- 
rity, which is approved by the court. 

Bartlett Curl comes into court and gives bond as sheriff and collec- 
tor of Nodaway County, Missouri. 

Atchison Township was then bounded and defined, and Lebbins 
Manley presented his bond as constable of the same. 

This constituted the business of the first day of the court. 

I. N. Prather, at whose house the three justices met and organized 
the county court, died in 1859. Colonel Prather was born in Mercer 
County, Kentucky, and emigrated to what is now known as Nodaway 
County in 1841, and located in the White Cloud settlement, on the 
stream known by that name. His widow still survives him, at the 
advanced age of seventy-four years. 

Judge Thomas A. Brown, now lives in Buchanan County, and is one 
of the judges of that county. Judge Fulkerson went to Oregon in 1852, 
where he now resides. Judge Lowe moved to Taylor County, Iowa, and 
still lives. 

Court met again April 8, 1845, and proceeded to lay off Buchanan, 
Hughes, White Cloud and Washington Townships, and then appointed 
the following alloting justices for the same : 

John Lowe for Buchanan, Jonathan Shepard for Atchison, William 
A. Stephens for Hughes, William H. Moore for White Cloud, and 
Thomas Blakely for Washington Township. 

Daniel McCarty was appointed assessor of the county, and the 
clerk was instructed to procure such books, stationery, etc., " as he may 
deem expedient, on as good terms to the county as he can." This was 
all the business transacted on the second day. The court then 
adjourned to meet at White Cloud school house on the first Monday in 
May following. 

The court having met pursuant to adjournment, on May 5, 1845, at 
White Cloud school house (all the justices being present) the following 
proceedings were had : 

The allotting justice of Washington Township made his report, 
embracing road divisions, numbers one, two and three, and reporting the 
laying out of the road on the east side of the Platte River, commencing 
at the county line and running to White Oak Grove. 

Also, the road from the White Oak Grove, on Platte River, to the 
township line, west, near Cock's mill. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 33 

Also, the road between Platte River and the One Hundred and Two, 
beginning at the county line south, and running to the county line north. 

It was ordered by the court, that the allotting justice of Atchison 
Township begin anew to lay off the road districts of his township. 

James Curl presented a petition, signed by a majority of the inhab- 
itants of township 63, in range 37, praying for the sale of the sixteenth 
section of said township and range. 

John Graves was appointed overseer of road district No. 1, Wash- 
ington Township, William Campbell overseer of road district No. 2, 
and Gideon L. Brown overseer of road district No. 3. 

The boundary of Atchison Township was so changed as to include 
the road on the main divide, between Nodaway and the One Hundred 
and Two Rivers. 

Jonathan Shepard, allotting justice of Atchison Township, reported 
that he had made four road districts. District No. I, commencing at the 
Buchanan Township line and ending at Levi Martin's ; No. 2, commenc- 
ing at Levi Martin's and ending at the south boundary of the same 
township ; No. 3, commencing at the county line of Nodaway County in 
Atchison Township, and ending at Hallsa's ferry ; No. 4, commencing 
on the divide between One Hundred and Two and Nodaway Rivers. 

Martin Noffsinger was appointed overseer of road district No. r, 
Atchison Township ; Levi Martin overseer of district No. 2 ; Abijah 
Hampton overseer of district No. 3, and Alfred Gray overseer of district 
No. 4. 

John Lowe, allotting justice for Buchanan Township, reported that 
he had made three road districts. 

Francis Miller was appointed road overseer of road district No. I, 
Buchanan Township ; William Hardy, overseer of district No. 2 ; and 
George W. Farrews, overseer of district No. 3. 

Polk Township was established. 

Green McCafferty tendered his resignation as justice of the peace of 
Polk Township. 

William Cyrus was appointed justice of the peace in Cafferty's place. 

William Cyrus was appointed allotting justice of Polk Township. 

The boundary lines of Buchanan Township were changed, by com- 
mencing at the northeast corner of said township, and running east to 
the north fork of the east fork of the One Hundred and Two ; thence 
down the same till it intersected the north line of Polk Township ; thence 
westwardly to the northeast corner of Atchison Township. 

Dallas Township was named and boundaries defined. 

The bond of Hiram Young, constable of White Cloud Township, was 
approved. 

W. H. Moore, the allotting justice of White Cloud Township, made 
his report, showing the roads as districted by him in said township. 



T34 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Hiram Hall was appointed overseer of road district No. I, White 
Cloud Township ; Wright Bagley, overseer of district No. 2 ; Thomas 
Groves, overseer of district No. 3 ; and Hiram Groves, overseer of dis- 
trict Mo. 4. 

William Cock asked for a road from Cock's Mill to William Mc- 
Knight's Ford, on the White Cloud. Henry Swearingen, Nathaniel 
Barnes and Benjamin Williams were appointed viewers of the said road. 

Joseph Alexander was appointed justice of the peace of Dallas 
Township, also allotting justice for that township. 

Stephen Jones was appointed a commissioner to locate the seat of 
justice. 

Court then adjourned to the first Monday in June, 1845. 

FIRST RECORDS. 

The original real estate records are still in existence. The book 
which contains them, is a volume of five hundred and forty pages, yel- 
lowed and soiled by time. In it are found promiscuously scattered 
mortgages, deeds, bills of sale, chattel mortgages, powers of attorney, 
deeds of trust, etc. Bills of sale, deeds and mortgages were in early 
times, usually drawn by justices of the peace, who, while they were men 
of good judgment, and of unimpeachable integrity, were frequently 
unlearned and unlettered, as nearly all the records testify, yet the early 
records of Nodaway Count)' are generally an exception to this rule. 

FIRST DEED RECORDED. 

This indenture, made and entered into, this 14th day of May, 1845, 
by and between Martin Noland and Sarah Noland, his wife, of the 
County of Nodaway, and the State of Missouri, and Felix Blakely and 
Ann Blakely, his wife, of the County of Gentry, of the first part, and 
Coleman Young, of the County of Clay, all of said State of Missouri, of 
the second part, witnesseth : That the said party of the first part, for and 
in consideration of the sum of seven hundred dollars, to them in hand 
paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, 
bargained and sold, and by these presents, doth give, grant, bargain, sell, 
alien, convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part, and to 
his heirs and assigns forever, all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, 
lying and being in the County of Nodaway, and State of Missouri, viz : 
The southwest quarter of section three, of township sixty-two, range 
thirty-four; also, the northeast quarter of section nine, township sixty- 
two, of range thirty-four, containing in all, three hundred and twenty 
acres, be the same more or less, according to the original survey. To 
have and to hold the said tract, piece or parcel of land, with all the 
appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining, to the 
only proper use, benefit and behoof of him, the said party of the second 
part, and to his heirs and assigns forever. And the said party of the first 
part, for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, covenant 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 35 

and agree to and with said party of the second part, and to his heirs and 
assigns, the said tract, piece or parcel of land, and bargained premises, 
and every part and parcel thereof, unto him the said party of the second 
part, and to his heirs and assigns against all manner of claims, they will 
warrant and forever defend the same, by these presents. 

In witness whereof, the said Martin Noland and Sarah Noland, his 
wife, and Felix Blakely and Ann Blakely, his wife, of the first part, have 
hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year above written. 

MARTIN NOLAND, [seal. 

her 
SARAH X NOLAND, [seal.] 
mark, 
his 
FELIX X BLAKELY, [seal.] 
mark, 
her 
ANN X BLAKELY. [seal.] 
mark. 

The above instrument was acknowledged before Thomas A. Brown, 
justice of the peace. 

The second instrument on record is a 



DEED. 



This indenture made and entered into this 15th day of May, in the 
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, by and 
between Nathaniel H. Barnes, and Nancy W., his wife, of the County of 
Nodaway, and State of Missouri, of the first part, and William Cook, of 
the County of Fayette, and State of Pennsylvania, of the second part, 
witnesseth : That the said party of the first part, for and in considera- 
tion of the sum of two hundred dollars, to them in hand paid, the 
receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained 
and sold, and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, 
convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, and to his 
heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract, piece or parcel of land, lying 
and being in the County of Nodaway, and State of Missouri, viz.: 

The west half of the southeast quarter of section number thirty 
(30), in township number sixty-three (63), of range number thirty-five 
(35), containing eighty acres more or less. To have and to hold the 
said tract, piece or parcel of land, with all the appurtenances thereunto 
belonging, or in anywise appertaining, to the only proper use, benefit 
and behoof of him, the said party of the first part, and to his heirs and 
assigns forever. And the said party of the first part, for themselves, 
their heirs, executors and administrators, covenant and agree to and 
with the said party of the second part, and his heirs and assigns, the 
said tract, piece or parcel of land, and bargained premises, and every 
part and parcel thereof, unto him the said party of the second part, and 
to his heirs and assigns, against all manner of claims, they will warrant 
and forever defend the same, by these presents. 



I36 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In witness whereof, the said Nathaniel H. Barnes, and Nancy W. 
Barnes, his wife, parties of the first part, have hereunto set their hands- 
and seals, the day and year above written. 

NATHANIEL H. BARNES, [seal.] 

her 
NANCY W. X BARNES. [seal.] 

mark. 

The above deed was acknowledged before W. H. Moore, justice of 
the peace. 

DEED OF TRUST. 



Know all men by these presents : 

That I, Archibald Prather, of the County of Nodaway, and State of 
Missouri, have this day, for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar, 
to me in hand paid by Thomas Adams, of the county and state afore- 
said, the receipt of which is hereby acknwledged, bargained and sold, 
transferred and set over, and by these presents do bargain and sell, 
transfer and set over, to the said Thomas Adams, all my pre-emption, 
right and title, by virtue of an act of the Legislature of Missouri, approved 
the 13th of March, 1845, to the use of Finley Ong, in and to the west 
half of the southeast quarter of section No. seventeen, of township No. 
sixty-four, in range No. thirty-five, containing eighty acres. But these 
presents and everything herein contained, are upon the express condi- 
tions and understandings, to wit: That whereas, on the 23d day of June, 
A. D. 1845, George D. Atkinson executed his note of promise to the 
aforesaid Finley Ong, with said Archibald Prather as security, payable 
four months after date, and bearing ten per cent, interest. Now if said 
promissory note shall be well and truly paid, and satisfied according to 
the meaning and intent thereof, by the 1st day of March, 1846, then and 
in that case, these presents to be void, also said promissory note. But 
if not paid as aforesaid, I constitute and appoint the said Thomas Adams 
trustee in deed and in fact, to offer at public auction, the pre-emption 
right aforesaid to the highest bidder, first giving twenty days' notice of 
the time and place of sale, by five written notices put up at public places, 
in Nodaway County, and in any other way that said trustee may deem 
necessary, first paying expenses of notices and sale, and then paying said 
promissory note to Finley Ong, or so much thereof as may be produced 
by said sale of pre-emption right ; and lastly, to refund to said Prather 
the remainder of the proceeds of said sale, if any. And further, I author- 
ize the said Thomas Adams, trustee, as aforesaid, in case of sale being 
made of the pre-emption right aforesaid, according to the provisions 
herein set forth, for me and in my name, as trustee as aforesaid, to make 
the purchaser a good and sufficient transfer thereto, as amply and fully 
as I myself might do. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th 
day of December, A. D. 1845. 

ARCHIBALD PRATER, [seal.] 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 137 

The first quit claim deed on record : 
Know all men by these presents : 

That we, Humphrey Finch, of the County of Platte, and State of 
Missouri, and Frances, the wife of Humphrey Finch, in consideration of 
the sum of five dollars, to us in hand paid, by Joseph Cox, the receipt 
whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold and quit-claimed, 
and by these presents do bargain, sell and quit claim, unto the said 
Joseph Cox, and to his heirs and assigns forever, all our, and each of our 
right, title, interest, claim and demand both at law and equity, as well 
in possession as in expectancy, of, in and to, all that certain farm or 
piece of land, situate and being in the County of Nodaway and State of 
Missouri, and described as follows : The northeast quarter of section 
nineteen, in township sixty-two, north, in range thirty-six, west of the 
fifth principal meridian, containing one hundred and sixty acres, more 
or less. With all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances 
thereunto belonging. 

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, 
this 6th day of May, 1846. 

HUMPHREY FINCH, [seal.] 

her 
FRANCES X FINCH, [seal.] 
mark. 

During the year 1845, there were recorded seven instruments all 
told. In 1880, there were recorded over four thousand. 

The first entry made in the original record book of the circuit court, 
is as follows : 

SEPTEMBER TERM, A. D. 1 846. 

Now, on this 14th day of September, 1846, the day appointed by 
law for the holding of the regular term of the Circuit Court of Nodaway 
County, the judge of the court being unable to attend from sickness, and 
having notified the sheriff of this county of that fact, and having ordered 
the sheriff to proclaim at the court house door, publicly and aloud, that 
this court shall stand adjourned until Monday, the 26th day of October, 
1846, and the sheriff having made proclamation according to said order, 
and according to law, now therefore, this court stands adjourned until 
Monday, the 26th day of October, 1846. 

S. L. LEONARD, Judge. 

second entry— september adjourned term, 1 846. 

State of Missouri, } 
County of Nodaway, j ss ' 

Be it remembered, that on this 26th day of October, in the year of 
our Lord, eighteen hundred and forty-six, the Circuit Court of Nodaway 
County, met pursuant to adjournment. Present, Hon. S. L. Leonard, 



138 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

judge, I. N. Jones, circuit attorney, B. Curl, sheriff, and Amos Graham, 
clerk, when and where the following proceedings were had and done, to 
wit : 

The sheriff of Nodaway County returns into court the state's venire 
for a grand jury, with the following as said grand jury, to wit : 

Sylvester Lanham, William Davis, Francis Conlon, Benjamin Sims, 
A. G. Lowe, William Campbell, John V. Fletcher, Thomas Pistole, Jesse 
James, Timothy Nash, Isaac N. Prather, John McClain, Harvey Kincaid, 
Vardaman Fletcher, James Ingles, Jonathan Lavering, who, being duly 
sworn, and having received their charge, retired to consider of their 
presentments. 

The first case upon the docket was : State of Missouri vs. Archibald 
Prater, for cutting timber on state lands. 

An order for an attachment was issued against James Kuykendall, 
former sheriff of Platte County, for failing to return the capias in the 
above named case. 

The next cases were, the 

State of Missouri vs. Archibald Prather, for the same offense. 

State of Missouri vs. Abraham Fletcher, for selling and giving an 
Indian liquor. 

State vs. William Smith ; same against John Brown ; same vs. Dyer 
Cash, all of which were continued generally. 

The first cause tried was the following: 

State of Missouri, ) 

vs. )- 

Cornelius Brackney. ) 

Henry Swearingen, Senior, Andrew Shepherd, Guilford Richards, 
Thomas Harris, J. M. Cotrell, William Nash, Jacob Ross, Bennet Robert- 
son, William Young, H. Langley, Daniel Swearingen, Jr., and John Daw- 
son, composed the jury. The following is the verdict which was returned 
by the jury : 

"We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as charged in the within 
indictment, and assess his punishment to a fine of two hundred and fifty 
dollars. H. SWEARINGEN, Foreman." 

Then follow the cases of Cornelius Holeman vs. John Wiggs ; appeal. 
State of Missouri vs. Haden Jackson ; recognizance. State vs. Hiram 
Groves ; for contempt in failing to appear as grand juror. 

In the last mentioned case, the court was of the opinion, after hear- 
ing the evidence, "that said defendant be fined one dollar and costs in 
this behalf expended." 

First suit for divorce was David Stout vs. Rebecca Stout. The fol- 
lowing is the decree of the court in reference thereto: 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. .139 

" Now, at this day came the said complainant by his solicitor, and 
it appearing to the satisfaction of the court here, that the order of publi- 
cation made herein, has been published as the law requires, and that said 
defendant has failed to appear, answer, demur or plead to the allegations 
and charges in the complainant's bill of complaint. It is therefore 
ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the said complainant's bill be taken 
as confessed ; and it is further ordered, that unless the said defendant 
appear before this court, at the next October term thereof, at the court 
house in Maryville, and before the end of said term, and show good cause 
for not before appearing, this decree will be made absolute, and this 
cause continued till the next term of this court." 

MARRIAGES. 

Cupid, the god of Love, whose universal sway over the hearts and 
affections of mankind, has been commensurate with the history of our race, 
early manifested his presence among the pioneers of Nodaway County, 
as will be seen from the following verbatim copies of a few of the earlier 
marriages : 

This is to certify that I, Wm. Davis, an acting justice of the peace 
of White Cloud Township, Nodaway County, and State of Missouri, on 
3d of April, A. D. 1845, lawfully married Archibald Prather to Rebecca 
Atkinson. 

Given under my hand, this the 27th of June, A. D. 1845. 

WILLIAM DAVIS, Justice of the Peace. 
Filed for record 30th Oct., A. D. 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM. Recorder. 

This is to certify that I did unite Robert J. Gray and Jemima Irwin in 
the bonds of matrimony, on 22d of May, 1845. Given under my hand. 

HENRY EPPLER, C. P. M. 
Filed for record 30th October, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

This is to certify that I married on the 26th of June, 1845, Dunkin 
McA. Vinsonhaler to Elizabeth Criberly. both of Nodaway County, Mo. 

WM. A. STEPHENS, Justice of the Peace. 
Filed for record 30th Oct., 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

State of Missouri, | 
County of Nodaway, j 

I do certify that on the fifteenth day of June, 1845, I solemnized a 
marriage between George Washington Hardee and Kesiah Thomison in 
Nodaway County. Given under my hand this 16th day of June, 1845. 

JONATHAN LAYERING, J. P. 
Filed for record 30th October, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 



14O HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Married in Nodaway County, Missouri, on the 17th day of Nov., 
1845, Mr. Jesse Blakeley to Miss Jane Blakeley, by 

GEORGE P. KERNS, J. P. 
Filed for record 13th Feb., A. D. 1846. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

This is to certify that I married on the 13th day of August, 1845, 
James W. Black and Sarah Williams, of Nodaway County, Missouri. 

WM. A. STEPHENS, Justice of the Peace. 
Filed for record 8th April, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 
State of Missouri, ) 
County of Nodaway, j 

This is to certify that the undersigned justice of the peace, within 
and for Nodaway, did on the 12th June, 1845, solemnize a marriage 
between David Barbour and Sarah Martin, in Nodaway County. Given 
under my hand this 14th of June, A. D. 1845. 

JONATHAN SHEPARD, Justice of the Peace. 
Filed for record 30th Oct., 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 
State of Missouri, 



County of Nodaway 

This is to certify that I, John Lowe, an acting justice of the peace, 
within and for said county, on the 16th day of March, 1845, did solemn- 
ize the rites of matrimony between Henry Miller and Elizabeth Lowe, 
in said county. 

JOHN LOWE, Justice of the Peace. 
Filed for record 15th Dec, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

State of Missouri, 



County of Nodaway 

I do hereby certify that on the 27th day of March, 1845, I solemn- 
ized the rites of matrimony between James K. Allen, of Andrew, and 
Drusilla Lanham, of Nodaway County, both of this State, agreeably to 
the usages of the church to which I belong. Given under my hand this 
the 20th day of April, 1845. 

MOSES ALLEN, Minister of the Gospel. 
Filed for record 30th Oct., 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

May the 22d, 1845: This is to certify that I married Hiram J. Cub- 
erly to Jane M. Vinsonhaler, both of Nodaway County, Missouri. 

WM. A. STEPHENS, J. P. 
Filed for record 30th October, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

This is to certify that Stephen Graves and Sarah Harper, of Noda- 
way County, were joined in marriage on the 24th day of April, 1845, by 
me. THOMAS BLAKELY, J. P. 

Filed for record 30th October, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 



history of nodaway county. 141 

State of Missouri, 



County of Nodaway, f 

I, James Vaughn, an acting justice of the peace, within and for 
said county, do certify that I solemnized a marriage between Jesse H. 
Stoner and Miss Emily Trasper, in Nodaway County, on the 25th day of 

Tanuary, A. D. 1845. 

J y JAMES VAUGHN, J. P. 

Filed for record 26th of January, A. D. 1846. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

Married on the 9th day of November, 1845, Geo. Bowman, of the 
State of Missouri, Nodaway County, in the township of Polk. Given 
under mv hand this 12th day of January, 1846. 

ISAAC HARRIS, Justice of the Peace. 

Filed 1 2th January, A. D. 1846. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

This is to certify, that I, Caleb Kauble, an acting justice of the 
peace of Dallas Township, did on the 27th of November, 1845, 
solemnize the bands of matrimony betwixt William Wilson and Miss 
Sarah Jane Guill, this 13th December, 1845. 

CALEB KAUBLE, Justice of the Peace. 

Filed for record 13th December, 1845. 

AMOS GRAHAM, Recorder. 

The marriages above recorded occurred thirty-six years ago. The 
parties, if still living, would be nearly three-score years of age. In those 
primitive days, among the early settlers, marriages were doubtless the 
result of love. There was not only a union of hands, but a union of 
hearts. The pioneer maiden made the faithful wife, and the sturdy 
backwoodsman the fond and trusted husband. 

"From that day forth, in pe.ice and joyous bliss, 
They lived together long without debate ; 
Nor private jars, nor spite of enemies, 
Could shake the safe assurance of their state." 

During the year 1845, there were recorded eighteen marriages, and 
in 1880, there were 292. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM— GOVERNMENT SURVEYS-ORGANIZATION OF TOWN'. 

SHIPS. 



Before proceeding any further, we deem it proper to give some 
explanations of the county and township system and government sur- 
veys, as so much depends in business and civil transactions upon county 
limits and county organizations. 

COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM. 

With regard to the origin of dividing individual states into county 
and township organizations, which, in an important measure, should have 
the power and opportunity of transacting their own business and gov- 
erning themselves, under the approval of, and subject to, the state and 
general government, of which they both form a part, we quote from 
Elijah M. Haines, who is considered good authority on the subject. 

In his " Laws of Illinois, relative to Township Organizations," he 
says : " The county system originating with Virginia, whose early set- 
tlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living 
apart in almost baronial magnificence, on their own estates, and owning 
the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were 
not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area. 

" The county organization, where a few influential men managed 
the whole business of a community, retaining their places almost at 
their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted 
to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, 
was moreover consonant with their recollections or traditions of the 
judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in 
descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834, 
eight counties were organized in Virginia, and the system extending 
throughout the state, spread into all the Southern States, and some of 
the Northern States ; unless we except the nearly similar division into 
'districts' in South Carolina, and that into ' parishes' in Louisiana, from 
the French laws. 

" Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county 
of Virginia, on its conquest by General George Rogers Clark, retained 
the county organization, which was formerly extended over the state by 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I43 

the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the consti- 
tution of 1848. 

" Under this system, as in other states adopting it, most local busi- 
ness was transacted by those commissioners in each county who consti- 
tuted a county court, with quarterly sessions. 

" During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large 
portion of the state had become filled up with a population of New Eng- 
land birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dis- 
satisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. 
It was maintained by the people that the heavy populated districts 
would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvan- 
tage of the more thinly populated sections — in short, that under that 
system ' equal and exact justice ' to all parts of the county could not be 
secured. 

" The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates 
back to 1635. 

" The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that, 
whereas, ' particular townships have many things which concern only 
themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of 
business in their own town,' therefore, ' the freemen of every township, 
or a majority part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their 
own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant 
lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well-ordering of their 
own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the 
general court.' 

"They might, also, (says Mr. Haines) impose fines of not more than 
twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables, 
surveyors for the highways and the like.' 

" Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of 
municipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in con- 
trolling general measures of public policy. 

" Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt 
for the control of their own home concerns. 

" The New England colonies were first governed by a general court 
or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court 
consisted of the most influential inhabitants and possessed and exer- 
cised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by 
the wisdom of the holders. 

" They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and 
decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal reg- 
ulations, and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony." 

Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the 
first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, an d the plan of town- 
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efifi- 



144 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

ciency and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent 
people, became universal throughout New England, and went westward 
with the immigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and other 
Western States. 

Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town 
organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there 
was need of adopting it in Missouri or any of the broad region west of 
the Mississippi River. But as the new country began to be opened, and 
as eastern people began to move westward across the mighty river, and 
form thick settlements along its western bank, the territory, and state, 
and county and township organizations soon followed in quick succes- 
sion, and those different systems became more or less improved, accord- 
ing as deemed necessary by the experience, and judgment and demands 
of the people, until they have arrived at the present stage and advance- 
ment and efficiency. In the settlement of the Territory of Missouri, the 
Legislature began by organizing counties on the Mississippi River. As 
each new county was formed it was made to include under legal jurisdic- 
tion all the country bordering west of it, and required to grant to the 
actual settlers electoral privileges and an equal share of the county gov- 
ernment with those who properly lived in the geographical limits of the 
county. 

The counties first organized along the eastern borders of the state 
were given for a short time jurisdiction over the lands and settlements 
adjoining each on the west, until these localities became sufficiently set- 
tled to support organizations of their own. 

GOVERNMENT SURVEYS. 

No person can intelligently understand the history of a country 
without at the same time knowing its geography, and in order that a 
clear and correct idea of the geography of Nodaway County may be 
obtained from the language already used in defining different localities 
and pieces of land, we insert herewith the plan of Government surveys as 
given in Mr. E. A. Hickman's Property Map of Jackson Countv, Missouri : 
•Previous to the formation of our present Government, the eastern 
portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the 
territory of which was granted in large tracts to British noblemen. By 
treaty of 1783, these grants were acknowledged as valid by the colonies. 
After the Revolutionary war, when these colonies were acknowledged 
"Independent States," all public domain within their boundaries was 
acknowledged to be the property of the colony within the bounds of 
which said domain was situated. 

Virginia claimed all the northwest territory, including what is now 
known as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. 
After a meeting of the representatives of the various states to form a 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 145 

Union, Virginia ceded the northwest territory to the United States Gov- 
•ernment. This took place in 1784; then all this northwest territory 
became Government land. It comprised all south of the lakes and east 
•of the Mississippi River and north and west of the states having definite 
boundary lines. This territory had been known as New France, and 
had been ceded by France to England in 1768. In the year 1803, Napo- 
leon Bonaparte sold to the United States all territory west of the Mis- 
sissippi River and north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky Mountains. 

While the public domain was the property of the colonies, it was 
•disposed of as follows ; Each individual caused the tract he desired to 
purchase to be surveyed and platted. A copy of the survey was then 
filed with the register of lands, when, by paying into the state or colonial 
treasury an agreed price, the purchaser received a patent for the land. 
This method of disposing of public lands made lawsuits numerous, owing 
to different surveys often including the same ground. To avoid these 
■difficulties, and effect a general measurement of the territories, the 
United States adopted the present mode or system of land surveys, a 
description of which we give as follows: 

In an unsurveyed region a point of marked and changeless topo- 
graphical features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and 
longitude of this point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a 
suitable monument of iron or stone to perpetuate the position. Through 
this point a true north and south line is run, which is called a Principal 
Meridian. This principal meridian may be extended north and south 
any desired distance. Along this line are placed, at distances of one- 
half mile from each other, posts of wood or stcne, or mounds of earth. 
These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section and 
quarter-section posts. Principal meridians are numbered in the order 
in which they are established. Through the same initial point from 
which the principal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and 
established by mile and half-mile posts, as before, in a true east and west 
■direction. This line is called the Base Lme, and like the principal meri- 
dian, may be extended indefinitely in either direction. These lines form 
the basis of the survey of the country into townships and ranges. Town- 
ship lines extend east and west, parallel with the base line, at distances 
■of six miles from the base line and from each other, dividing the country 
into strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships. Range 
lines run north and south, parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the 
country into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Town- 
ship strips are numbered from the base line and range strips are num- 
bered from the principal meridian. Townships lying north of the base 
line are "townships north," those on the south are "townships south." 
The strip lying next the base line is township one, the next one to that 
township two, and so on. The range strips are numbered in the same man- 

l) 



146 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



ner, counting from the principal meridian east or west, as the case 

may be. 

» 

The township and range lines thus divide the county into six-mile 
squares. Each of these squares is called a Congressional township. All 
north and south lines north of the equator approach each other as they 
extend north, finally meeting at the north pole ; therefore north and 
south lines are not literally parallel. The east and west boundary lines 
of any range being six miles apart in the latitude of Missouri or Kansas, 
would, in thirty miles, approach each other 2.9 chains, or 190 feet. If, 
therefore, the width of the range when started from the base line is made 
exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the distance of 
thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges 
and keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in 
a continuous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across 
the state, but only across a limited number of townships, usually five, 
where the width of the range is corrected by beginning a new line on the 
side of the range most distant from the principal meridian, at such a 
point as will make the range its correct width. All range lines are cor- 
rected in the same manner. The last and west township line on which 
these corrections are made are called correction lines, or standard paral- 
lels. The surveys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth 
principal meridian, which runs through the state, and its ranges are 
numbered from it. The State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from 
the sixth. Congressional townships are divided into thirty-six square 
miles, called sections, and are known by numbers, according to their 
position. The following diagram shows the order of numbers and the 
sections in a Congressional township : 



-10 



-15- 



-20- 



-22 



-23- 



-31 — ! 32 



-38- 



-36 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



147 



Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are 
described by their position in the section. The full section contains 640 
acres, the quarter 160, the eighth 80, and the sixteenth 40. In the fol- 
lowing diagram of a section the position designated by a is known as 
the northwest quarter ; i is the northeast quarter of the northeast quar- 
ter ; d would be the south half of the southeast quarter, and would con- 
tain 80 acres. 



Sec. post 



y± Sec post. 



Sec. post. 









£ Sec 


post. 


Sec. post. 


a 
ibo acres 


h 


i 


i^ Sec. post 


J 


g 




b 


c 


e 


Sec. post. 


J 



Sec post. 



Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six mile squares of 
land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal 
townships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one 
having no reference to the other, though similar in name. On the 
county map we see both kinds of townships — the congressional usually 
designated by numbers and in squares ; the municipal or civil township 
by name and in various forms. 

By the measurement thus made by the Government the courses and 
distances are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township 
44 north, range 8 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range 
32 west ; how far, then, are Kansas City and St. Louis apart on a direct 
line ? St. Louis is forty townships east — 240 miles — and five townships 
south — thirty miles ; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled tri- 
angle, the hypothenuse being the required distance. 

ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 



The " townships," as the term is used in common phraseology, in 
many instances, is widely distinguished from that of " town," though 
many persons persist in confounding the two. " In the United States, 
many of the states are divided into townships of five, six, seven, or per- 
haps ten miles square, and the inhabitants of such townships are vested 
with certain powers for regulating their own affairs, such as repairing 
roads and providing for the poor. The township is subordinate to the 
county." A "town" is simply a collection of houses, either large or 
small, and opposed to " country." 



148 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The most important leatures connected with this system of town- 
ship surveys should be thoroughly understood by every* intelligent 
farmer and business man ; still there are some points connected with the 
understanding of it, which need close and careful attention. The law 
which established this system required that the north and south lines 
should correspond exactly with the meridian passing through that 
point ; also that each township should be six miles square. To do this 
would be an utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the 
meridians to converge toward the pole, making the north line of each 
township shorter than the south line of the same township. To obviate 
the errors which are, on this account, constantly occurring, correction 
lines are established. They are parallels bounding a line of townships 
on the north, when lying north of the principal base ; on the south line 
of townships when lying south of the principal base, from which the 
surveys, as they are continued, are laid out anew ; the range lines again 
starting at correct distances from the principal meridian. In Michigan 
these correction lines are repeated at the end of every tenth township, 
but in Oregon they have been repeated with every fifth township. The 
instructions to the surveyors have been that each range of townships 
should be made as much over six miles in width on each base and cor- 
rection line as it will fall short of the same width where it closes on to 
the next correction line north ; and it is further provided that in all 
cases, where the exterior lines of the townships shall exceed, or shall 
not extend six miles, the excess of deficiency shall be specially noted, 
and added to or deducted from the western or northern sections or half 
sections in such township, according as the error may be in running the 
lines from east to west, or from south to north. In order to throw the 
excess of deficiencies on the north and on the west sides of the town- 
ship, it is necessary to survey the section lines from south to north, on 
a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of the township to 
be governed by the convexity of the earth, and the convergency of the 
meridians. 

Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are " meandered " or surveyed by 
the compass and chain along the banks. " The instruments employed 
on these surveys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain thirty- 
three feet long, of fifty links, and another of smaller wire, as a standard 
to be used for correcting the former as often at least as every other day, 
also eleven tally pins, made of steel, telescope, targets, tape measure 
and tools for marking the lines upon trees or stones. In surveying 
through woods, trees intercepted by the line are marked with two chips 
or notches, one on each side ; these are called sight or line trees. Some- 
times other trees in the vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering 
toward the line ; but if some distance from the line the two blazes should 
be near together on the side facing the line. These are found to be per- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 49 

manent marks, not only recognizable for many years, but carrying with 
them their own age by the rings of growth around the blaze, which may 
at any subsequent time be cut out and counted as years ; and the same 
are recognized in courts of law as evidence of the date of the survey. 
They cannot be obliterated by cutting down the trees or otherwise, with- 
out leaving evidence of the act. Corners are marked upon trees if found 
at the right spots, or else upon posts set in the ground, and sometimes a 
monument of stones is used for a township corner, and a single stone for 
section corner; mounds of earth are made where there are no stones nor 
timber. At the corners the four adjacent sections are designated by 
distinct marks cut into a tree, one in each section. These trees, facing 
the corner, are plainly marked with the letters B. T. (bearing tree) cut 
into the wood. Notches cut upon the corner posts or trees indicate the 
number of miles to the outlines of the township, or if on the boundaries 
of the township, to the township corners." 




CHAPTER IX. 

ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES- EARLY SETTLERS-CLEARMONT - BUSINESS 
DIRECTORY— CHURCHES— SECRET ORDERS. 

At the April special term for 1845, we find the following order of 
court defining the bounds of Atchison Township : 

"Ordered that all the territory within the following bounds, be 
called and known by the name of Atchison Township, to wit : 

"Beginning at the southeast corner of Buchanan Township in Nod- 
away County, Missouri, on the divide between Nodaway and One Hun- 
dred and Two Rivers. Thence westwardly with the line of said town- 
ship to Atchison County. Thence south with the line dividing Nod- 
away and Atchison Counties to a point opposite the line dividing 
sections 18 and 19 in township 64. Thence east to the divide between' 
Nodaway and White Cloud. Thence north with said divide to the big 
road leading to the three forks of Nodaway. Thence with said road so 
as to include said road to the place of beginning." 

At the May term 1845, occurs the following record changing the 
bounds of Atchison Township: 

" Ordered that the record giving the bounds of Atchison Township 
be so changed as to include the road on the main divide between Nod- 
away and One Hundred and Two Rivers, so far as said township is 
bounded on said road." 

Atchison Township was reorganized June 14, 1866, with the follow- 
ing boundaries : 

"Commencing at the northeast corner of section 31, on the state 
line, township 67, range 35 ; thence west on the state line to the Noda- 
way River near the northwest corner section 32, township 67, range 36 ; 
thence meandering with said river to the section line between township 
65, range 37, sections 17 and 20, where the same crosses said river; 
thence east on the section line between sections 16 and 21,15 and 22, 
14 and 23, 13 and 24, township 65, range 37, and sections 18 and 19, 17 
and 20, 16 and 21,15 and 22 » H an< J 2 3> x 3 an ^ 24, township 65, range 
36, to the southeast corner of section 13, township 65, range 36, being 
the southeast corner of Atchison Township ; thence north on the range 
Line between ranges 35 and 36 to the township line between townships 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I 5 I 

65 and 66 ; thence west to the southwest corner of section 32, township 
66, range 35 ; thence north on section line between sections 31 and 32, 
29 and 30, 19 and 20, 17 and 18, 7 and 8, 5 and 6, township 66, range 35, 
and 31 and 32, township 67, range 35, to the place of beginning." 

Subsequently Nodaway Township was formed out of territory 
originally belonging to Atchison and Green Townships. See present 
boundaries of Nodaway Township. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The land of Atchison Township rises gently from the Nodaway 
River toward the northeast, and is well watered by Clear Creek and its 
numerous affluents. Clear Creek, formed by the uniting of the northern 
and southern branches of the same, flows nearly in a western direction, 
bending a little toward the southwest in its lower portion before it emp- 
ties into the Nodaway River. The land along Clear Creek is consid- 
erably broken, and numerous springs are found gushing out of the hills. 
Sinking Creek rises in the western part of the township and flows on a 
mile or so in a southwesterly direction, where it disappears beneath the 
ground for about a mile, when it appears again and flows on into a shal- 
low lake about a mile and a half in length and half a mile wide, which 
finds in turn an outlet into the Nodaway River. Atchison is mainly a 
a prairie towship, although there are fringes of timber along the Noda- 
way River and its affluents. The land in the township is generally 
good, and in many portions exceedingly fertile. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Ephraim W. Johnson was the first settler in Atchison Township. 
He came from Lawrence County, Indiana, and arrived November 6, 1841, 
at a point three miles north of where he now lives, where he spent the 
first winter. In the spring of the next year (1842) he settled on the place 
where he now resides, about eight miles northeast of Clearmont, on sec- 
tion 35, township 66, range 36. There were no sections then, and he 
simply took a claim after the manner of the first settlers. He now lives 
three-fourths of a mile south of the Iowa State line. This territory was 
then annexed to Andrew County, Missouri, which extended north within 
two miles of where Clarinda, the present county seat of Page County, 
Iowa, is now located. After Nodaway County was organized, Iowa and 
Missouri had a dispute about the boundary line between the States, and 
even went so far as to call out the militia to settle the matter. Iowa 
claimed the line as the boundary, dividing townships 66 and 6/, and 
Missouri claimed a boundary line twelve miles further north. Each state 
appointed a commissioner and compromised the matter, and the present 
boundary line was established in 1849. 



152 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

When Mr. Johnson first came, in the fall of 1841, he had seven chil- 
dren and only fifty cents in silver. He had no provisions for the ensu- 
ing winter, and none could be obtained this side of Buchanan County ; 
so he left his family and went to Buchanan County to obtain supplies. 
He made rails for a man by the name of Martin, and got a load of pro- 
visions and started for home. He was in company with two brothers, 
Thomas and Eli B. Johnson (who emigrated to California in 1861,) and 
a man by the name of James Campbell. On the 26th of November,. 
1 841, on their way home, they encamped at night on the White Cloud, 
close to the place where the Prather farm is now located. That evening 
it commenced snowing from the north — a terrible snow storm. The next 
morning they thought they would try to reach the family, fearing they 
might perish in the great storm. The snow had ceased to fall and it 
was calm, but the snow was so deep they could not take their wagons 
with them ; so each man got on his horse, taking about a bushel of meal 
and a little piece of meat and started at daylight for a thirty-mile ride, 
just with the harness on their horses. The snow was drifted from hill to- 
hill. As soon as the horses got saddle-skirt deep, they would lie down ; 
so they took their turn about to throw out a road through the deep- 
drifts with their hands. About the middle of the afternoon his brother 
Tom and Campbell gave out. Then he and his brother Eli had all the 
work to do. They worked on for dear life until nearly sundown, when 
they were about three miles from home. Campbell, who was a very 
profane man, then said to Ephraim Johnson :. 

"Do you think we will get in, Johnson ? " 

He replied, "I don't know Jim ; I doubt it." 

Campbell said, after a moment's reflection, " I believe I will quit 
swearing." 

They were so near home now, however, that the thought of home 
and the family seemed to nerve them to the utmost limit of endurance.. 
As the evening shades fell upon them, and the night was fast approach- 
ing, when the snow might be their only winding sheet, they strained 
every nerve and urged their horses to their utmost strength to break 
through the deep drifts. At last they saw a light glimmer through 
the darkness, and just as their strength failed them, and horses and 
men utterly prostrated, were about to fall and perish amidst the terrible 
drifts, they reach their cabin door. We drop a veil over that joyful 
meeting, which no artist could picture and no pen describe. Suffice it 
to say Mr. Johnson and his family clasped' each other in their arms and! 
thanked God that they had escaped alive from the terrible storm. 

Mrs. Johnson and her two sons had seen the awful storm was upon 
them and had resolved to make a heroic struggle for life. Levi, the 
older, only ten years of age, and Joseph, only eight years of age, had 
cut and packed enough wood on their shoulders, although the snow lay 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I 53 

three feet deep in the timber, to keep the fire burning. They would 
warm themselves and then go out together in the awful storm for more 
wood, working on amidst the drifting snow until they were rescued 
from their great peril. 

The snow melted gradually and went off entirely in about three 
weeks, when Mr. Johnson and his companions returned to the White 
Cloud and brought home their wagons. 

Mr. Johnson reared nine children, all of whom were married. Seven 
live in this county ; one daughter lives in Oakland, California, and one 
daughter died in Washington County, Oregon — two died in infancy. His 
son, Eli B., was the first child born in Atchison Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnson have fifty grand children and eleven great grand children. 

Joseph A. Johnson, who came with his father, Ephraim, in 1841, 
lived at home until he was twenty-two years of age, but pre-empted a 
piece of land in 1854 in section 35, and opened a farm, on which he is 
living at the present time. In 1844, when about twelve years of age, his 
father and mother went away on a visit into Page County, Iowa, leaving 
himself and six other children at home, only one brother being older than 
himself. One day four hundred Indians came suddenly to the house on 
ponies. There was only a little clearing around the house, just a garden 
spot. Some Indians hitched their ponies and others let theirs run loose, 
but all the Indians filed through the house as if they had never seen one 
before. They were friendly, and did not molest anything. One Indian, 
however, made as if he would shoot the dog, when Joseph snatched down 
the rifle and was going to shoot the Indian. At this the chief patted 
him, said he was brave, and wanted him to go along with them. 

One day Joseph was out hunting, as the pioneers were accustomed 
to supply themselves with meat by the chase, when he shot a large buck 
and crippled or stunned him. As he ran up to cut his throat, the buck 
jumped up, when he sprang on his back, grasping one of his horns. The 
buck, being large and powerful, ran three hundred yards before he could 
cut his throat. 

The next settlers, after Mr. Johnson, were probably Mr. Barner arrd 
John and William Taner, and their widowed mother. They emigrated 
from Old Virginia in the year 1842. 

After these pioneers, the next settler was probably a widow by the 
name of Hickman, with her two sons, John and Henry. They came from 
Dark County, Indiana, in the year 1843. 

Mr. Cartright came from Indiana in 1843. Elijah Walters came 
from Indiana in 1844, and settled where the old town of Clearmont now 
is. He built his house right where Mr. J. C. Smith's barn now stands. 

John H. Warrens came from Johnson County, Missouri, in 1845. He 
was the first justice of the peace ever commissioned in Nodaway County, 
which position he filled for many years. He was well fitted for frontier 



154 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

life. In 1866, he emigrated to Gage County, Nebraska, where he has 
filled some positions of trust, though now he is very feeble. 

Elijah Walters and James Roberts came at a very early day, and 
settled near where the old town of Clearmont stands. 

West Farrens took a claim very early, six miles northeast of where 
Clearmont is now located, near the present state line. 

Harvey Dillon took a claim about the same time in section 35, town- 
ship 66, range 36. He died in 1850. 

William Houston came in 1844 from Indiana, and stopped on his 
way, about three years, at Savannah. He settled eight miles northeast of 
Clearmont. 

Alexander Swaney settled at an early period near where Clearmont 
is now located, and Mr. J. C. Smith came in 1855 and took a claim in 
the edge of the old town of Clearmont. The town has extended upon 
his land. 

John Allison opened a farm one-half mile north of Clearmont, in 
1855. 

CLEARMONT. 

Clearmont is located five miles northeast of Burlington Junction, 
both on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and on the Clarinda 
Branch of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. Each one of these 
railroads has a depot in the town. The town is located about two miles 
east of the Nodaway River and half a mile north of Clear Creek, which 
flows into the Nodaway River a short distance below the village. Clair- 
mont is the orthography used in the Post Office Department for the 
name of the post office, but Clearmont is the spelling as used by the 
people of the town. There are two theories in reference to the origin 
of the name. As there is a roll between thirty and forty feet above the 
waters of Clear Creek near the town, some think the mound received 
its name from Clear Creek, and the name was naturally transferred to 
the new town. Others claim that, as Mr. Call, one of the original pro- 
prietors of the land on which the town is located, came from Clearmont, 
Indiana, he naturally gave this name to the place. 

Stephen Call and Marion Conley originally owned the land on which 
the town of Clearmont stood. The range line 37 passes through it. 
Call owned on the east and Conley on the west side. Conley's section 
was No. 25, range 37, township 66 ; Call's on the east side, just opposite, 
was section 30, range 36, township 66. The town site was surveyed 
and platted by Alonzo Thompson, in the year 1857. The proprietors 
donated one lot for his services in surveying the town. The lots were 
laid off 66x132, and sold at private sale. Mr. Call owned a residence in 
the corporation when the town was platted — the residence on his farm. 
Mr. Conley erected the first building in the town after it was laid off. It 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 55 

was constructed of hewed cottonwood logs, and was afterward used as 
a residence, having been moved to the edge of the town. John Griffey 
built the first blacksmith shop, and John Markwell put up the first saloon. 

In the spring of 1859, a wool carding factory was located here by 
Mr. Fleming, of Illinois. The business was carried on extensively fo r 
about two years, but on account of financial embarrassment Mr. Fleming 
was compelled to give it up, and the machinery was sold, and afterward 
converted into a shingle machine, and owned by John Shanklin, who did 
a good business in the manufacture of cottonwood shingles, which met 
with a ready sale at from $2.50 to $4 per 1,000. 

A saw mill was also located on the west side of town, and was owned 
by John and Lewis Caughman and run by Mr. Spurlock. 

The first store, built in 1865, was one for general merchandise, owned 
and run by Cross & Groves. Mint. Wallace, also in 1867, built a house, 
and commenced selling dry goods. The next store built was the one 
now occupied by James & Wilkin, which was built and run by Isaac 
Wallace and Cooper Moreland, successors to M. Wallace. Moreland 
afterward retired from the firm, Mr. Wallace continuing in the business 
for about ten months, and was succeeded by Alexander Gray, who, in 
April of the following year, took as a partner William M. Gray, and 
owing to the increasing trade, was compelled to add to their building or 
build a larger room. Th^y chose the latter, and the building now occu- 
pied by Scott & Smith erected, and sold the other building in 1869, to 
Benjamin Sweet, who occupied it with a large stock of drugs. In August 
•of the same year, he took in John G. Combs as a partner, who in March 
of 187 1, was succeeded by Stephen Curren, who in his turn, was suc- 
ceeded by Cissna & McKittrick. Patton Moreland afterward succeeded 
this firm. The firm of Alexander and William M. Gray dissolving, Alex- 
ander Gray retired from the firm, being succeeded by Stephen Curren, 
who sold in 1872, to A. Gray, J. C. Smith and M. Rittenour, the style of 
the firm being A. Gray & Co., who after one year, was succeeded by J. 
C. Smith and T. J. Rogers. Smith was afterward succeeded by J. W. 
Cissna, the style of the firm then being Rogers & Cissna. Rogers after- 
ward retired, and Cissna continued the business. 

In the fall of 1879, the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad 
and the Clarinda Branch of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific reached 
the town at the same time. Mr. Jerry Smith gave the Wabash road a 
half interest in some thirty acres of land, one-fourth mile northwest of 
the old town, on which the new town of Clearmont now stands. Mr. 
Smith also made a donation often acres of land to the Chicago, Burling- 
ton and Quincy Road for a depot. 

Mr. A. M. Scott put up the first building intended for a store in the 
new town in December, 1879. F. D. Sturtevant erected a hotel and J. 
M. Evans put up a store building about the same time. 



[56 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Soon afterward Samuel Sinebaugh built a house for a restaurant 
and boarding house, and Uriah Baxter put up a building for the same 
purposes. E. P. Miller & Co. constructed a house for a harness shop, 
and Baxter Bros, put up one for a livery stable. W. W. Taylor then 
built a blacksmith shop, and B. P. Baxter erected a dwelling. About 
this time Craig & Smith established a lumber yard with appropriate 
buildings. Samuel Sinebaugh and W. F. Smith built their dwelling 
houses next, about the same time. In the summer of 1880, the Baptist 
Church and the M. E. Church w r ere erected at the same period of time. 
A dwelling was also erected by Jacob Ragon. 

The first death in the new town of Clearmont was the child of Mr. 
and Mrs. L. C. Evans, which occurred November 12, 1880. The first 
birth in the new town was a son to Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Evans, which 
occurred July 5, 1880. 

In the old town of Clearmont a school house was erected about the 
year 1856, which was also used as a church. Public school has been 
kept in this house eight months in the year. 

Two years ago this fall Mr. Jerry Smith gathered a crop of corn 
from the land where the new town stands, which averaged sixty-five 
bushels to the acre. Now there are some forty houses, good substantial 
business houses and neat residences. Clearmont is one of the most 
promising towns in the Nodaway Valley. One by one the business- 
firms have moved to the new town, until now the old town is nearly 
deserted by its former business houses. But the old town has many 
substantial residences, and their neat door yards and orchards, with 
many shade trees will always be one of the attractions of Clearmont. 
Clearmont possesses one of the finest locations in an aesthetical point of 
view in the Nodaway Valley, and will always be attractive to all lovers 
of the beautiful in nature. Located in the finest valley of Northwest 
Missouri, and possessing all the advantages of railroads, and of the 
most fertile soil, which produces in the greatest abundance all the 
cereals and grasses, Clearmont, with its healthful and beautiful location,, 
must continue to grow in importance as a trade center. One hundred 
thousand bushels of grain have been shipped from Clearmont in the 
last six months. 

DIRECTORY OF CLEARMONT. 

Baxter, Nicholas, restaurant. Miller & Phillip, millinery. 

Baxter, B. P., livery. Miller, E. P. & Co., harness makers, 

Bucher, J. R., meat market. Phillips, F. IT., drug store. 

Butler Bros., grain dealers. Porter, E. P. & Co., grain dealers. 

Cissna, J. \V., mixed merchandise. Rogers, T. J., mixed merchandise. 

Craig & Smith, hardware. Scott & Smith, furniture. 

Evans, J. M., mixed merchandise. Smith & Rittenour, live stock dealers 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. I 57 

Gaugh, M. A., physician. Stratton, N. J., grain elevator. 

Goodson, physician. Sturtevant, F. D., Wabash Hotel. 

Hickenlooper, photographer. Taylor, William, blacksmith. 

Jones & Hotaling, lumber. White, Robert, blacksmith. 

Lent, C. W., broom manufacturer. Wilkins, William, drug store. 

CLEARMONT BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Clearmont was organized 
on Saturday before the second Sunday in October, 1872, with twenty- 
three members, and was the result of a meeting held by Elder A. M. 
Wallace a short time previous to its organization. Elder Wallace has 
been the pastor of this church from its organization to the present time 
with the exception of one year. Elder Jacob Sharp served them in 
1879. The house of worship was built in 1880, at a cost of $2,100, and 
is paid for except about $150. The present membership numbers sixty- 
nine. 

CLEARMONT MASONIC LODGE. 

The members of the former Lodge at Lamar Station, who live at 
Clearmont and vicinity, petitioned for the organization of a lodge at 
Clearmont. Such an organization will soon be effected and a charter 
obtained. The Masons at Clearmount have secured a hall which will 
cost them, furnished, about $1,200. 

CLEARMONT LODGE NO. 1 87, L O. G. T. 

On February 1, 1879, this lodge was organized with the following 
charter members : 

D. Myers, Mrs. Emma -Rittenour, P. H. Walker, F. L. Cason, Gertie 
Myers, J. M. Goodson, Mora M. Janes, Jerome T. Smith, Delia Taylor, 
Thomas B. Woods, J. W. Allen, Mrs. J. W. Woods, William W. Taylor, 
Emma Hamlin, E. L. Cason, J. M. Cason, M. J. Goodson. Lizzie Du Hod- 
way, R. K. James, H. H. Thummel, M. E. Miller, Hennan Rush, H. Mil- 
ler, C. H. Hicks and Isaac Chevington. 

The names of the officers of the lodge when it was organized were 
as follows : 

D. C. Myers, W. C. T.; Emma Rittenour, W. V. T.; P. H. Walker, 
W. Chaplain; F. J. Cason, W. S. E. C; Gertie Myers, W. A. S.; J. M. 
Goodson, W. F. S.; Mora M. Janes, W. Treasurer ; Jerome T. Smith, W. 
M.; Delia Taylor, W. D. M.; Mrs. M. J. Woods, W. I. G.; J. W. Allen, 
W. O. G.; Thomas B. Woods, P. W. C. T. 

This lodge has done considerable work in the temperance cause at 
Clearmont. The members are somewhat scattered, and are more active 



i 5 8 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



in the winter, when agricultural pursuits do not occupy so much of their 
time. The lodge numbers at the present time seventy-seven members- 
Some members of the lodge are constantly alive to the grand work, and 
labor at all seasons to advance the good cause. The fire always burns 
in their hearts, and they are ready " in season and out of season," for 
every good word and work. Such fire in the heart is contagious, and 
such every day workers must remember that the promise is to them 
" that endure to the end," and that they " will reap in due time if they 
faint not." 




CHAPTER X. 

GRANT TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY— PHYSICAL FEATURES-ITS EARLY SETTLERS— BARNARD-OFFICIAL AND 
BUSINESS DIRECTORY-CHURCHES— SECRET ORDERS-PRAIRIE PARK. 

BOUNDARY. 

Grant Township was made out of territory originally belonging to 
Washington and White Cloud Townships, but the boundaries not being 
found on record, we take the following boundaries from the county map 
prepared by Messrs. Morehouse and Sisson : 

Commencing at the northeast corner of section 17, township 63, 
range 34, thence west between sections 8 and 17, 7 and 18, in township 
63, range 34, thence west between 12 and 13,11 and 14, to the northwest 
corner of section 14, in township 63, range 35, then south three miles to 
the northwest corner of section 35, township 63, range 35, thence west 
between sections 27 and 34, township 63, range 35, to the northwest 
corner of section 34, thence south to the south line of Nodaway County, 
thence east to the southeast corner of section 32, township 62, range 34, 
thence north three miles, then west one-fourth of a mile, thence north 
three miles, then east one-fourth of a mile, thence north four miles to 
the place of beginning. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Grant Township is as well watered as any section of the county. 
The Platte River runs along the eastern border of the township for some 
distance. Long Creek flows nearly through the whole township from 
north to south, and empties into the Platte River near the southern 
boundary. One Hundred and Two touches the northeastern corner of 
the township where it is deflected slightly towards the west, but returns 
and entering the township flows through the entire extent. The land of 
the township is rather rolling, the inequalities increasing as we approach 
the streams. Belts of timber are found along the water courses, which 
increase in width as we go southward. It is estimated that about one- 
eighth of the area of the township is timbered land, the usual varieties 
of timber in this latitude being found. Limestone and freestone are 



l6o HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

found in abundance along the streams, quarrymen taking out as large 
slabs of stone from the various quarries as can be handled. The soil is 
rich, and is well adapted to all the cereals and to the grasses. 

OLD SETTLERS. 

Jack Brown located in Grant Town- Wm. Goferth in 1841. 

ship in 1 84 1. Wm. Campbell in 1842. 

Gillam Bailey in 1842. Wright Bailey in 1842. 

Judge Charles Myers in 1842. Barnabas Myers in 1842. 

Absolom Rhodes in 1842. David Rhodes in 1842. 

Dyer Cash in 1842. Wm. Smith in 1842. 

Henderson Glenn in 1842. Phillip Boler in 1843. 

James Pennington in 1843. Joseph Blakely in 1844 

Jude Thomas Brown in 1844. Preston Curnett in 1844. 

Byrd Billings in 1850. Valentine Korell in 185 1. 

Sometime before the year 1850, Frank Conlin came and settled in 
the Narrows, about one mile and a half east of the present site of Bar- 
nard. The Narrows is a strip of land or ridge between the One Hun- 
dred and Two and Platte Rivers, about three miles long and one mile 
wide. In the central portion it is timbered from east to west. At an 
early day Isaac Broderick emigrated from Tennessee and settled three 
miles and a half southeast of the place where Barnard is now located. 
Judge Elijah Shelton came from Indiana and located four miles east of 
the present site of Barnard. Dr. Wm. Blagg grew up in Nodaway 
County, about three miles northeast of Barnard. Joseph Blagg located 
four miles east of where Barnard is situated. In 1848, A. J. Dearing 
came from Virginia and stopped in Cooper County and Andrew County 
awhile, but removed to this county in 1856, and settled on the divide 
two miles and a half west of Barnard, but removed in a year to section 
16, where he opened a claim and still resides. James F. Hainey emi- 
grated from Kentucky to Washington Township in April, 185 1, and died 
there in May, 1862. P. J. Hainey, his son, lived on the old homestead 
until seven years ago, when he came to Guilford, Grant Township, and 
afterward removed to Barnard. Valentine Korell came from Prussia 
June 19, 1850, arrived in New York August 4, 1850, and went to St. 
Louis. He came to Nodaway County March 1, 1852, and settled on 
the present town site of Barnard. He was the first blacksmith in the 
town of Barnard, and is now the mayor. 

THE BEESWAX MARRIAGE. 

Many amusing circumstances have happened in pioneer life that 
create a broad smile upon the faces of those who are surrounded by the 
wealth and refinements of modern society. The following incident 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. l6l 

occurred in Barnard in "ye olden time," and deserves a record in the 
chronicles of that historic city. Late one evening a couple came to 
'Squire Korell and desired to know how much he would tax to marry 
them. The 'Squire replied that his charge would be two dollars and 
fifty cents. The man said he had no money, and wanted to know if the 
'Squire would not trust them. The 'Squire replied that he never mar- 
ried people on time, but always received his fee in hand. The party 
then retired for consultation, and there followed a conference with sig- 
nificant whisperings and conversation in undertone. Soon the couple 
seemed to be reassured and approached the 'Squire and asked " if he 
would not take his fee in beeswax ? The 'Squire replied that he would 
take beeswax at its market value. So the beeswax was brought in and 
weighed and found to be worth sixty cents. The 'Squire said there was 
not enough beeswax to marry them. Another conference ensued when 
the lady approached, and in very sweet, beseeching tones, said : 
" 'Squire, will you not marry us as far as the beeswax goes ? " The 
'Squire gave a broad smile and consented, said he thought there was 
enough beeswax to stick them together. The ceremony proceeded, and 
soon the happy couple were made one and went on their way rejoicing. 

BARNARD. 

This town was named in honor of J. F. Barnard, Superintendent of 
the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. The land on 
which the town is located was originally owned by J. C. McCandliss, 
A. J. Dearing, Samuel Stonehocker and John McFarland. A town com- 
pany was formed by A. P. Morehouse, John Strong, John McFarland, 
Samuel Stonehocker and J. F. Barnard. 

The railroad depot was built in April, 1870. 

The town was surveyed by Mr. Brady, and laid off and platted in 
May, 1.870. 

The first lot was sold at private sale to James U. McKenzie in the 
t!he early part of May. Mr. McKenzie put up the first store for general 
merchandise and sold the first goods in the town. 

The first public sale of lots was on May 14, 1870. Amos Baker & 
Bro. then put up a store and opened a general stock of merchandise. 

The next store was erected for general merchandise by Forrest & 
Shuff, who commenced doing business. About the same time a hotel 
was erected and opened by Samuel Stonehocker, who was the first hotel 
"keeper in the new town. 

A blacksmith shop was put up in 1873 by John T. Gamble, who was 
the first blacksmith in the town. 

The first livery stable was erected by Davis & Stonehocker in the 
year 1873. 



162 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In 1876, A. W. Bear & Co. erected a drug store and commenced 
doing business. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the year 1874, and 
the Presbyterian Church was built in 1878. 

The first boot and shoe store was built in 1873 by Valentine Korell, 
who commenced the manufacture and sale of boots and shoes. 

A school house was erected in the year 1873, and a school opened. 

Miss S. A. Miller and Miss F. G. Miller opened the first millinery 
store. 

J. J. Rankin put up the first saloon in 1876. 

The grist mill at Barnard was built in the year 1869, by James C. 
McCandliss. There is an excellent dam thrown across the One Hundred 
and Two River at this point, which utilizes the whole power of the river. 
The mill grinds at all seasons of the year, and does most excellent work. 
It cost over $12,000. 

The first death in Barnard was that of a young man named Oliver 
Britton, and occurred in July, 1871. 

The first birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Eaton, in the 
summer of 187 1. 

Barnard is located in the midst of the rich valley lands of the One 
Hundred and Two River, and is surrounded by some of the finest farming 
country in Nodaway County. It is the center of a large trade, and is 
already a shipping point of considerable importance. More than 20,000 
bushels of grain have been shipped from Barnard during the past year. 
The town must of necessity grow in population and wealth, and increase 
in importance as a trade center. The population is now about 500. 

The town was incorporated August 25, 1881. 

CITY OFFICERS. 

The first trustees of the town were : V. Korell, H. C. Annan, J. A. 
Forrest, Sr., J. W. Heath and Amos Baker. 

•Valentine Korell, mayor ; E. D. Adams, Samuel Phillips, J. M. 
Gavin and J. J. Jeffreys, trustees, 1881. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Adams, E. D., blacksmith. 

Annan, H. C. & R. L., general merchandise. 

Asquith, Hobert, groceries. 

Bariteau, L. C, grain merchant. 

Blakeley, Felix, saloon. 

Clawson, D. B., harness maker. 

Connutt & Gausach, livery. 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 63 

Dearing, M. G. & Son, hardware. 

Earls & George, hardware, furniture and agricultural implements. 

Elrod, James & Co., groceries. 

Frederick, E. G., saloon. 

Garvin, J. M. & Son, general merchandise. 

Harlan, John, carpenter shop and wagon shop. 

Hartwick, J. G., shoemaker and boot and shoe store. 

Heath, J. W., physician. 

Hainey, P. J., justice of the peace. 

Jeffries, J. J., expressman. 

Jamerson, J. A. & Co., meat market. 

Korell, Valentine & Son, blacksmiths. 

Korell, Valentine, mayor. 

Lyle & Sharp, milliners. 

McKee & Co., stock buyers. 

McAdow, J. S., physician. 

McCaskey, N. & Co., druggists. 

Nance, Frank, depot agent. 

Pew, James, restaurant. 

Phillips & Gaddis, agricultural implements. 

Phillips, Samuel, druggist. 

Powell, Milton, blacksmith. 

Rankin, J. J., saloon. 

Reed, Mrs. John, milliner. 

Reed & Custis, grain merchants. 

Robison, Samuel, marshal. 

Slimmer, Charles, meat market. 

Stockton, J. C, livery. 

Stockton, J. C, Western Hotel. 

Stonehocker, Robert, carpenter. 

Thompson, J. B., postmaster. 

Williams & Williams, general merchandise. 

White, Robert, carpenter. 

Whiteford, J. & Son, lumber yard. 

Williams, George R. & Co., general merchandise. 

CHURCHES — PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

This church had a preliminary organization in the country, two 
miles west of Barnard, at a place called Salem. It was re-organized in 
the year 1870 at Barnard, by Elder Sherwood, of St. Joseph. The mem- 
bers at the time of the re-organization were as follows : J. C. McCand- 
liss and wife, James Giffin and wife, Wm. Giffin, Samuel Stonehocker 
and wife, Mrs. S. McFarland, Mrs. C. C. Baker, Mr. C. House and wife, 



164 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Albert Ulman and others. The following persons have been pastors of 
the church : Rev. E. B. Sherwood, Rev. Wm. Ilsley, and Rev. D. B. 
Suther. The church edfice is valued at $1,500. The church has had no 
settled ministry for about a year. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Barnard was organized in the 
year 187 1. The following are the names of the original members : John 
R. Phipps and wife, Martin Baker and wife, Newton Wilson and wife, 
James H. Brown and wife, Alfred Baker and wife, Amos Baker and wife, 
Mr. Bartlett and wife, Mrs. David Wilson and Miss Martha Wilson. 
During the first year services were held in the depot by Rev. Mr. Cow- 
den. Services were held afterward in the school house by Rev. A. K. 
Miller. Rev. Isaac Chivington, afterward put up the church, which is 
valued at $1,500. The following named persons have been pastors of 
the church: Rev! E. V. Roof, Rev. John Moorhead, Rev. Robert Devlin 
and Rev. Mr. Powers. There is a good Sabbath school, and the church 
is doing a good work. In the early history of the church there were 
some great revivals. 

SECRET ORDERS — WHITE HALL LODGE, NO. 301, A. F. & A. M. 

White Hall Lodge was organized August 8, 1868, at White Hall 
school house, about two miles and a half southeast of where Barnard is 
now located. It was afterward moved to Barnard. The present mem- 
bership numbers thirty-six. The names of the present officers are as 
follows: J. A. Jamerson, W. M.; N. McCaskey, S. W.; J. H. Perry, J. 
W.; Smith George, Treasurer; L. Williams, Secretary; A. L. Williams, 
S. D.; J. B. Kildow, J. D.; J. H. Haughtaling. Senior Steward; A. J. 
Dearing, Junior Steward; Harvey Davis, Tyler. The lodge meets on or 
after the full moon each month. 

NODAWAY VALLEY LODGE, NO. 48, (ENCAMPMENT), I. O. O. F. 

This lodge received its organization July 1, 1876. The names of its 
charter members are as follows : V. Korell, J. E. Follett, G. E. Smith, S. 
Hartsell, Henry Cady, James A. Forrest, Sr., John Montgomery and 
David Wilson. The present officers are: Samuel Phillips, W. C; Jonas 
Thompson, V. C; V. Korell, Chaplain; Jonas Thompson, R. S.; J. E. 
Follett, P. S.; John D. Montgomery, Treasurer. The lodge meets the 
third Friday in each month. The membership numbers twenty-four. 

BARNARD LODGE NO. 204, A. O. U. W. 

The Barnard Lodge received its organization in September, 1880. 
The following persons were constituted charter members : 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 165 

George Williams, Cana Baker, Hobart Aisquith, Dr. A. B. Allen, 
H. H. Seeley, M. W. Gavin and John Harlan. The following named 
persons are officers of the lodge at the present time : 

George Williams, W. M.; Cana Baker, Foreman ; Albert Ulman, 
Overseer ; H. Seeley, Recorder ; H. Aisquith, Receiver ; John Price, 
Guide ; Alexander Jameson, Watchman ; John Harlan, P. M. W.; A. B. 
Allen, Examing Physician. The membership numbers twenty-one. The 
lodge is harmonious and prosperous. 

BARNARD LODGE NO. 282, I. O. O. F. 

Barnard Lodge was organized June 7, 1873. Tne names of the 
charter members were as follows : James A. Forrest, Sen.; J. E. Follett, 
John Montgomery, Solomon Hartzell and V. Korell. The officers of 
the lodge are : John Reed, N. G.; Chas. Broderick, V. G.; John W. Por- 
ter, R. S.; J. P. Korell, P. S.; S. Philips, Treasurer. The lodge meets 
the first and third Saturday evenings of each month. The lodge owns 
its lodge room, and is prosperous. The present membership numbers 
fifty-three. 

DAUGHTERS OF REBECCA, OLIVE LODGE, NO. 24. 

This Lodge received its organization August 15, 1876. The charter 
members of the Lodge were as follows : S. Phillips and wife, J. A. 
Forrest and wife, V. Korell and wife, J. E. Follett and wife, J. B. 
Thompson and wife, W. J. Thompson and wife, R. S. Hartsell and wife, 
J. A. Forrest, Sen., and wife, John D. Montgomery, G. E. Smith and 
wife, David Wilson and wife, and Henry Dorst and wife. 

The present officers of the Lodge are : A. Korell, N. G.; Samuel 
Phillips, V. G.; John D. Montgomery, R. S.; David Wilson, Treasurer ; 
Henry Dorst, P. S. 

The Lodge meets on Wednesday night each month before the full 
moon. The membership numbers thirty-seven. The Lodge is reported 
to be in fine condition. 

PRAIRIE PARK. 

Originally there was a post office, a store and a few dwellings one 
mile south of the present site of Barnard. The place was known 
among the early settlers as Prairie Park. Subsequently the business 
went to other points, and the place was given up as a trade center. 



CHAPTER XL 

GREEN TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY — PHYSICAL FEATURES — EARLY SE I'TLERS — QUITMAN — CHURCHES - 
SECRET ORDERS-BUSINESS DIRECTORY-FAIRYIEW. 

TOWNSHIP BOUNDED. 

On June 14, 1866, appears the following order of court, defining the 
bounds of Green Township : 

Commencing at the northeast corner of section 20, township 65, 
range 36, thence west on the section line between sections 17 and 20, 18 
and 19, township 65, range 36, and sections 13 and 24, 14 and 23, 15 and 
22, 16 and 27, 17 and 20, 18 and 19, township 65, range 37, and 13 and 
24, 14 and 23, 15 and 22, township 65, range 38, iO the northwest corner 
of section 22, township 65, range 38, thence south on the west line of 
said county and on section line between sections 21 and 22, 27 and 28, 
33 and 34, township 65, range 38, to sections 3 and 4, 9 and 10, 15 and 
16, 21 and 22, 27 and 28, 33 and 34, in township 64, range 38, and to the 
northwest corner of section 3, township 63, range 38, thence east on sec- 
tions between 3 and 10, 2 and 11, 1 and 2, township 6$, range 38, and 
sections 6 and 7, 5 and 8, 4 and 9, 3 and 10, 2 and 1 1, 1 and 12, township 
63, range 37, and sections 6 and 7, 5 and 8, to the southeast corner of 
section 5, township 63, range 36, thence north on section line between 
sections 4 and 5, township 63, range 36, and sections 32 and 33, 28 and 
29, 20 and 21, 16 and 17, 8 and 9, 4 and 5, township 64, range 36, and 
sections 32 and 33, 28 and 29, 20 and 21, to the northeast corner of sec- 
tion 20, township 65, range 36, to the place of beginning. 

Subsequently Nodaway Township was taken out of territory orig- 
inally belonging to Green and Atchison Townships. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Green Township is divided nearly in the center by the Nodaway 
River, which, for about three miles passing southward from the northern 
line of the township, forms the boundary line between the townships of 
Green and Nodoway. The township is well watered by the Nodaway 
and its various affluents which flow into it on both sides. The land on 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 67 

the east side of the Nodaway rises gently from the valley toward the 
east, with a slight elevation toward the north. The land on the west 
side of the Nodaway rises gradually toward the west. In consequence 
of these physical features the affluents of the Nodaway on the east side, 
flow southeasterly into the river, and those on the west side flow in a 
general direction easterly to the river. On the east side of the Noda- 
way as we pass from north to south, the names of the affluents are 
Bowman's Branch, Sand Creek, with its branches, and Florida, with its 
branches. On the west side, as we pass in the same direction, the names 
of the affluents are Waterloo Branch, Jones' Branch, Huff Branch, Wil- 
son's Branch, Mineral Spring Branch, and Burr Oak Branch. 

The first bottom of the Nodaway Valley is about a mile in width 
on the east side af the river, and on the west side it is wider and some- 
times extends back from the river two miles. A few lakes occur along 
the valley in close proximity to the river. The eastern watershed of 
the valley lies near the east line of Green township, and the western 
watershed lies beyond the western boundary of the township, in Atchi- 
son County. The whole township is made up of fine valley lands, rather 
rolling in character, but not subject to the " wash " so common to many 
portions of Missouri. The western half of the township lying west of 
the Nodaway River, and portions of the eastern half, possess the rich 
vegetable mold or alluvium resting upon the Loess or bluff formation, 
the very best soil in the Missouri Valley. The Nodaway Valley has 
considerable timber, Sand Creek and Huff Branch are well timbered, the 
timber on Sand Creek extending near its sources, and all of the creeks 
in the township have more or less timber. It is estimated that about 
one-tenth of the township is timbered land. Along the Nodaway River 
and Sand Creek there is an abundance of stone for building purposes, 
and there is some stone found along the branches' of the Florida. Coal 
is found a little south of Quitman, and along the Florida Branch, and is 
mined in considerable quantities for commercial purposes. The best 
veins will average from eighteen to twenty-two inches in thickness, and 
produce a fair article of bituminous coal. In Green Township there are 
several water privileges only, one of which has been improved in the 
erection of the mill near Quitman. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Mr. Win. Bowman was on; of the early settlers in what is now 
Green Township. He settled about three miles south of the place where 
Dawson now stands, on the west side of the Nodaway River, in the 
spring of 1841. He took a claim and opened a farm, and Joseph Hut- 
son, who, the year previous, had settled on Mill Creek, broke ten acres 
of prairie for him, to help him make a start in pioneer life. Mr. Bow- 



1 68 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

man, about two years after he came to Green Township, under the influ- 
ence of the emigration fever which prevailed about that time to go to 
the Pacific Coast, sold out to James Roberts and went to Oregon. 

Elijah Dodson came soon afterward in the year 1842, and settled a 
little north of where Quitman is now located, on the east side of the 
Nodaway River. He lived there about ten years and then, under the 
impulse of the fever to go to the Pacific Coast, sold out and went to 
Oregon. He had two sons, William and Jesse, and three sons-in-law, 
who settled near where he located in Green Township. The names of 
these sons-in-law were John Dawson and Dennis Dawson, who were 
brothers, and John Harris. They all came in the year 1842. 

In the year 1843, John Porter came and settled about one mile and 
a-half south of Dodson's place, on the west side of the Nodaway River. 
He also sold out and went to Oregon. 

Joseph Hutson, the oldest pioneer in Nodaway County west of the 
Nodaway River, says he has seen as many as sixty wagons a day going 
to the Pacific Coast. They would go in companies of about thirty 
wagons, for protection against the Indians, who were troublesome on 
the plains beyond the Missouri River. 

Mr. Harris came about the same time or a little earlier, and took a 
claim one mile a little southwest of Mr. Porter's place. Beyond Mr. 
Harris' place, going south, at that early period, Joseph Hutson says there 
was a wild wilderness with no settlement for twenty miles. The face of 
nature lay in all its native wildness and awful solitude, while here and 
there might be seen the white smoke of some lonely wigwam. In those 
early days game was abundant in the Nodaway Valley, and the pioneer 
hunters were richly rewarded by finding an abundance of elk, deer, 
wolves, turkeys and some bears. The sure rifle of the pioneer brought 
his daily food, and his table was supplied in abundance with wild game 
that epicures of cities now bring to their tables as the rarest delicacies 
from great distances and at considerable expense. The pioneer had 
many things to encourage him, and he was always cheered with the 
prospect that ever opened before him — the thought that his children 
would enjoy the fruits of his early privations. 

Hiram Lee was among the earliest settlers of Green Township. He 
came and opened a claim and built the first grist mill near where Quit- 
man now stands. He sold out to Rankin Russell, and moved down four 
miles south, and opened another claim. Mr. Russell tore down the old 
log mill, and put up a frame grist and saw mill in the place of it. 

John D. Holt laid a Mexican land warrant in 1849, on a timbered 
quarter section of land, about five miles southeast of where Quitman 
stands. He sold out to Joel Albright in 1853. Mr. Albright has since 
entered the prairie land in his immediate vicinity, and has a fine 
farm. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 69 

In 1849, William R. Holt settled three miles southeast of where 
Quitman is now located, buying a piece of land from Richard Miller. 

The pioneers all agree that the winter of 1849, was as severe as any 
winter ever experienced in Missouri from its earliest settlement. The 
cold was unusually severe and protracted, and the snow was drifted very 
deep. William V. Smith, of Skidmore, says he used three yoke of oxen 
to draw a load of corn through the deep drifts of snow. It may be 
impossible to tell how cold the winter was, as there were no meteoro- 
logical journals kept in Northwest Missouri at that early day, but the 
pioneers suffered much in their rude huts, many of which had been 
hastily and imperfectly constructed ; and as they looked out on the deep 
drifts of snow all around them, they were forcibly reminded of the com- 
fortable homes they had left for frontier life. Still they determined to 
remain, and when the snows melted and spring came again with sunshine 
and flowers, they went forth with cheerful hearts, almost forgetting the 
rigors of the winter season. 

OLD SETTLERS OF GREEN TOWNSHIP. 

Joel Albright, 1839 ! William Bowman, 1841 ; Elijah Dodson, 1842 ; 
William Dodson, 1842 ; Jesse Dodson, 1842 ; John Dawson, 1842; John 
Harris, 1842 ; Dennis Dawson, 1842 ; Jesse Roberts, 1842 ; James 
Roberts, 1842 ; John Thomas, 1842 ; Wm. Harris, 1842; John Porter, 
1843 ; John Grooms, 1845 ; William R. Holt, 1849; Solomon Shell, 185 1 ; 
Hiram Lee, Rankin Russell, John D. Holt and Richard Miller. 

QUITMAN. 

The town of Quitman was incorporated February 8, 1881, and is sit- 
uated eleven miles west of Maryville, and two miles north, on the Noda- 
way Valley Railroad. It is located on the east bank of the Nodaway 
River, on high rolling land, overlooking the river. The location of the 
town is very sightly and picturesque, and the views are fine. The beau- 
tiful Nodaway flows at one's feet, and an observer looks down on a land- 
scape toward the west that is exceedingly charming. The rolling lands 
of Green Township unfold like a panoramic view, and at the present time 
of writing, (Indian summer,) the groves along the river and its afflu- 
ents display their richest autumnal tints. No forests in the world com- 
pare with American forests in the richness of their foliage during the 
Indian summer, when all the groves put on their autumnal glories. They 
have been the delight of artists, who have striven in vain to reproduce 
them on the canvas, and have formed the dreams of poets who have 
tried to picture them forth in words. But Art is powerless in the pres- 
ence of Nature, when she puts on her autumnal robes and is arrayed 



lyo HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

with a matchless beauty. But the poet has indeed very sweetly said of 
Indian summer : 

" The tranquil river glideth to the sea, 

Thro' purple haze the golden sunbeams (all ; 
The white sails glimmer by us silently, — 
The hush of dreamland lieth over all." 

The poet might have lived at Quitman, for a people living amidst 
such beautiful scenes of nature should be poetical. But life in the west 
seems to have a hard, practical phase that takes all the poetry out of it. 
Travelers have truly said that many people in America live indifferent 
amidst scenes of nature whose beauty is unequalled in foreign lands. 
The people of Quitman surely have all the elements to be aesthetical. 

The land on which the town of Quitman stands was originally 
entered by Hiram Lee. He sold it to R. R. Russell, who was the 
founder of Quitman. Mr. Russell laid out the town in 1856. It was 
first called Russellville, but was subsequently given its present name in 
honor of General John A. Quitman, who was once Governor of Missis- 
sippi. Judge Neal was the surveyor when the town was platted. Judge 
William Emmerson bought the first lot, No. 8, block 12. David Tignor 
bought the second lot, in block 14. 

It may be proper to state that before the town was laid off, Hiram 
Lee had a log cabin on the town site. Wiley Tracy also had a log house 
before the town was laid off, on the land where the town now stands. 
William Emmerson also put up a house for general merchandise, and 
opened a store. 

After the town was laid off Mr. R. R. Russell probably put up the 
first house for a residence, and moved into it. Mr. Russell also put up 
the first brick building for a store, in which was opened a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. Isaac T. Jones then erected a dwelling which was 
afterwards used for a store, some additions having been made to it. The 
next house, a brick building, was erected by Merideth Tanner. Joel 
Albright put up the next store for general merchandise. 

A steam saw mill was erected in 1859, by Reese and Sellers. 
About this time C. R. Hardest)- built a blacksmith shop and dwelling. 
A bridge was also built across the Nodaway River just below the mill in 
the year 1858. The present grist mill was erected in 1869 by Nash & 
Ware, and is still occupied by S. T. Ware. 

In April, 1880, a destructive five occurred in Quitman which* burnt 
all the buildings on Broadway, the main street, except two business houses. 
This fire was a calamity to the town, but the people rallied, and the 
town was soon built up again. Mr. Russell was the first postmaster. 

The Nodaway Valley Railroad came to Quitman in 1880. Johnston 
& Radford shipped the first car load oi' lumber to Quitman. During 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 171 

the spring of 188 1, Jacob Grant established a brick yard. During the 
past year, twenty-one new dwellings and ten buildings for business have 
been erected in Quitman. The town has now about five hundred inhab- 
itants. 

When the railroad came to the town the citizens determined to 
secure a new incorporation from the county court. 

The first board of Trustees of the town were John Gray, James W. 
Wyke, Charles A. Radford, David Kimble, and James W. Weddle, Jr. 

The first marriage in Quitman occurred probably in 1856, when Mr. 
John Tignor and Miss Malinda Willis were united in bands of matri- 
mony by Rev. W. Emmerson, at the house of the bride's father. The 
first death was that of Robert Russell, a son of R. R. Russell, the exact 
date of which seems to have escaped recollection. Mrs. Mary C. 
Jones, daughter of Judge Win. Emmerson, is the oldest resident now 
living in Quitman. She came to Quitman in the year 1855, she thinks 
about the time the town was laid out by Mr. Russell. 

The school is in a good condition, with a full attendance. Quitman 
has a good frame school house. Miss Cora Huff is the principal of the 
school. 

The names of the trustees of the town under the present incorpo- 
ration are as follows : John Lamb, Chairman ; W. H. Smith, A. John- 
ston, S. T. Ware, James Wykoff, Trustees. C. A. Radford, Treasurer ; 
George Gill, Marshal ; Sheldon Adkins, Clerk. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Ackerman, John, groceries and meat market. 

Adkins, Shelden, justice of the peace. 

Bariteau & Welch, steam elevator. 

Carson & Co., livery. 

Carlton E. L., hotel. 

Chandler, Charles, blacksmith shop. 

Craft, William, confectionery. , 

Crawford, C. C, general merchandise. 

Dace, C. F., barber. 

Davis, F. M., physician. 

Fargo & Sheets, restaurant. 

Gill Bros., hardware. 

Grant, Jacob, brickmaker. 

Gray, John, harness shop. 

Hargrave, S. L., physician. 

Howell Bros., lumber dealers. 

Hillweg, E. W., railroad agent. 

Johnston, H., li\ :ry. 



172 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Johnston & Radford, general merchandise. 

Manning, E. M. physician. 

Mason, J. L., wagon maker. 

Martin, B., shoemaker. 

Myers, George, feed stable. 

Nash, E. D., horse power elevator. 

Owens, Mrs., millinery. 

Rice, Jacob, physician. 

Radford, C. A., notary public and postmaster. 

Smith, W. H., druggist and notary public. 

Spears, C. W., grain buyer. 

Weddle, J. W., blacksmith. 

Weddle, J. W., Sr., wagon maker. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Quitman was organized in the 
year 1871, with the following original members: G. E. Basom, Jane 
Basom, W. T. Radford, Sallie Radford, C. A. Radford, Thomas Bond and 
Mrs. E. O. Manning. 

The church has had the following named pastors to supply it : W. B. 
Sunderland, L. Shelley, W. Coneley, W. B. Moody, W. P. Bishop, I. 
Chivington, W. L. Edmonds, and Eri Edmonds, who is the present 
pastor. The church edifice is worth $1,500. There is a good Sabbath 
School, with an average attendance of eighty. The membership of the 
church numbers thirty. The church at Quitman has done a good work, 
and is now in a flourishing condition. The church has experienced the 
usual difficulties in laying foundation stones in a new country, but the 
promise has been verified to them : " My grace is sufficient for thee." 1 
There is a good parsonage, worth $700. 

QUITMAN LODGE, NO. 196, A. F. & A. M. 

On May 30, i860, this lodge received its charter. The following are 
the names of the charter members ; Samuel F. Kennedy, Thomas J. 
McQuidy, Samuel Noffsinger and A. B. Moore. The officers of the lodge 
at the time of its organization were: Samuel F. Kennedy, W. M.; Thos. 
J. McQuidy, S. W.; Samuel Noffsinger, J. \V. The names of the present 
officers are as follows: Theo. Pifer, W. M.; William Torphy, S. W.; 
Isaac Bryan, J. W. ; W. H. Franklin, Secretary ; H. M. McKinzie, Tyler ; 
William McDonald, S. D.; James McDonald, J. D. The present mem- 
bership of this lodge numbers seventy. The lodge is prosperous, and 
meets Saturday nights on or before the full moon in each month. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 173 

COMET LODGE, NO. 284, I. O. O. F. 

The charter of this lodge was granted June 10, 1873. The charter 
members of the lodge are as follows : H. M. McKinzie, H. H. Nash, W. 
H. Smith, J. C. Smith, John H. Ware, Jr., and James Parshall. The 
names of the officers are as follows: C. A. Radford, N. G.; John Gray, 
V. G.; Theo. Pifer, R. S.-, J. W. Carden, Treasurer; A. B. Huff, R. S. to 
N. G.; J. Ackerman, L. S. to N. G.; J. W. Wycoff, Warden ; Charles Car- 
son, L. S. S.; A. Johnson, C; A. Earhart, R. S. S.; James Weddle, R. S. 
to V. G.; J. C. Smith, L. S. to V. G.; H. M. McKinzie, I. G.; J. M. Wil- 
son, L. D. The present membership numbers thirty. The lodge is pros- 
perous and doing a good work. 

FAIR VIEW. 

John Bilby came from Illinois in 1875, and bought several thousand 
acres of land, which is now enclosed and in cultivation or pasture. 
Soon after he came he located Fairview, four miles southwest by south 
from Quitman. Bilby & Bird put up the first building for a dwelling 
house. John Bilby erected the next building for a store and opened a 
large stock of general merchandise. A blacksmith shop was then 
erected. Three or four dwelling houses were erected west of the store. 
There is a post office, John Bilby, postmaster. He owns a fine resi- 
dence about one-fourth of a mile north of Fairview. This town is 
located in what is known among the farmers as Whig Valley District, 
which embraces the valley on the west side of the Nodaway River. 
The name originally came from a small settlement of Old Line Whigs, 
three miles and a half west of Graham. 




CHAPTER XII. 

HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY - PHYSICAL FEATURES - EARLY SETTLERS - HOPKINS - SCHOOLS - 
CHURCHES— SECRET ORDERS-HOPKI.NS TOWN COM I'ANY— CORNET BAND. 

On November 7, 1871, we find the following petition and order of 
court organizing and defining the boundaries of Hopkins Township: 

" Now comes Samuel McFarland, et at., and files a petition in this 
court, praying for an order of court to divide Union Township, com- 
mencing at the south corner of section nineteen (19), in township sixty- 
six (66), of range thirty-five (35); thence running due east on the section 
line to the east boundary of said township, the north part of the organ- 
ized township to be known and designated as Hopkins Township, in said , 
county, and that trie south part be known as Union Township, in said 
county, and that the voting precinct in Hopkins Township be known as 
Hopkins, all of which is maturely considered by the court, and ordered 
that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, as requested in said peti- 
tion ; and it is further ordered by the court that the voting precinct in 
Union Township be changed from Xeni to Pickering, in Union 
Township." 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

This township is well watered by the One Hundred and Two River 
and its branches and various affluents. The river flows through the 
township a little west of the middle, and in the northern portion of the 
township it is divided into three branches, known as the Eastern, Mid- 
dle and Western Forks. Beard's Creek flows into the One Hundred and 
Two from the northeast, and quite a number of small creeks put in from 
the east and west. Nodaway Branch runs through the southeastern 
corner of the township. 

Several lakes lie along the valley in close proximity to the river, 
two of them being from one-half to three-fourths of a mile in length. 
The face of the township is rather rolling in the northwestern part, 
while the southeastern portion is more level. There is an abundance of 
limestone for building purposes, with some indications of coal. The 
land is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and some of it is exceed- 
ingly fertile. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 175 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

William Broyles was the first settler in the territory now belonging 
to Hopkins Township. He settled on the east side of the Mowery 
Branch in White Oak Grove. The settlement was made in the year 
1843. John Kimball settled two or three years afterward in the forks of 
One Hundred and Two River, about a mile north of where Hopkins is 
now situated. Washington Downing, the next settler, located two miles 
southeast of where Hopkins now stands. David J. Wiet came next, and 
settled three miles southeast of where Hopkins is now situated. James 
Hinckle was the next settler. He opened a claim two miles southeast 
of where Hopkins now stands, on a farm now belonging to G. W. Stur- 
geon. Berry Miller and John Dunkin settled on the same place which 
now belongs to Jesse Crandle. Wm. Cook settled south of Washington 
Downing and opened an adjoining farm. John Elliott took a claim and 
opened a farm in the same neighborhood, but sold it to Wm. Tolliver. 
David Locke settled on a farm south of James Elliott. B. F. Rader 
located on the Mowery Branch, three miles and a half east of the place 
where Hopkins is now situated. Charles Carson settled at the state line 
at the northeast corner of the township. Henry Stine opened a claim 
a little west of Carson's on the line, two miles northeast of the place 
where Hopkins now stands. Edwin Spencer and Mark Murphy settled 
on the state line a little west of Stine's. Isaiah Wilcox opened a farm 
half a mile west of the present site of Hopkins on the banks of the One 
Hundred and Two. Edwin Spencer and Isaiah Wilcox were sons of 
Nimrod, and almost secured their living by fruits of the chase. 

Jefferson Sturgeon settled about two miles south of where Hopkins 
now stands. West of Hopkins, two or three miles, was the Cox settle- 
ment, beginning as early as 1850. Judge Morehouse, at an early date, 
settled about five miles southwest of where Hopkins is now located, and 
Joseph Hall opened a farm in the same neighborhood. Homer Aldridge 
and Augustus Aldridge located in the same neighborhood. 

HOPKINS. 

Hopkins is located one-half mile east of East Fork of the One Hun- 
dred and Two River. It was partially laid out in 1870 and completed 
in the spring of 1871. William Brady, of Jefferson Township, was the 
surveyor. 

The first railroad car came to Hopkins December 12, 1870. The 
town was named in honor of A. L. Hopkins, who was Superintendent of 
the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad when the town 
was located. 



176 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Hopkins was laid out by a company, which consisted of Roseberry 
& Morehouse, the Railroad Company, Col. Strong, of St. Joseph, and S. 
McFarland. 

It was incorporated October 21, 1872. 

The first board of trustees was composed of W. W. Kennison, 
chairman, Judge E. Donlin, William H. Cochrane and B. S. Martin. 
There was one vacancy. 

The first edifice erected in Hopkins was a boarding house, which 
was built by Thos. Gladman. 

Donlin & Bros, were the first business firm in Hopkins. They com- 
menced business in 1871. 

Porter, Girard & Hughes erected a drug store about the same time 
and commenced business. 

Goodsell & Brothers had the first lumber yard. 

Finch & Stone had an agricultural house about the same time. 

Soon after, Mr. Robison erected a building and commenced selling 
dry goods. 

Mr. Linville put up a building in the same block and went into the 
hardware trade. 

Mr. Dobbins, a non-resident, caused a building for a drug store to 
be erected in the same block, and Mr. Latcher was put in charge of it. 

Mr. DeHaven also ran a restaurant in the same block. 

Martin & Stewart also had a grocery store west of the railroad. 

The block spoken of above was on the west side of the railroad, but 
the business, owing to the nearness of the railroad and the liability of 
teams becoming frightened by passing trains, was transferred about this 
time to the east side of the railroad. 

Mr. Edward Wolfers, about this time, erected a brick building on 
the east side of the railroad and went into trade in dry goods and groceries. 

Randolph & Goodsell put up a brick and commenced selling hard- 
ware and furniture. 

C. Martin also opened a hardware store on the east side. 

Mr. Riggs opened a grocery house, but afterward sold out and went 
to California. 

In 1 87 1, William R. Johnston built the Johnston House, on Roseberry 
Street, and commenced keeping hotel. About the same time, Mr. Couch 
commenced building the Hopkins House, but soon sold out to David 
Bender, who continues to keep the hotel. A little later Mr. Kinison 
put up the Central House, and kept it awhile, and sold out. 

The first bank was started by Plants Brothers. 

F. Gladman was the first settler in Hopkins. 

Rev. Mr. Morton, as he was accustomed himself to say, in a humor- 
ous manner, "preached the first sermon, married the first couple and 
traded the first horses in Hopkins." He afterward moved to Kansas. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 77 

A son of Mr. Merrick was the first child born in Hopkins, and the 
Town Company gave him a lot. 

The first school was kept by Miss Emma Rose, from Michigan, and 
she taught an excellent school and gave universal satisfaction. 

The first church was erected by the Methodists, the second by the 
Presbyterians, and the third by the United Brethren, who afterward sold 
their building to the Baptists. 

THE HOPKINS SCHOOLS. 

That the citizens of Hopkins appreciate the value of good schools 
will be apparent to the most casual observer who will take the pains to 
inquire into the history of the growth and development of her educa- 
tional interests. In order that we may the better understand the educa- 
tional spirit of her people, we will go back a few years for the purpose 
of turning a few pages in the records. It is found upon inquiry, that 
before the City of Hopkins was laid out, the residents of what is now 
the Hopkins Independent School District, had erected a building on the 
suburbs of the now flourishing city. We are not advised as to the size 
of said house, but understand it was sufficiently large for the purpose 
intended, and was well furnished — withal a comfortable school building 
— quite pretentious for those days. I have been unable to ascertain the 
names of teachers until Miss Emma Rose, of Wisconsin, wielded the 
birch, metaphysically speaking. I am informed that this was in 1871, 
and is remembered as a successful school. 

After the City of Hopkins was laid out, the inhabitants feeling the 
need of a more commodious building, and desiring to have it more cen- 
trally located, decided to move the house into the block north of the 
Tremont House. An addition was built, thus making two rooms and 
necessitating the services of two teachers. Mr. A. W. Florea, of Adams 
County, Ohio, and Miss Rose, were the teachers elected. The school 
was now, 1872, a fixed institution. Both teachers rendered the best of 
satisfaction and the term was a very profitable one. 

The beautiful young city grew amazingly, so that in the year 1873 
the need of increased and better facilities was felt to such an extent that 
it was determined to build a new house for educational purposes. A 
fine site was selected in the eastern part of the city on what is now 
known as " Science Hill," from which a splendid view may be had of the 
city and much of the surrounding country. The cost of grounds, build- 
ing site, furniture, house, &c, was about $3,000. The rooms were well 
furnished with patent seats, blackboards and other necessary appliances, 
so that everything augured well for a successful series of schools. Prof. 
Florea was elected Principal and Miss Rose, assistant. The school was 

all that could be desired and long strides were taken in the educational 

12 



178 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

field. Mr. Florea was again made principal, but the public sustained a 
great loss in the person of Miss Rose, who is remembered to this day as 
one of the most successful teachers ever in the Hopkins Schools. Her 
place was supplied by Miss Ella Redmond, ef Maryville, who, with Mr. 
Florea taught the next succeeding term. Both schools gave universal 
satisfaction. I have not the exact number of pupils in attendance, at 
hand, but in 1874 there were upwards of 200, (estimated.) 

I have now to deal with the Hopkins Independent School District 
which was organized and established under the new law, on the 17th 
day of October, 1875, as appears from page 9, of the District Records, 
with plat of district annexed. 

It will be observed, that under the new law there are required in 
independent Districts under the control of a corporate administration, 
a board of education composed of six members. The Board at this 
time consisted of the following named gentlemen, viz : Luther Stewart, 
President ; Geo. H. Hotaling, Secretary ; John A. Stewart, Treasurer ; 
Harry Meyers, Philip Dale and S. W. Gerard. I have now reliable data 
at hand and find from an inspection of the records that the Board were 
obliged to rent a room and to secure three teachers for the ensuing 
year. The Board was peculiarly fortunate in securing the services of 
Prof. L. E. Wolf, of Atchison, Kansas, as principal. Misses Anna Jack- 
son and Kate Stewart were the assistant teachers. The school com- 
menced October 4th, 1875, for a term of five months and ended Feb. 6th, 
1876. Prof. Wolf did all that was expected of him and the youth of the 
fair young city made marked progress under his able instruction. 

He is remembered by many of our best citizens as a courteous, affa- 
ble gentleman, of splendid abilities, and as a teacher he was thoroughly- 
alive to his work. The number of persons in the district of school age, 
was, as appears from the enumeration returns made May 1, 1876, as 
follows: Males, white, 141; colored, 2; total males, 143. Females, 
white, 146. Total number of persons in the district between the ages 
of 5 and 21 years, 289. From the records it is found that of this num- 
ber there were in attendance at the several schools, males, white, 123 ; 
colored, 1; total males, 124. Females, white, 106. Total number 
attending the public schools of the city, 230. Total number days 
attendance of all children, 13,894. Average number days per child, 60. 

Value of property owned by the district, including building and 
furniture, $3,419. In consequence of an election a new board was 
organized September 13, 1876. S. W. Gerard, President; George H. 
Hotaling, Secretary ; John A. Stewart, Treasurer ; Harry Meyers, 
Philip Dale and Luther Stewart. 

The teachers this year were : Miss Mary J. Latschar, principal, 
and Misses Anna Jackson and Abbie Stewart, assistants. Miss Kate 
Stewart succeeded Miss Jackson December 4, 1876. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 79 

From what has been ascertained it does not appear that the schools 
this year were quite so satisfactory as heretofore, but nevertheless they 
were quite successful. The above mentioned term was of six months 
duration, commencing September 11, 1876, and closing March 9, 1877. 

The records show that on the first day of May, 1877, there were in 
the district, of the requisite school age, males, white, 151 ; colored, 1 ; 
total, 152. Females, white, 163 ; colored, 1 ; total females, 164. Total 
number in the district entitled to school privileges, 317. 

Of this number there were attending school during tho year males, 
white, 1 10; colored, I; total males, III. Females, white, 120; total, 
231. Total number of days attendance of all childern, .15,362. Aver- 
age number of days attendance of each child, 66.\. 

It is worthy of note that, during the year, the snug little sum of 
$800.00 was paid out for improvements. At this time the value of school 
property owned by the district was $3,214.00. Rate per cent, levied for 
school purposes, $1.80. 

It will be seen by comparing the values of school property for the 
years 1876 and 1877, that the value of 1877 was $205.00 less than in i8j6. 

How this could occur when $800.00 were expended in making 
improvements, does not seem to be very clear. 

The above figures are taken from the district records for the years 
named, and if explanations are called for, it would be well for the proper 
parties to respond. My solution of the problem— for problem it is — is 
the depreciation of values. 

By this time, many of the pupils had made that advancement in their 
studies that called for something beyond that usually taught in the com- 
mon schools. Accordingly, the board on June 4, 1877, ordered the fol- 
lowing branches introduced, viz : Algebra, U. S. History, Higher Arith- 
metic, Philosophy and Physiology. For sometime, the rooms had been 
filled to overflowing, and, as has been remarked, a room had been rented 
for the use of the Primary Department. 

But as this method was not productive of very satisfactory results, 
the question of building an addition to the main building began to be 
freely discussed. Finally, the board, deeming it imperative that something 
should be done in order to secure the requisite accommodations and to 
make them permanent, decided to build a suitable room or rooms imme- 
diately adjoining the (then) present building. This conclusion was 
reached at a meeting of the board on June 4, 1877. Plans and speci- 
fications having been previously furnished, the contract was let to Mr. 
M. H. Gladman, of Hopkins, on the 18th of June, 1877 — ne giving bond 
in the sum of $1,500.00, with M. H. Gladman, W. H. Jackson, D. Crenk- 
lan, G. A. Dawes, A. V. Stewart, C. S. Martin, Henry Schmitt, James 
Ewing, Hiram Stanker, A. S. DeHaven, L. Durant and W. H. Cochran, 
as securities. 



l8o HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The board appointed as a building committee P. Dale, Luther Stew- 
art and John A. Stewart. As the main building needed repairing, Mr. 
Gladman was awarded the contract of shingling the west side of same 
and repairing the belfry for the sum of $55.00. 

Upon canvassing the election returns it was found that a majority 
of twenty-one taxpayers voted for an increase of levy from four mills to 
ten mills, for school purposes, and the same was ordered as a basis of 
estimate for the coming school year. It was also ascertained that over 
a two-thirds majority of all voters was in favor of a tax of five mills on 
the assessed valuation for building purposes, which was ordered, and the 
annual estimate made and approved by the board. July 21st, S. H. 
Spencer was elected principal, and Misses Abbie Stewart, Alice George 
and Minnie Whittington assistants. School opened September 10, 1877, 
and closed March 8, 1878. Length of term six months. 

The following figures show significant facts : 

Number of children in the district of school age, May I, 1878, males, 
(white), 153; colored, I. Total, 154. Females (white), 172. Total 
number in the district, 326. Number of children attending school, 
males (white), 118; colored, 1. Females (white), 144. Total number in 
attendance, 263. 

Total number days attendance of all scholars, 22,692. Average 
number days per child, 80. Rate per cent, levied on valuation of prop- 
erty, $2.00. Value of property owned by district, $4,600.00. A period 
was now reached which had never been attained before. The history of 
her schools shows them to be a grand success, if we except a few short- 
comings in the year 1876. The district had incurred heavy expense in 
constructing new buildings, fence, sidewalks, etc. A course of study 
was adopted, another teacher employed more than before, and every- 
thing placed on a firm footing. It was hoped that this would prove the 
most signally successful year of any, but the high hopes and anticipa- 
tions of the board and patrons were destined to fall most ingloriously. 
A want of harmony and united action, two essential elements of success, 
were wanting, and on March 15, 1878, Mr. Spencer was requested to 
vacate his position by sending in his resignation, which he did, and 
which was promptly accepted. Miss George also resigned at the same 
time. Mr. A. W. Florea and Miss Belle Stewart were employed to com- 
plete the unexpired term, which was in the main very successful. At the 
annual election of April 6, 1878, a new board was elected, viz : R. M. 
Simmons, President; E. C. Wolfers, Secretary; Wash Downing, Treas- 
urer; P. Dale. H. McCoy and H. C. Fleming. The new board was made 
up of men of sterling character, who were determined to leave nothing 
undone that would tend to advance the educational interests of the city 
to their old time prestige. The first thing that occupied their attention 
was the securing of a competent corps of teachers. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. l8l 

June 28, 1878, Professor D. L. Chaney, of Lenox, Iowa, was elected 
principal, with R. H. Straub, Miss Ellen Ruttenbur and Miss Maggie 
Evans, assistants. Upon Mr. Chaney assuming the principalship, he 
inspected the buildings and grounds, and by his recommendation the 
black board surfaces were enlarged, so that all the available space in the 
rooms was covered with liquid slating. This was a move in the right 
direction, as it gave the teacher increased facilities. At his request a 
well was dug, and pump placed in it ; also, a new sidewalk laid from the 
school house to connect with the main walk leading to the city. Fences 
were repaired and other necessary minor improvements made. From 
this time a new era dates in the history of the Hopkins Schools, as under 
the able direction of Professor Chaney, they assumed that position in the 
educational world, which placed them, at that time, in the van of all the 
schools in the county. 

The revulsion of feeling from that of indifference as to the character 
of her schools, to that of a well defined interest in their welfare, was 
slow, but sure, so that at the close of that year the Hopkins Schools 
ranked second to none in Northwest Missouri. The High school was 
graced by the presence of quite a number of young men and ladies from 
the country, who were seeking to " climb up higher." The term was of 
six months duration, and at its termination Professor Chaney opened a 
select school, which was very successful. 

March 19, 1879, the levy was raised from four tenths of one per cent, 
to one per cent, and on the 3d of April the board reorganized, with R. 
M. Simmons, president ; P. Dale, secretary, and Wash Downing, treas- 
urer. Twenty-five hundred dollars of bonds had matured, and on the 
22d of May the same amount of refunding bonds were issued to liqui- 
date the out-standing matured bonds. Said refunding bonds were to 
bear six per centum per annum, and not to be discounted more than one- 
fourth per cent. 

At the same time Prof. Chaney was granted the use of the building 
for six weeks to hold a Normal school, which was a pronounced success 
from the start. Many teachers and many preparing to engage in the 
profession attended. 

The enumeration of 1879 showed the number of males (white), 153 ; 
females (white), 170. Total number in the district, 323. Number 
attending schools, males, 125; females, 115. Total, 240. Total number 
of days attendance of all children, 21,210; average number of days 
attendance of each child, SSh- The same good sense which had char- 
acterized the retiring board attended their successors above named. 
Therefore, for the year 1879 they were prompt to again secure Mr. 
Chaney as principal, Mr. H. W. Hull, of Hopkins, succeeded Mr. Straub 
in the grammar department, Miss Flora Maxwell, of Clarinda, Iowa, suc- 
ceeded Miss Ruttenbur, and Miss Evans was re-elected. It was felt all 



1 82 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 

along that the term of six months was entirely too short, and in order to 
increase it a proposition was submitted and carried on the 22d of April 
to increase the levy sixty cents on the one hundred dollars. The school 
of that year was much like that of the preceding year as to results, 
unless there was increased confidence felt in teachers and board. Prof. 
Chaney was again re-elected principal, with Mr. George E. Flemming, 
of Oberlin, Ohio, teacher in grammar school, Miss Maxwell again held 
sway in the second intermediate department, and Miss Evans was 
retained in the primary department. Owing to ill health, Miss Maxwell 
resigned her position December 13, 1880. On January 3, 1881, Mrs. R. 
H. Shadrick, of Kansas City, was named as her successor. For this 
year the schools were not only the pride of Hopkins and the county, but 
they had attained that position in the educational world entitling them 
to be ranked second to none. A great work was done during the year, 
many non-resident pupils attended, most of whom pursued a course in 
the higher branches ; not a few of them were teachers, some coming from 
adjoining counties. At the close of the spring term in June, the pupils 
and teachers met in their respective rooms, and at about 9:30 A. M> 
repaired to Kennedy's Park, which lies in the northwest suburbs of the 
city, marching down the western hillside through the streets of the city, 
and thence to the park, being preceded by the Hopkins Cornet Band, 
which furnished excellent music for the occasion. In the afternoon 
many of the prominent business men of the city lent their presence, 
closing their respective places of business for that purpose. This little 
incident is mentioned to show that a deep interest was felt by the patrons. 

In April, 188 1, F. A. Buck and Jacob Speidel were elected members 
of the board to succeed H. C. Fleming and Wash Downing. The board 
organized with R. M. Simmons, president ; F. A. Buck, secretary, and 
P. Dale, treasurer. The tax was increased twenty cents on the one hun- 
dred dollars, and the term was increased from four to nine months, by 
reason of a proposition having been submitted and carried to that effect. 
The returns for 1880 show the number of children to be, males, 167; 
females, 188. Total, 355. The records do not show the number in 
attendance, but the teachers' reports at one time gave the number in 
attendance as being 297, which undoubtedly is correct. 

At the regular meeting of the board, held in Dale & Jeffers' office, 
June 7, 1881, the following described bonds were canceled and burned in 
the presence of R. M. Simmons, P. Dale, E. C. Wolfers, H. McCoy, Jacob 
Speidel and F. A. Buck, members of the board, and T. W. Porter and H. 
C. Fleming, witnesses, viz.: 

Bond No. 1, of five hundred ($500) dollars, dated July 1, 1873, and 
due July I, 1878. 

Bond No. 4, of five hundred ($500) dollars, dated July 1, 1873, and 
due July I, 1878. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 83 

Bond No. 5, of five hundred ($500) dollars, dated July 1, 1873, an d 
due July I, 1878. 

More room being required, the furnishing committee contracted for 
the Austin building for school purposes. For the year 188 1, the follow- 
ing named teachers were employed : Prof. D. L. Chaney, Principal ; 
George E. Flemming, Grammar School ; Miss M. Ellie Dale, First Inter- 
mediate Department ; Miss Maggie Evans, Second Intermediate Depart- 
ment ; and Miss Ella A. Glass, Primary Department. 

The number of persons of school age in the district May 1st, as 
gleaned from the returns found in the records, was, in round numbers, 
424. The number in attendance, average attendance, for the year 1881, 
cannot be furnished, as they, the returns, will not be completed until 
May, 1882. That the schools will be fully up to the prescribed standard 
of excellence during the year 188 1, there is no reason to doubt. 

To conclude with, Hopkins has an able and efficient corps of teach- 
ers and appreciative students, and that the high position she now holds 
may be maintained in the future is the wish of the citizens of the beauti- 
ful young city and of the public in general. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Methodist Episcopal Circuit of Hopkins was organized in 18 — . 
The names of the original members were as follows: Samuel McFarland 
and wife, Speidel and family, T. M. Cole and wife, John Townsand and 
wife, Rev. Jesse Herbert and family, J. B. Townsand and wife, E. V. 
Willard and family, John Lytle and family, Robert Hook and wife, N. H. 
Herbert and wife, and Margaret Boatman. 

The church has been supplied by the following pastors : William 
Early, 1871-2 ; E. V. Roof, 1873 4-5 ; Isaac Chivington, 1876; Robert 
Devlin, 1877-78, and John Moorhead, the present pastor. 

The church, 32x50, was erected in 1872, at a cost of $2,000. 

The present membership is about sixty. In the Sabbath School 
there are 125 on the roll, and an average attendance of seventy-five. 
Mr. Moorhead has three other regular classes outside of Hopkins, 
and spends half his time in supplying them. The present church 
edifice is worth about $2,500. The church has had some revivals, and is 
in a fair condition. Mr. Moorhead is now finishing his third year in 
Hopkins. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

During the early growth of Hopkins there arrived, from the east 
and north, a number of families, who had been reared in Presbyterian 
and Congregational Churches. These, for a time, worshipped with the 
Methodists, who early held services and erected a house of worship in 



184 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the village. As their number increased, it was thought best to organize 
themselves into a church for the purpose of securing services after their 
own order. 

With this object in view, Rev. E. B. Sherwood, of St. Joseph, Mis- 
sionary of the Presbytery of Platte, having been informed of these facts, 
wrote desiring to know if it was their wish that he should visit the place, 
and if the way was clear, to organize a church. Receiving an affirm- 
ative reply, he came to Hopkins, and two days were spent in canvassing 
the town, and obtaining the names of those who desired an organiza- 
tion. On the first Sabbath day of May, 1873, the sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper was administered according to the Presbyterian form, 
and notice was given that on Saturday, May 31st, those who desired to- 
enter into covenant relations should meet to present their letters or be 
examined preparatory to a public profession of their faith. On Friday, 
May 30th, Mr. Sherwood again visited Hopkins, and on that evening a 
prayer meeting was held, and on Saturday the meeting previously 
announced took place. There were present Rev. E. B. Sherwood, 
assisted by Elders George H. Hotaling, of Bedford, Iowa, and John M. 
Bell, of Maryville. 

At that meeting the following persons presented letters which, 
being found in order, were received : George H. Hotaling and Mrs. 
Mildred Hotaling, Wm. K. Adams and Mrs. Mary Adams, Mrs. Clarissa 
Bradley, Mrs. Jennie Heald, Mrs. Martha A. Walters, John W. Walker, 
Mrs. Mary E. Martin, Henry P. Dryden and Mrs. Sarah L. Dryden, 
David L. Latschar, Mrs. Sarah Bender, Mrs. Mary Green. Mr. Mark 
B. Bradley was examined and received on profession of faith. 

On Sunday, June 1, 1873, the organization of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Hopkins was consummated. At this time George H. Hot- 
aling and William K. Adams were elected ruling elders, and David L. 
Latschar and H. P. Dryden, deacons. From the time of its organiza- 
tion till January, 1874, Rev. E. B. Sherwood continued to act as stated 
supply. During this period bi-monthly services were held in the M. E_ 
Church. It being thought that the work could be more effectively per- 
formed, Union Hall was secured as a place of worship, and was so occu- 
pied until the completion of their first house of worship, which was 
entered and used for the first time on the first Sabbath of January, 
1876. 

From the close of Mr. Sherwood's services until April, 1874, the 
church was without a pastor. During this time, however, regular services 
were maintained, a sermon being read every Sabbath by Elder W. K. 
Adams. 

At this time the services of Rev. A. D. Workman, of Maryville, were 
secured, and he continued to preach twice each month till, on the first 
Sabbath of July, Rev. W. H. Ilsley entered upon his work. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 185 

During the spring of 1875, a subscription paper was circulated with 
a view to the erection of a church building, and a sufficient amount was 
raised to warrant the commencement of the work. The foundation of a 
house, 28x50 feet, was laid, but owing to the stringency of the times and 
the visitation of the grasshoppers, the work was delayed for a time. It 
was not resumed till the next fall, when it was taken up, and the building 
completed and furnished, at a cost of $2,400, $700 of which was received 
from the Board of Church Erection. The plan of the house was drawn 
by George H. Hotaling, one of the elders, and the house was built by 
Mr. L. D. Eversole, a member of the church. 

The church has a good Sabbath School and a fair Sabbath School 
library. The church is now in a good condition, and has done a good 
work in Hopkins and vicinity. 

Rev. William C. Smith has been engaged to supply the church for 
six months, and enters upon his work with every prospect of success. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The First Baptist Church, of Hopkins, was organized on Saturday 
before the 3d Sabbath in May, 1877. The names of original members 
were, Geo. W. Sturgeon, Margaret Sturgeon, Obadiah Sturgeon, Julia 
Ann Sturgeon, Jeptha Sturgeon, Lucinda Sturgeon, Marion Sturgeon, 
Josephine Sturgeon, John M. Sturgeon, Thomas R. Sturgeon, Margareta 
Sturgeon, Martha A. Downing, E. B. Yeomans, Sarah J. Yeomans, Jesse 
Godsey, E. S. Godsey, Elizabeth Godsey, John W. Jones and Nancy 
Jones. The church was bought from U. B. Brethern at $400.00, and is- 
a frame building. It was dedicated by Brother H. J. Latour. Names 
of pastors : First, Joseph Yates ; second, H. J. Latour; A. M. Wallace, 
pastor at this time. Number of present membership, 40. 

The church had not been recognized by brethren from sister 
churches until the April meeting, 1879. The church holds her member- 
ship with the Northwestern Association at this time. 

XENIA LODGE, NO. 50, A. F. & A. M. 

Xenia Lodge commenced work under a dispensation granted by the 
Grand Lodge oi Missouri at its 45th Grand Communication, in October, 
1865. The dispensation was dated October 16th, 1865, and signed by 
John D. Vincil, Grand Master of Missouri. 

The officers named in it were, N. Goslee, W. M.; E. Van Buren, S. 
W. and Washington Downing, J. W. 

The organization was designated as Xenia Lodge, but at the next 
annual communication of the Grand Lodge the dispensation was sur- 
rendered and a charter ordered, at which time the Lodge was designated 



1 86 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

by the name of Xenia, and the No. 50 affixed by the Grand Secretary. 
The charter was dated June 2d, 1866, and signed by John D. Vincil, 
Grand Master, and four other grand officers. 

Xenia Lodge, at its organization, was the third lodge in the county, 
and its jurisdiction extended north, east and west about twelve miles. 
Though its membership was small, yet in infancy it took due caution to 
select the best men for its followers, and thereby grew and prospered 
until May 27, 1871, when it was thought best by a majority of its mem- 
bers to erect a new hall, and at its completion, June 2, 1 87 1 , the Grand 
Master of Missouri granted it permission to move to its new hall at 
Hopkins, Missouri, it being within its present local jurisdiction, and 
June 24, 1 87 1, Xenia Lodge No. 50 was removed from Xenia to its new- 
hall, and the hall dedicated in due and ancient form, Brother Ephraim 
Myers, D. D. G. M., acting as grand master on the occasion. The. pres- 
ent membership numbers sixty. The present officers are as follows : 

John Donlin, W. M.; J. S. Anderson, S. W.; C. Mooter, J. W.; T. 
W. Porter, Treasurer ; H. M. Austin, Secretary ; E. B. Yeoman, S. D.; 
W. H. Cochrane, J. D.; A. Watson, S. S.; H. Caudle, J. S.; M. A. 
Hamm, Tyler. 

The lodge meets the first Saturday of each month. The lodge 
owns a fine hall, and has between $400 and $500 surplus in the treasury. 
The following is a list of its Past Masters: N. Goslee, G.W. Pistole, 
John Donlin, A. C. Kennedy, H. McCoy, R. Terrill. 

HOPKINS LODGE NO. 333, I. O. O. F. 

This lodge was organized April 7, 1875, and the charter granted 
May 20, 1875. The following are the names of its charter members : 

J. L. Anderson, G. W. Wilcox, J. A. Worth, H. Lowery, J. M. Pierce, 

E. A. Bugbee, M. S. Arnold, Cyrus White, Harvey Moorehouse, Stanton 
Hook, William Herbert, C. Green, W. H. Sutherland, H. C. Fleming, J. 

F. Randolph. 

The following are the names of its first officers : J. L. Anderson, N. 
G.; H. Lowery, V. G.; J. A. Worth, R. S.; G. W. Wilcox, Treasurer ; J. 
M. Pierce, P. S.; N. S. Arnold, Conductor; H. C. Fleming, Warden ; S. 
Hook, R. S. N. G.; H. Sutherland, L. S. N. G.; C. White, L. S. N. G.; C. 
E. Green, I. G.; H. Moorehouse, O. G.; William M. Herbert, R. S. S. 

The present membership numbers fifty-two. The lodge is growing, 
having gained twelve members the past year, and is in good condition. 

The following are the names of Past Grands up to the present time ; 

G. W. Wilcox, H. Lowery, P. Dale, J. L. Anderson, J. D. Randolph, W, 
H. Sutherland, H. M. Austin, R. P. Johnson, G. T. Tibbetts and M. H. 
Gladman. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 87 

The Odd Fellows' Hall Association, composed of members of the 
order exclusively, are erecting a fine hall on Barnard Street, in the brick 
block over E. C. Wolfer's grocery store to be used for lodge purposes. 
The cost will be about $2,000. 

HOPKINS LODGE OF ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

This lodge was organized August 1, 1879, with the following char- 
ter members : H. Lowery, J. A. Stewart, A. S. DeHaven, M. E. Byers, 
John Donlin, A. F. Malott, Wm. Hughes, A. Watson, E. F. Gaynor, J. 
W. Waddill and P. Dale. The present membership numbers twenty-one. 
The lodge is in a prosperous condition. It meets the first and third 
Wednesday nights of each month. 

HOPKINS LODGE I. O. G. T., NO. 41O. 

This lodge was organized November 16, 1880, with about seventy 
charter members. The present membership number seventy-four. The 
lodge is in good condition and has done a good work in the temperance 
cause in Hopkins and vicinity. Many men will look back to this lodge 
as having rescued them from a drunkard's grave. The following are the 
names of its first officers : P. Dale, W. C. T.; Eva Johnson, W. V. T.; 
E. Griffin, Chaplain ; Mrs. S. DeHaven, Secretary ; S. K. Ray, Financial 
Secretary ; E. C. Wolfers, Treasurer ; Levi Grate, Marshal ; R. Boat- 
man, I. G.; Frank Drumm, O. G.; J. F. Randolph, P. W. C. T.; H. M. 
Austin, L. D. 

BANK OF HOPKINS, 

was organized in 1873, by Goodsill Brothers and F. Dunning. They 
carried on the business until 1877, when a joint stock company was 
formed, with Alexander Goodsill as president and Edward Donlin cash- 
ier. In July, 1877, W. Dunning became president, which position he 
still holds. J. C. Powell superceded Donlin as cashier in July, 1877, and 
in January, 1880, he was superceded by C. W. Taylor, who fills the position 
now (1881). The bank has a capital of $15,000, with a surplus of $5,000. 
Although a stock company, it is not an incorporated bank. The stock- 
holders are large real estate owners. 

The Hopkins Town Company was incorporated on the 31st of 
December, 1870. The stock of the company was placed at $18,000, the 
names of the corporators and the amounts of their respective holdings 
being as follows : A. L. Hopkins, $6,000 ; Samuel McFarland, $3,000 ; 
Albert P. Morehouse, $3,000 ; Matthew G. Roseberry, $3,000 ; James 
W. Strong, $3,000. Mr. McFarland was the first and only president, and 
Mr. Moorehouse the first secretary. The stock is now practically all held 
toy Mr. McFarland, and Mr. Alex Grant, the present secretary. 



1 88 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

HOPKINS CORNET BAND. 

The first band was organized in February, 1874, with the players 
mentioned below : Leader, J. F. Randolph, first E/? cornet ; Harry 
Myers, second Kb cornet ; C. F. Markley, first Bfr cornet ; C. Riggs, sec- 
ond B& cornet ; Dr. Wm. Hughes, first alto ; H. Sutherland, second 
alto ; C. S. Martin, tenor ; John Donlin, baritone ; Ham McCoy, tuba ; 
A. S. Bender, snare drum ; Jacob Lovden, bass drum and cymbals. 
This band became one of the best in the west, and sent out one of the 
best cornet players in the United States — Charles Riggs. He has been 
traveling some three years, and is now in California. 

In 1878, all the members except four withdrew, and a new band was 
organized — the present one — with the following members : Leader, C. 
F. Markley, solo Bfr cornet ; Harry Myers, first E£ cornet ; Frank 
Dunn, second E& cornet ; J. C. Stewart, second Bfr cornet ; L. G. New, 
first alto ; W. Moorehead, second alto ; S. K. Wray, third alto ; A. J. 
Roof, tenor ; George Shaw, baritone ; Jacob Lovden, tuba ; Frank 
New, snare drum ; George Ewing, bass drum and cymbals. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Austin, H. M., restaurant. 
Bender & Sutherland, Hopkins House. 
Blair, James A., stock yard and stock dealer. 
Blain, J. A., stock dealer. 
Brainard, Mr., feed stable. 
Bram, William, insurance agent. 
Buck, F. A., artist. 
Bush, F. D., stock yards. 
Burch, E. M., stock dealer. 
Crinklaw, D., agricultural implements. 
Cochrum, W. H., house painter. 

Chaney, D. L., county superintendent of schools and principal of 
schools. 

Donlin, Ed., insurance agent. 

Donlin Bros., general merchandise. 

Dale, P., county judge, lumber. 

Downing, W., president bank. 

Derrickson, David, barber. 

Dawes, G. A., physician. 

Dale, Fred., city clerk. 

Downing, W., stock yards. 

Frayne & Jeffers, hardware and furniture. 

Frazier, Chas., house painter. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 89 

Gladman, N. H., insurance agent. 

Goodsill Bros., lumber. 

Gerard, S. W., druggist and physician. 

Goodson, P. D., physician. 

Gladman, M. H., contractor and builder. 

Grant, Alexander, attorney at law. 

Grant, Alexander, superintendent rock quarry. 

Herbert & Somers, groceries. 

Hawkins, Mrs. S. S., millinery. 

Hepburn, Thomas, harness maker. 

Hansley, Harry, shoemaker. 

Hughes, W. C, physician. 

Hamm, M. A., livery. 

House & Blain, livery. 

Hicks, H., grain merchant. 

Herbert, C. H., house plasterer. 

Johnson. R. P., general merchandise. 

Jackson Bros., mills. 

Knox, Mrs., Tremont House. 

Kennedy, A. C, depot agent. 

Lowery, Harmon, druggist. 

Lucas, A. G., editor Hopkins Journal. 

Luse, Riley, jewelry. 

Lytle, George, stock dealer. 

Markley, C. F., leader Hopkins brass band. 

McCasham, John, carpenter. 

McCoy, H., stock dealer. 

Martin, C. S., hardware and furniture. 

Monroe, A. C, groceries. 

Mclntyre, Chas., restaurant. 

Moorehead, Rev, John, pastor M. E. Church. 

McFarland, Samuel, president Hopkins Town Company. 

Malott, D., 1 lacksmith. 

McCashum, Mrs. John., millinery. 

Nixon, John, grain merchant. 

Norman, W. P., jeweler. 

Nurry, Jer., blacksmith. 

Olmstead, Mrs. J. W., millinery. 

Olmstead, John W., sewing machine agent. 

Porter, T. W., postmaster, books and stationery. 

Pennington, George, tinner. 

Pierce, J. N., editor Hopkins Journal. 

Pennington, J. R., wagon maker. 

Randolph, J. F. & Co., hardware, furniture and undertakers. 



190 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



Roper, Harry P., shoemaker. 

Rusing, William, barber. 

Somers, E. W., attorney at law. 

Strawn, N., blacksmith. 

Sargent, D. A., physician. 

Stouder, Son & Co., general merchandise. 

Shackelford, Swain & Co., clothing. 

Slanker, H., meat market. 

Strain, Josiah, mayor. 

Stewart, Mrs. L., millinery. 

Steward, A. V., wagon maker. 

Stewart, John A., harness maker. 

Taylor, C. W., clothing. 

Worley, George, city express. 

Wolfers, E. C, general merchandise. 

Watson & Wray, agricultural implements. 

Woodridge, B., clothing. 

Wilfley, R. H., city attorney. 

Welch, B. J. & Co., grain merchants. 

Welch, B. J., elevator. 

Wilcox, George W., contractor and builder. 

Wooldridge, — , stock dealer. 

Young, W. H., groceries. 

Yourkman, J. H., carpenter. 




CHAPTER XIII 

HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 



ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES-E\RLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES -PATRONS OF HUS- 
BANDRY—GRAHAM—BUSINESS DIRECTORY-SECRET ORDERS. 

BOUNDARY. 

At the April Special Term, 1845, the following order of court 
appears, establishing Hughes Township : 

" All that territory within the following limits shall be called and 
known by the name of Hughes Township, to wit : 

Beginning at the southwest corner of Atchison Township ; thence 
southward on the line dividing Nodaway County from Atchison and 
Holt Counties to the southern boundary of Nodaway County. Thence 
east on the line dividing Nodaway and Andrew Counties to the divide 
between Nodaway River and White Cloud. Thence north on said 
divide till it intersects Atchison Township." 

The court, June 14th, 1866, passed an order defining the bounds of 
Hughes Township, as follows : 

" Commencing at the northeast corner of section 15, township 63, 
range 36 ; thence west between sections 10 and 15,9 and 16 to the north- 
west corner of section 16, township 63, range 36 ; thence north between 
sections 8 and 9 to the northeast corner of section 8 ; thence west be- 
tween 5 and 8, 6 and 7, township 63, range 36, and sections 1 and 12, 2 
and 11, 3 and 10, 4 and 9, 5 and 8, 6 and 7, township 63, range 37, and 
sections 1 and 12, 2 and 11, 3 and 10, township 63, range 38, to the 
northwest corner of section io, township 63, range 38 ; thence south in 
the center of section and west of county line between sections 9 and 10. 
16 and 15, 21 and 22, to the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of 
section 22 ; thence east on the center line dividing sections 22, 23 and 
24, township 63, range 36, and sections 19, 20 and 21, to the Nodaway 
River, township 63, range ^J ; thence meandering with the east bank of 
said river south to near the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of 
section 35, township 62, range 37 ; thence east on the south line of said 
county to the southeast corner of section 34, township 62, range 36 : 
thence north on section line between sections 34 and 35, 26 and 27, 22 



I92 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

and 23, 14 and 15, 10 and II, 2 and 3, township 62, range 36, and sections 
34 and 35, 20 and 27, 14 and 15, to the northeast corner of section 15, 
township 6}, range 36, to the place of beginning." 

Subsequently Monroe Township was formed out of territory which 
'originally belonged to Hughes and Green Townships. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Hughes Township is well watered by several creeks whose general 
bearings are from the northeast toward the southwest, all of them emp- 
tying into the Nodaway River. The names of these creeks, as we pass 
from the south towards the north, are as follows : Halifax, Rain Creek, 
Elkhorn, McDowell Branch and Bagley Branch. Wolf Hollow emp- 
ties into the Elkhorn and runs toward the northwest, and the Little 
Elkhorn runs into the Elkhorn. 

The land of Hughes Township, forming a portion of the eastern val- 
ley of the Nodaway River, rises with a gentle slope as we pass eastward 
from the -river, with a slight inclination toward the north, and is quite 
rolling. The river is fringed with beautiful groves along the valley, 
and some picturesque spurs covered with timber or brush set back for 
some distance from the river, making a scene, as one descends into the 
valley toward the west, of unusual beauty. 

The soil of the township is a rich vegetable mold resting on a sub- 
soil in which the Loess of the bluff formation is about equally inter- 
mixed with the usual clay subsoil of the county. This combination 
makes an excellent soiL being light and easily worked, and so porous 
that water rarely stands upon it, yet possessing such power of capillary 
attraction that it is not materially affected by drouth. 

Hughes Township presents unusual attractions to the farmer, the 
Tiorticulturist and to the stock grower. The natural resources are abund- 
ant, nothing seeming to have been left out that can contribute to the 
comfort of man. The soil is rich and deep, the country is well watered 
by streams, springs burst out of the hillsides, excellent well water is 
found twelve to fifty feet deep ; there is an abundance of excellent tim- 
ber, coal outcrops in veins, there are fine stone quarries of both lime- 
stone and freestone, and there is a beauty in the landscape and a pastoral 
loveliness to the scene quite charming to the observer. All the cereals 
of the Upper Missouri Valley flourish, and the grasses are luxuriant. 
Farmers have reported as high an average as 108 bushels of corn to the 
acre by actual measurement. Improved grades of cattle and sheep have 
been introduced. The first short horn bull ever shown at the Nodaway 
County Fair was exhibited by Mr. H. C. Linville, who resides near Gra- 
ham. The farmers have an air of contentment about their comfortable 
homes that seems to say that "their lines have fallen to them in pleas- 
ant places, and they have a goodly heritage." 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 193 

There is a tradition that the Elkhorn derived its name from the fol- 
lowing circumstance connected with pioneer life : It seems that a man 
killed an elk near Graham, stopped, built a fire and cooked some of the 
meat. The horns of the elk being very large, he cut off the elk's head, 
and hung the horns on or set them up by a tree, where they remained 
for a long time. The place becoming known as the Elkhorn, the name 
was afterward naturally given to the creek that flowed near by. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first white man to locate in Hughes Township, and in fact to 
settle in the County of Nodaway, was Isaac Hogan, to whom we have 
already referred in our chapter on " Early Settlements." We take the 
following from the admirable address of Dr. J. W. Morgan, delivered at 
Graham on July 4, 1879 : 

During the fall of 1841, Lorenzo Dow Vinsonhaler left Ross County, 
Ohio, for the purpose of finding a home in the West. Some tim^ dur- 
ing the fall following, he, in company with Harvey Dillon, found the 
Nodaway Valley, and took claims on the east side of the Nodaway 
River. Dillon selected the fine land now owned and cultivated by 
Lewis Anders. He remained there for a number of years ; built a log 
cabin, broke and fenced some prairie. Having brought some apple seeds 
with him, he started a seedling nursery and put out an orchard, num- 
bering, perhaps, two hundred trees, which has for a number of years 
been bearing delicious fruit. He sold his land to Finley McCrary, of 
Highland, Kansas. Dillon's whereabouts are to us unknown. Dow Vin- 
sonhaler laid claim to the tract of land now owned by Judge Wm. 
Seeper. This was a choice selection. He built a house, and the follow- 
ing season broke and fenced a considerable amount of land, and raised 
a crop of corn. Here he remained for a few years, and then sold out 
and accompanied John C. Fremont's explorers to California; was lost 
in the mountains for a great while, where many of the party perished 
from cold and hunger; their supplies being exhausted, they lived on the 
flesh of mules that had frozen to death, or died from starvation. He 
accompanied Fremont to Washington City, and was a witness in his 
behalf in an investigation ordered by the authorities at Washington 
during President Polk's administration. His testimony relieved General 
Fremont from censure. He afterward returned to California, where Iris 
eyes were closed in death many years ago. 

Sometime during the fall of 1840, Elijah Bunten, James Bryant and 
Harvey White explored the White Cloud country and took claims. In 
those days all that was necessary to be the owner of a tract of land as 
large as one desired, was to lay claim to it ; the manner of procuring a 
title in fee simple was to cut down four trees and chop them off and lay 



194 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the foundation for a house. Whether the cabin was ever completed or 
not, it constituted a claim that all honorable men respected. In the 
mind of the pioneer, any man who would attempt to intrude, or, as they 
termed it, "jump a claim," was looked upon as a thief. 

Elijah Bunten was a professional claim-taker. The first claim he 
selected was on the west side of White Cloud ; his claim included all 
timber land on that side of the creek. He built a log cabin near where 
the residence of Marion Woodard now stands, cleared off a few acres of 
timber, and raised a crop or two of corn ; meantime he took additional 
claims, some on the Nodaway River, one on the head of the Florida, 
with the center on the tract of land now owned and cultivated by Judge 
Solomon Shell. In the fall of 1840, he sold his claim on the White 
Cloud to Mijamin Byers, and built a cabin on Florida Creek. 

Bunten was an energetic fellow, and, when he had disposed of his 
interest in one part of the country, he made it his business to attract 
attention away from it, and center it at his claim. Soon after leaving 
White Cloud, Burt Whitten passed his cabin and inquired the way to 
White Cloud. Bunten knew all about it, but advised him to stop there 
and buy his claim. Whitten asked him what kind of a country White 
Cloud was. His answer was, " It's a d — d broken, barren, fertile coun- 
try." When asked what he meant by fertile, he said : " Fertile— that 
means a d — d long way from market." 

Whitten changed his programme, and bought a claim consisting of 
all the timber land on the head of the Florida, which was for many years- 
afterward known as Whitten Grove. 

Bunten moved to Oregon soon after, where he engaged in the claim 
business. He died there in 1869. 

Harvey White, a son-in-law of Bunten, pitched his tent on the land 
now owned by Richard Boatwright, some seven miles south and a little 
west of Maryville. There he remained for a few years, then sold out to. 
a man by the name of Guy, and moved to Oregon. 

Jim Bryant was one-fourth Indian, and, therefore, would do but 
little but trade, drink and hunt. He built a log cabin in the woods a 
little south of where Billy Jones' house now stands, and laid claim to alt 
the timber land on the east side of White Cloud, south of the Saunders, 
school house. 

These three families on White Cloud, and Dave Vinsonhaler and 
Harvey Dillon were the only white people who spent the winters of '39 
and 40 in what is now Nodaway County. Some time early in the spring 
of 1840, Isaac Hogan moved his family from Platte County, and occupied 
the house he had built the spring before. They were accompanied by 
Daniel Hogan, Joseph Thompson and Richard Taylor and wife. Taylor, 
soon after his arrival, built a house near Spencer's spring, and commenced 
improving a farm. Daniel was at that time an old bachelor, and made 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 195 

his home with Isaac. Thompson was a single man, and also made his 
home with Isaac Hogan. R. M. Stewart had concluded to remain in 
Platte County, and had given his claim to Joseph Thompson, who now 
resides east of the One Hundred and Two River. 

During the winter of 1839-40, the country around Graham was vis- 
ited by many who were wanting homes ; although the winter was cold 
and stormy, these energetic spirits braved the difficulties, though they 
met with fewer obstacles in winter than in summer. During winter the 
streams were bridged with ice, which enabled them to effect a crossing 
at many points which could not be crossed during the warmer season. 

Among the number who explored during the winter were James 
Finch, Nathaniel Finch, Thomas Finch, James Huff and Wesley Jenkins, 
he being the foreman of the company. 

Wesley Jenkins purchased the claim of " Old Bunten," consisting of 
all the timbered land now belonging to Martin Palmer, Orville Graves, 
William Looker and James M. Kyle, and all of the prairie land on the 
north and south of Rain Creek. He erected a dwelling some three hun- 
dred yards west of where the fine residence and barns of James M. Kyle 
now stand, and moved his family therein in the spring of 1840. Having 
means, he made considerable improvement the first year, broke and 
fenced about twenty acres of prairie on the south side of Rain Creek ; 
during the summer and fall built some log huts near where the bridge 
now spans the creek on the Graham and Fillmore road. The second 
season he inclosed a large farm on the north side of the creek, including 
the tillable land of Orville Graves and William Looker. He was the sire 
of a large household of sons and daughters, who are now dead, or living 
beyond the Rocky Mountains. 

James Finch settled on the land now owned by Adonijah Morgan, 
and made considerable improvement during the summers of 1840-1-2. 
He afterwards sold out to Joseph Cox and moved to Platte County, and 
died there about 1853. Thomas Finch settled on the farm formerly 
owned by E. M. Gardner, built a small log cabin, fenced and broke a few 
acres of land. In the winter of 1841-2, he imagined that it would be 
nice to own some slaves, and accordingly entered into negotiations with 
Colonel I. N. Prather, father of James B. Prather, of Maryville, trading 
his fine land for a couple of Africans. The Colonel was shrewd enough 
in the trade, giving him some half-witted darkies, for valuable land. 
Finch was elated — felt w r ealthy. As he expressed it, " I have had my 
trap set for a couple of negroes, and now I have got them." He knew 
nothing about negroes, and was unable to dispose of them on any terms. 
This is the first instance of a pioneer being " scooped " in Nodaway. In 
the spring of 1842, he moved to Platte County, where he laid his body 
down to rest in that sleep that knows no waking. 



I96 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Nathaniel Finch settled on the land now owned and cultivated by 
George W. Long, made some improvements, and in a few years sold his 
claim to Thomas Cox. His claim included the land of G. W. Long, 
Jacob Shamberger and John Holumbaugh. After disposing of his claim, 
he, like his brother, was tired of frontier life, and returned to Platte 
County, and soon thereafter died and rests by the side of his brothers. 

Joseph Huff first occupied the land now owned by Mrs. Phoebe 
McGinn is and James McNeal. He built a log cabin near by the large 
spring which rises near the residence of Mrs. McGinnis, and inclosed 
and put in cultivation about twenty acres of land west of the Branch. 

William Stevens pitched his tent on the Eshelman farm, one-half 
mile south of Graham, where he remained and made some improve- 
ments during a few years following. 

A gentleman by the name of Henshaw located on the Henry Bau- 
blitt farm, and William Thomas occupied the land now owned by Mrs. 
Jemima Scott, and that of Elder Shuff. Each of them made such im- 
provements as the circumstances would permit. James Waumic and 
Ben Owens spent the summer without locating in any particular place — 
were "hanging 'round the edges." 

These families constituted the entire neighborhood, and were sixty 
miles distant from any white persons, with the exception of a few people 
on White Cloud. How isolated and lonely was their situation, without 
roads, mills, workshops, mechanics, or mail facilities — deprived of almost 
everything that we deem essential to our happiness, comfort and well- 
being. Not afoot of land had been dedicated for a resting place for the 
body when the toils of life were ended ; without shroud or coffin the 
idol of households had to be committed to the cold earth, no stone or 
monument to mark the spot where earthly flowers had faded, and were 
mouldering into dust. The voice of the shepherd who now proclaims 
the riches of salvation was not heard ; yet they carried with them the 
Bible promises treasured up in honest, faithful hearts, and when the 
shadow fell upon them, and the rumbling clods were hiding forever from 
their view earth's treasures, its words whispered of" love in heaven, the 
home of angels, and joys too pure to die," and in faith they braved all 
trials and struggled on, until many have been called to rest from their 
labors on earth, and we trust have ascended the mountain where eternal 
sunshine settles on the head. 

During the fall, Ben Owens secured what is now known as the Wm. 
Burris farm, with the exception of the south eighty acres, which was 
purchased by James Waumic. Ben Owens built a log house and fenced 
several acres of ground and continued to improve the premises for a few 
years, when he sold his interest to a gentleman from Platte Count)-, by 
the name of Thomas Baker, and soon thereafter went to the Lone Star 
State of Texas, where he pitched his tent, and we learn is doing well. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 97 

Thomas Baker was a man of considerable means, and extended his 
claim northward and entered a considerable tract of land, including the 
fine farm of Nick Kavanaugh. Not yet satisfied, he bought the claim of 
Waumic and secured a patent from the government. During his sojourn, 
he made some valuable improvements. Near the close of the war with 
Mexico he sold his land to Ennis Burris and moved to Texas. 

After disposing of his interest in the land lying in the Nodaway 
Valley, Mr. Waumic returned to Platte County, where he remained for 
a number of years, and then went to Gentry County and opened and 
improved a farm. He yet remembers and speaks of his experience in 
the Nodaway Valley, and his heart grows young when he thinks of the 
time when he was surrounded by neighbors on whom he could look with 
confidence, and when he clasped their hand he knew it was the hand of 
a friend. 

During the fall of 1840, or the winter of 1841, William Marlow and 
a man by the name of Robison and Abraham Cline, visited the new pur- 
chase and stopped in Bunten's Grove for the winter. Cline was a pro- 
fessional claim-taker, and explored the Nodaway Valley as far up as 
Clarinda, Iowa ; that part of the country was then and for many years 
after supposed to belong to Missouri. He made his home with Marlow, 
though he was often absent for weeks in hunting and laying foundations. 

Marlow was, by profession, a prairie-breaker, and had left his plows 
and teams in the south part of Platte County. During the winter, he 
effected a trade with Burt Whitten, and secured a claim and building 
place near where the residence of Judge Shell now stands. In the spring 
of 1 841, he brought his teams, plows, etc., to his new home and com- 
menced turning over the prairie for whoever saw fit and was able to 
employ him. When not otherwise engaged, he continued to improve 
his own claim in the grove. There is scarcely an early settlement in 
Nodaway County where Marlow's plow did not turn over the soil. For 
many years he lived in the house he first built in the Platte Purchase. 
He was a man of strong passions, and endowed with the gift of hang-on 
in anything he undertook ; he had, unfortunately, contracted the habit 
of using profane language, which, from the force of habit, he found it 
hard to break off, as is illustrated by the following : 

Some three years after his advent into Nodaway, he was attacked 
with bilious fever. There was no doctor nearer than Savannah. His 
friend and counselor, Cline, was absent on a claim-taking expedition ; 
therefore, Marlow concluded that death would soon put an end to his 
existence, and accordingly set about to make preparations for inhabiting 
a better country. There was no minister in all the land to offer up a 
prayer for his forgiveness. He remembered that there was a man by 
the name of Thomas Wilhite living some twelve miles distant aero s 
the One Hundred and Two, that he had heard pray in Indiana. He 



I98 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

sent for him, and soon after his friend's arrival, Marlow professed to 
have found rest in the arms of the Savior. In a short time the fever 
ceased to harrass him, and when his friend Cline returned, Marlow seized 
him by the hand and exclaimed, " I have had heaps of trouble since you 
left, but have good news to tell : I have got religion ; but don't you 
think Robinson's d — d old mare has been breaking into my cornfield 
ever since you have been gone." 

So much for the force of habit among pioneers, if not among all 
people. He soon after sold out and settled somewhere near Fort Des 
Moines, Iowa. 

Early in the spring of 1841, the hearts of those who had spent the 
dreary winter surrounded only by the red men of the forest and the wild 
beasts of the plains, were cheered by the presence of new comers. 
Among the number was Daniel Marlin, father of our esteemed friend 
and fellow-citizen, T. L. Marlin — who had for a few years resided in 
Platte County, Missouri — who cast his lot with the people who had pre- 
ceded him, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and son, 
Thomas L. Marlin, which was indeed a valuable acquisition in a new 
settlement. Mr. Marlin was a high-toned, liberal minded, energetic gen- 
tleman, in the fullest sense of the term. 

Mr. Marlin built a log cabin near where the stately mansion of T. L. 
Marlin now stands, fenced and broke forty acres of land and put it under 
a fine state of cultivation. When the gold mines of California were dis- 
covered, he took the gold fever, and in 1850 left a happy home and 
started to California, where he hoped to accumulate wealth and then 
return to gladden the hearts of those whom he left behind. He wended 
his way westward, and death soon overtook him. He rests in the still 
shades in a strange land, but is not forgotten. Mrs. Marlin remained on 
the farm with her son, he being a small boy, and kept up the homestead. 
She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was a cousin 
of Rev. Jesse Allen, who was a shepherd of that church, and who occa- 
sionally made visits to encourage and cheer her in her loneliness. During 
his visits he held meetings and planted the banner of Christ by gather- 
ing into the fold many people and organizing a church, which grew in 
number and good deeds until 1 86 1, when civil war scattered the flock, 
never again to meet until they meet on that shore where separation is 
unknown. 

Cornelius Brackncy located on the fine farm of Hiram Groves, built 
a house, broke and fenced forty acres of prairie land and made some 
other improvements. He remained on the land for some time, then sold 
it and moved near Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was a man of fair education 
and business talent, and soon after the organization of Nodaway County 
he was elected justice of the peace, serving as such for a number of years. 
Since he moved away we have lost track of him. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 1 99 

During the same spring Mathew Ferrell settled on the land now 
owned by Lewis Morgan. 

Elijah Hubble occupied a piece of land some eight miles south of 
Maryville, near the Prattler farm. It was for many years after known as 
the "Little John McClain place" — since owned by Frank P.Glasgow. 
Hubble, financially, was not a success in any sense of the word. He was 
addicted to hunting and fishing, and wasted a greater part of his time 
in that way, hence he made but little improvement. He finally sold out 
and moved to Honey Creek. His wife was an estimable lady, and no 
doubt had seen better days than she did while living on White Cloud. 
Under her influence Elijah left off some of his habits and joined the 
church. Providence smiled on him, and the last account we had of him 
he was a well-to-do farmer, respected and esteemed by all. 

Early in the spring of 1841, the hearts of those who had spent the 
preceding season on White Cloud were cheered by receiving additions 
to their settlement. The McClain family consisted of George McClain 
and wife, three sons — John, James, and George — and four daughters. 
Three of the daughters were married, Sarah A. to Hiram Groves, Emily 
to a man by the name of John McClain, and Elvira to Greenville Thomp- 
son. James, George, and Catharine, a miss of twelve years, made their 
home with their father and mother. This family were an excitable, 
energetic people, such as we generally meet with on the frontier, and 
held a friend in the highest estimation. They occupied a body of land 
on the east side of White Cloud. Uncle George, as he was called by all, 
located on the farm afterward owned by Dr. James Saunders. Where 
the Saunders school now stands he built a log house and broke 
and fenced fifteen or twenty acres of prairie land. In 1842, he sold 
his claim to John Wiggs, a brother-in-law to Col. I. N. Prather, and 
opened up a farm now owned by James Heflin. There he remained for 
a number of years. During his sojourn on this farm his son James was 
prostrated by an attack of fever ; some disease followed, from the effects 
of which he never recovered sufficiently to be able to walk. In four or 
five years thereafter he had small-pox, which destroyed his eyesight. 
He was then a poor, blind creature as helpless as a new born babe, but 
not neglected or forgotten. For years and years these noble, true- 
hearted people seemed to esteem it as a privilege to administer to every 
want of that afflicted brother, until God gathered him to that home 
where he has promised to wipe the tears from off all faces, for surely he 
had put on the robes of righteousness while inhabiting this terrestrial 
sphere. When we think of him, the noble, kind-hearted young man, 
who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the distressed and bowed 
down, we are carried back to the days of our chilhood when around a 
mother's knee, and see him when the shadow of the dark- winged mes- 
senger first fell across the threshold of the old homestead, and a loved 



200 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

member of the household crossed the dark water and was hidden from 
our view forever. While remembering his goodness in that sad hour, 
we feel that he was too good for earth, and with sadness bade him fare- 
well. 

Hiram Groves selected a claim half a mile southeast of the Saunders 
school house, and built a log cabin near where the residence of Alfred 
Jones now stands, and broke and fenced a few acres of land. His brother, 
Thomas, accompanied him to the Platte Purchase, and made his home 
with him for several years. The brothers working together made some 
valuable improvements. Hiram lived on the site of land first selected 
until about 1856, extending the boundary of his farm, and constructing 
a neat and commodious residence. He sold his land to Alfred Jones 
and bought a farm adjoining Graham, where he remained until 1863. 

During the same spring Pleasant I. Perkins improved a claim in the 
timber, about one-half mile southwest of where Lycurgus Miller now 
lives. The improvements made by him were of art inferior character, 
and he soon became dissatisfied and wanted to move. Perkins had met 
with some reverses in love-making — had been engaged to a young lady 
who jilted him after he had procured his wedding suit. She became 
the wife of a thrifty farmer near by, and Pleas, was not happy, so he 
concluded to " git up and git." He sold his claim to Colonel Prather 
and settled in the woodland north of Fillmore. 

Greenville Thompson occupied a piece of land three-quarters of a 
mile north of the Saunders school house, now owned by William Y. Cox. 
He improved his claim in the customary manner, with the exception of 
building a better house. He being a carpenter, resolved to score and 
hew the logs, and put it up " on the square." The following winter he 
sold his interest to Wade H. Davis, and took a new claim. 

John McClain selected a piece of land adjoining Thompson's on the 
north, and built a house one hundred yards west of where the residence 
of W. Y. Cox now stands. Not being satisfied with one claim alone, 
he examined the White Cloud country north of him and laid a founda- 
tion on the west side of William Bell's farm, and claimed all the land tr> 
the head of White Cloud. During the summer he built a house of hick- 
ory poles, twenty feet square, on the east side of White Cloud, near the 
west side of the Bell farm. During the summer he sold his first claim 
and moved to what is now known as the Morgan, or Bell farm. 

During the summer and fall a great many emigrants located on 
White Cloud, and in the Nodaway Valley, in the vicinity of Graham, of 
whom we would like to make personal mention. Among the White 
Cloud settlers we remember Mijamin Byers, John B. Morgan, Col. I. N. 
Prather, Nathaniel Barnes, Wade H. Davis, Wm. Davis, Benjamin Win- 
don and Jesse Windon. All brought their families with them and opened 
up farms. On the Nodaway, W. I. Linville, James Linville, Joel Hedge- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 201 

peth, James Hedgepeth, the Richards, Samuel Lawsora, Jacob Vinson- 
haler and others. Mr. Vinsonhaler afterward served the county as 
county judge acceptably. What was then known as the Narrows, now 
east of Barnard, were settled by Dyer Cash, Frank Conlin, Robert Pat- 
ton and others, who commenced improving lands, and from time to time 
these neighborhoods were strengthened by new comers. 

In the following season, J. E. Alexander, John Randall, Isaac Cox, 
Joseph Hudson, Thomas Adams, the Sizemores, the Johnsons and many 
others came to Nodaway. But we failed to mention Neal Gillum, who 
settled in 1840, in White Oak Grove, near Xenia. He was an old bache- 
lor and trapped and hunted for a livelihood, yet, notwithstanding his 
occupation, he had been elected and rep'rese rated all of the counties in 
the Platte Purchase in the State Senate. He was the first civil officer we 
met with in the new home, and indeed, on first acquaintance, he did not 
speak very well for the country; still he was a man of fair ability. Soon 
after our advent into the county, late one evening, a man dressed in 
deerskin pants and hunting shirt, with a gun on his shoulder, and all of 
a hunter's paraphernalia, called for lodgings. In those days, although 
one room constituted the whole dwelling, no one was denied admit- 
tance. Gillum was invited in and offered a chair, which he declined to 
accept, stating that he had not sat on o>ne for so long he could not rest, 
but seated himself on a wood pile in the corner, and in, half an hour was 
stretched on his back enjoying his pipe, and narrating his experience 
while in the State Senate. So much for pioneer officers. Ira those days 
there was not a post office nearer than Savannah, and it cost twenty- 
five cents postage on each letter. But still correspondence was carried 
on notwithstanding it would take half a day's hard work to pay the 
expenses. Letters were always welcome messages, and were usually 
written on foolscap, folded and sealed with a red wafer. These letters 
always contained something about love, religion, marriage or death. 
Those quaint old letters have long since failed to put in an appearance. 
The writers — where are they ? Many of them, we trust, have sat down 
in the kingdom of their Father, and to-day are celebrating their redemp- 
tion from sin, and the grave, in the shades of paradise. 

The nearest grist or saw mill was Blacksnake Creek where the city 
of St. Joseph now stands. A small one horse affair it was. There was 
also a mill on Platte River near "Old Agency Ford," known as Kibby's Mill. 
For several years these mills furnished the pioneers with breadstuff 
As was the usual custom, some two or three neighbors would join and 1 
take thirty or forty bushels of corn to mill, (wheat was not thought of) 
and on their return the entire neighborhood was supplied. Then it 
came the turn of another to go, and their borrowings had to be paid. 
In this manner they kept fresh breadstuff's. It usually consumed a 



202 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

week's time to go to mill and return, and it was through such difficulties 
as those that this fair country was developed. 

In 1843-4, Andrew Brown bought the Hogan land and built a small 
mill on the Elkhornjust east of Brown's spring. This was a great relief 
as it was near by, though men and boys frequently rode twelve or fifteen 
miles on a sack of corn laid across a h'orse, and returned home the same 
day, feeling that it was a small job to go to mill. Andrew Brown after- 
ward laid out the town of Graham calling it Jacksonville. In 1858-9, 
the Legislature changed the name to Graham, so that the post office and 
town would bear the same name. In 1845 t- ne Bridgewater Mill was 
built by Moore & Cock, which was indeed a valuable acquisition. For 
many years there were no doctors north of Savannah, the people having 
to do the best they could in cases of sickness. It may be asked what 
kind of people were the old settlers ? We answer, a moral people who 
reverenced the laws of God and the country. The)- did not desecrate 
the Sabbath. The river and creek banks were not lined by fisherm?.n 
on Sunday as they now are. And although game was plenty, the qui- 
etude of the Sabbath was not rendered hideous by the crack of the rifle 
or the shot gun. The Sabbath day was spent at meeting or Sabbath 
school, sometimes visiting. Although there were no church houses, 
they worshipped in some private residences in winter, and under the 
shade of lofty trees, " God's first temples," during summer. 

The pioneers raised flax and hemp, and the female portion spun 
their thread, spun yarn and wove it into cloth, of which garments were 
made. There was no talk of "store clothes" in those days. I would to 
God that the days of economy would again return — there would be less 
talk of hard times. 

Having already trespassed on your time, I will bring this rude sketch 
to a close; yet when I look over this large assembly of well dressed, 
intelligent ladies and gentlemen, and the usual prolific crop of babies, I 
can but miss the faces of many who penetrated these wilds thirty-five or 
forty years ago. Their voices have died away on earth ; they are qui- 
etly sleeping -beneath the green sward which covers them in the land 
they helped to reclaim and make beautiful. May the starry banner of 
freedom ever float in triumph over their lowly beds, and the wild birds 
continue to chant their requiem in the boughs that shade their quiet 
home." 

The following is a list of the old settlers of Hughes Township : 

Year. Year. 

Isaac Hogan 1839 Dr. J. W. Morgan 1841 

Daniel Hogan 1839 Jacob Vinsonhaler 1841 

Richard Taylor 1839 George Vinsonhaler 1841 

Robert M. Stewart 1839 D - M - Vinsonhaler 1841 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 203 

Lorenzo Dow 1840 Andrew Brown 1842 

Wesley Jenkins 1840 John Brown 1842 

James Finch 1840 Jacob Brown 1842 

Thomas Finch 1840 Josiah Brown 1842 

Humphrey Finch 1840 Wilson Brown 1842 

Joel Hedgepeth 1840 Cox 1844 

James Hedgepeth 1840 Thomas Cox 1844 

Lewis Hedgepeth 1840 Abraham Linville 1845 

Father Hedgepeth 1840 Thomas Baker 1845 

James Linville 1840 Joel Stowe 1844 

W. I. Linville 1840 William Stowe 1844 

Campbell Linville 1840 William Broyles 1844 

James Waumick 1841 Bartlett Curl 1843 

Nathaniel Finch 1840 James Curl 1843 

Joseph Hough 1840 Peter Noffsinger 1843 

Elijah Bunten 1839 James Noffsinger 1843 

Huntsucker. 1840 William Noffsinger 1843 

Henshaw 1840 Peter Noffsinger, Jr., 1843 

Benjamin Owens 1839 Martin Noffsinger 1843 

Cornelius Brackney 1S40 John Clarke 1843 

Daniel Marlin 1841 Jefferson Ragsdell 1845 

Henry C. Linville 1840 William Glaze 1843 

Marion Linville 1840 William Stevens 1840 

Pickerells 1841 John Isom 1843 

John Wright 1843 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

was organized in 1840. The names of original members were : James 
Finch and wife, Joel Hedgepeth and Jane, Bethanie Linville, Nathaniel 
Finch, Thomas Finch, James Hedgepeth and Ruth Hedgepeth. The 
early pastors were: — Aldrich and — Baxter, who labored in 1841-42; 
Alexander Spencer, who had charge in 1844-45 ! present pastor, Rev. 
Milland. Present membership, thirty-two. This was, perhaps, the first 
church organization in the county. 

SWAN CHAPEL. 

It was organized in 1866. Names of original members. William 
Perden, with three others. The church was built in 1879, frame build- 
ing, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated by Elder Wayman. Names 
of pastors, S. H. Enyeart and J. A. Shewatles. Number of present mem- 
bership, sixty. The church has three acres of land, including ceme- 
tery. 



204 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized in 1869. Names of original members: Henry Forcade 
and wife, Pelis Forcade and wife, H. A. Forcade and wife, Anderson 
Cragg and wife, Fayette Cook and wife. The church was built in 1881, 
frame building, at a cost of $ 1,300, and was dedicated November 13, 1881, 
Rev. J. W. May lot t is the pastor. Number of present membership, forty- 
eight. The following amounts were donated for building purposes : Henry 
Forcade, $200; Fayette Cook, $100; Peter Forcade, $75; Albert For- 
cade, $75 ; Anderson Cragg, $100. The church is situated three miles 
north of Graham. 

THE CHURCH OF GOD 

was organized in 1871. Names of original members: James McNeal and 
wife, John Riply, Mrs. Aaron McNeal, C. E. Bowen and wife, Mr. Fleagle 
and wife, Israel Crawford and wife and Mrs. Elizabeth McNeal. Names 
of deacons, Wilson Crawford and James McNeal. Names of pastors: L. 
W. Murry, McEllis, Kinsey, Holmes, Woodberry, Blakely and Bolton. 
Number of present membership, twenty-two. Will erect a house of wor- 
ship in 1882. 

THE M. E. CHURCH. 

on section 34, township 37, range 62, was organized in 1873, The names 
of the original members were Daniel Dodge, Mrs. Amelia Dodge, John 
Ashford, John Aldridge, Fanny Aldridge, Stephen Davis, Susan Davis, 
Edwin Davis, Wilson McMurry, Rev. A. K. Miller, Jane C. Miller and 
George Ingman. The church services are held in the school house, 
a frame building. The names of those who have served the church as 
its pastors are Revs. Balson, W. L. Edwinson, W. H. Cowley, Huffman 
E. V. Roof. The number of present membership is twelve. 

BETHANY CHURCH 

was organized in 1880. Names of original members, B. F. Whipp, J. H. 
Campbell, Isaac Miller. The church was built in 1880, frame building, at 
a cost of $1,600. It was dedicated the second Sunday in June, 1880, by 
William A. Gardner. Name of pastor, L. D. Cook. Number of present 
membership, eighty. B. F. Whipp, clerk ; Isaac Miller, Jesse Tracy, 
elders ; J. H. Campbell, B. F. Whipp, deacons. Mr. B. F. Whipp donated 
some two acres of land for church and cemetery, situated in the south- 
west quarter of section 22, 36, 62, Hughes Township, seven miles west of 
Barnard. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 2C>5 

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 

Elkhorn Patrons of Husbandry was incorporated January, 1873. 
The names of the charter members are as follows : J. B. Decker and 
wife, T. B. Greenelsh and wife, I. Colter and wife, Ed. Thayer and wife, 
and J. M. Linville and wife. The charter was granted October 15, 1873, 
and re-organized September 20, 1880. The hall was built in 1880 — a 
frame building — at a cost of $750. It was organized by Col. Jasper 
Needham, of Outly, Kansas, on November 12, 1880. Worthy Master, 
W. H. Bell ; Overseer, W. A. Sewell ; Secretary, J. B. Deekes ; Chaplain, 
D. Fullington ; Lecturer, C. E. Bowen ; Steward, A. Forcade ; Assist- 
ant Steward, F. A. Anderson ; Pomona, Mary Colter ; Flora, Susa 
Groves ; Ceres, Bettie Linville ; Lady Assistant, Palina Morgan ; Gate 
Keeper, Louis Royston. Membership 100. 

GRAHAM. 

Graham is situated in the southwest part of Nodaway County, 
eighteen miles from Maryville. It is two miles east of the Nodaway 
River, and is located near a little creek called Elkhorn. The town was 
laid out by Andrew Brown in 1856, with four blocks. In 1858, Mr. 
Brown laid out in addition, two complete blocks and one fractional one. 
About the same time, Abraham Linville, Henry Linville's uncle, laid out 
what is known as Linville's addition to Graham. In 1858 there were 
but two stores, dealing in general merchandise, kept by Burns & White, 
and McFadden & Daugherty ; there was one drug store, by Brand & 
Welsh, and a hotel by Dr. W. H. Woodward. There was at that time, 
and for several years previous, a steam saw and grist mill, operated by 
Wilson & Brown. This mill first directed attention to the locality of 
Graham. In early days, when mills were almost unknown, this one sup- 
plied a large section of country. Graham can boast of the first house of 
worship built in the county, with the exception, perhaps, of the Catholic 
Church in Maryville. In 1856, a very handsome church edifice was 
erected in the town by the various denominations which held religious 
services in that community. This was the only church building in the 
county, after its erection, except the Catholic Church at Maryville, 
until the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Maryville. 

The town was called Jacksonville from the time it was laid out 
until 1859, when the name was changed to Graham by a special act of 
the Legislature. A few years before the town was laid out, a post office 
was secured for that community, which was located about half a mile 
north of the present town site. This post office was called Graham, in 
honor of Col. Amos Graham, through whom it was secured. The name 
of the town was changed from Jacksonville to Graham in order that the 
town and post office might have the same name. 



206 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Andrew Brown, the founder of Graham, died some years since, at 
the residence of his son-in-law, Henry Linville. He was an estimable 
man, highly esteemed and respected, and possessed all the noblest 
attributes of the human character. 

Graham was almost depopulated during the war, no business was 
transacted, and there was but one little store in the place from 1862 to 
1864, which was kept by James M. Lawson. 

In 1864, R. C. Bohardt and John Schmidt each laid out an addition, 
and Mr. Bohardt laid out another addition in 1871, and one more in 1873. 
In 1874 additions were laid out by Henry Forcade and Jacob Fletcher. 

Graham was incorporated in the year 1871. 

Graham is finely located, and has many natural advantages. It is 
mostly surrounded by timber, and is situated in the midst of a country 
very rich and productive. The city lies upon the crest and sides of a 
beautiful roll of land, which affords one of the finest prospects in the 
Nodaway Valley. 

There are three living springs in the corporation, and two of rhem, 
the Brown Spring and the Spencer Spring, afford a sufficient quantity of 
water for steam power. These springs are of great value to the town. 
There are four fine stone quarries within half a mile, that contain a fine 
quality of stone for building purposes. The passage of the railroad on 
the west side of the river, and the location of Maitland as a competing 
point, has for a time thrown a shadow over Graham, but the people of 
the town believe that at no distant day they will possess railroad facil- 
ities, and Graham will again be filled with commercial life and activity. 

SECOND MILL IN THE COUNTY. 

We must not omit to state that the second mill erected in the 
ccunty was built near the present site of Graham. It was built by 
Andrew Brown, from Ohio, in 1 841. It was a log building 18x18 feet. 
It had a brush dam, and had a capacity of five or six bushels an hour. 
It was located on the Elkhorn, called by the settlers a " Wet Weather 
Creek," which ran nearly dry in summer. The mill washed away in the 
flood of 1844. It contained a small bolt turned by hand for flour. 

GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church was organized in 1869, by Nicholas Dilk, L. Geyes, Geo. 
Hartman and Dh. Eberlin. The church has had the following pastors : 
F. Arusperger, II. Fiegelbaum, F. Unland, G. Koeing, J. W. Buchholz 
aixl Wm. Fiegebaum. The church was erected and dedicated in 1875. 
The cost of construction was $1,800. The present trustees are as fol- 
lows : N. Dilk, G. Hartman, L. Geyes, Dh. Eberlin and Ch. Westphal. 
The church is in good condition. This church is at Graham. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 207 

THE GRAHAM PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

was organized in i860. The names of original members were as follows : 
John Cowen, Mary E. Cowen, Henry Walker, Martha Walker, Elizabeth 
Gressham, Sarah Vinsonhaler, Aaron Cole, Mary Cole, A. E Rea, Eliz- 
abeth McCoy and Mary Waterman. The church was built in 1872 and 
is a frame building costing $2,300. It was dedicated by Rev. M. L. 
Anderson and Rev. W. G. Thomas, November, 1872. The names of 
pastors being as follows : W. M. Stryker, N. H. Smith, M. L. Anderson, 
W. C. Thomas, A. D. Workman and B. D. Luther. Number of present 
membership, 30. The first Sunday School was organized in 1873. 

M. E. CHURCH 

was organized at Robt. Rea's house in section 18, 62, 36. The 
names of original members were, Robt. Rea and Eliza A. Rea and 
Jane M. Rea, and a colored lady, Celia Vance. Pastors, A. demons 
and James K. Chamberlin. It was re-organized in 1864 at Gra- 
ham with the following members : Robt. Rea, Eliza A. Rea and 
Jane M. Rea, Daniel Bender and Mary Bender, Aaron Cole, sen., and 
Geo. W. Osea Cole. The church was built in 1869, — is a frame build- 
ing and cost $2,000.00. It was dedicated in 1869 by W. H. Flowers. It 
is clear of indebtedness. Names of pastors, L. V. Morton, W. H. 
Turner, W. Cowden, Wm. Hanley, J. G. Thompson, J. G. Breed, B. T. 
Stanber, Robt. Develing, S. H. Enyart and J. A. Shewalter. Number of 
present membership, 60. The parsonage cost $500.00. 

GRAHAM LODGE NO. 202, ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMAN 

was organized in Graham August 26, 1880, with the following charter 
members: William B. Palmer, John S. Spencer, William T. McGinnis, 
Martin Bond, George H. Peterson. L. D. Summers, S. S. Dougherty, 
Joseph R. Stone, Perry Spencer, G. D. Mowry, John Vanderlinde, Wil- 
liam H. Maurer, F. H. Turnure, S. M. Twaddle, Perry L. Cheny, Joseph 
Long, A. Ashee, George E. Baublits. The present number of members 
is eighteen. This lodge meets on the second and fourth Friday nights 
of each month. 

GRAHAM LODGE NO. 112, A. F. £ A. M., 

was organized in 1867, with the following officers: T. R. Hedgepeth, W. 
M.; J. M. Brand, S. W.; N. Wood, J. W.; J. R. Welch, Secretary; M. 
Palmer, Treasurer. This lodge has been fairly prosperous and numbers 
now forty-four members. It meets the Saturday night on or before the 
full moon of each month. 



208 



[ISTOKV OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



GOLDEN RULE ENCAMPMENT, NO. 40, 

was organized in May, 1869, with the following officers: J. R. Bradford, 

C. P.; R. C. Bohart, S. W.; W. H. Dunby, J. W.; J. W. Morgan, Scribe; 

D. M. Vinsonhaler, Treasurer. The present number of members is 
twenty. It meets the first Saturday night in each month. 

HESPERIAN LODGE, NO. 1 89, I. O. O. F., 

was organized in 1868, with the following named charter members: J. 
R. Bradford, Joseph Ensor, S. G. B. Kavanaugh, R. C. Bohart, Jacob A. 
Cardell and J. W. Morgan. Prosperity has marked the history of this 
lodge, which now numbers forty members. It meets Tuesday evening 
of each week. 




CHAPTER XIV. 

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES OF INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP-PHYSICAL FEATURES- EARLY SETTLERS- 
PIONEER CORN MILL— EARLY TRAPPERS— INDIAN POW-WOW— GAYNOR CITY- 
AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS— SCHOOLS. 

The township of Independence is bounded on the north by Taylor 
County, Iowa, and Worth County, Missouri, on the east by Worth 
County, on the south by Jackson Township, and on the west by Union 
and Hopkins Townships. This township contains sixty-three square 
miles. Independence is the northeast township in Nodaway County. 

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED. 

At the May term, 1^56, we find the following order of record organ- 
izing Independence Township. 

" Ordered that Jackson Township be divided by a line dividing 
Township Sixty-five in trie center thereof east and west, and that all the 
territory north of said line, and formerly in Jackson Township, be called 
and known by the name of Independence Township." 

On June 15, 1866, the following order of court appears defining the 
bounds of Independence Township : 

" To commence at the northeast corner of said county, being the 
northeast corner of the northeast fractional quarter of section 33 ; 
thence west to the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 
33, township 6j, range 34 ; thence south on the section line between 
•sections 33 and 34, township 67, range 34, and sections 3 and 4, 9 and 10, 
15 and 16, 21 and 22, 27 and 28, 33 and 34, township 66, of range 34 ; 
and thence east on the range line between ranges 65 and 66 to the north- 
east corner of the northeast quarter of section 5, township 65, range 35, 
[34 ?] thence south on section line between sections 4 and 5, 8 and 9, 16 
and 17, to the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 19, 
[20?] township 65, of range 35 [34?] thence east on section line between 
sections [17 and 20 — evidently an error — ] 16 and 21, 15 and 22, 14 and 
23, 13 and 24, township 65, range 34; sections 18 and 19, 17 and 20, 16 
and 21 to the east line of the said county to the southwest corner of the 
southwest quarter of section 15, township 65., range 33 ; thence north in 

14 



2IO HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the center of sections 15, 10 and 3, township 65, range 33 ; thence west 
on township line and county line to the southeast corner of section 33, 
township 66, range 33 ; thence north on section line between sections 
33 and 34, 27 and 28, 21 and 22, 15 and 16, 9 and 10, 3 and 4, township 
66, range 33, and sections 33 and 34, to the place of beginning." 

By an act of the General Assembly, approved February 25, 1863, a 
portion of the original territory of Independence Township was severed 
from the township and attached to Worth County when it was organized. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The land of this township slopes gently toward the south, being 
quite level in the central and southwestern portion, but rolling in the 
southeastern, and more rolling and even bluffy in the northern portion 
of the township, on the headwaters of Honey Creek. Platte River flows 
through the southeastern corner of the township, making an elbow 
toward the northwest. The affluents of the Platte as we pass from it 
eastward are Brushy Creek, Honey Creek, with numerous branches, and 
Long Branch. In the western portion of the township are found the 
headwaters of Mazingo Branch and Mowery Branch, which flow south- 
westerly and empty into the One Hundred and Two River. A few stone 
quarries are found in the township, and about one-tenth of the land is 
timbered. The soil of the township averages well, while that in the 
middle and southwestern portions is very fine. The bottoms along the 
Platte River are sometimes a mile in width, the passage into the valley 
being by easy gradients, the bluffs seldom being steep or more than 
twenty feet in height. Ail the common varieties of timber are found 
along the Platte that are found in this latitude. Independence township 
consists principally of high, rolling prairie land. The soil is a rich, 
black prairie loam, intermixed with sand, and is very fertile. The town- 
ship is well adapted to fruit, and produces abundantly all the usual 
varieties. The land is well watered and all the grasses flourish. There 
are nine public schools in the township, which bring the advantages of 
common school education within the reach of all. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settlements in Independence Township were made in the 
marginal groves along Honey Creek and Platte River. 

Samuel Russell was the first settler in the township. He emigrated 
originally from Indiana, and remained a few years in Andrew County. 
In 1845, he came to Nodaway County, and took a claim on what is now 
section 16, township 65, range 33. He built a log house one-fourth of a 
mile east of the Platte River, near the edge of the timber. He was a 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 211 

good farmer and a kind neighbor. In 1847, he sold his claim to Elisha 
Brown and went to Oregon, and died soon after his arrival there, near 
Oregon City. He left a wife and two children in Oregon. 

In 1849, Elisha Brown sold this claim to A. J. Anderson, who still 
resides upon it. Mr. Brown having disposed of his claim, went to Ore- 
gon, his wife dying on the way before he arrived there. Mr. Brown, 
while hunting, in Oregon, encountered and was killed by a grizzly bear. 

The second settler in Independence Township was Raphael Dixon 
who emigrated originally from Tennessee and remained a few years in 
Andrew County. In 1846 he came to Independence Township and set- 
tled on the east side of Honey Creek, at the very edge of the timber, on 
section 32, township 67, range 33. He took a claim on the open prarie 
and opened a farm containing half a section of land. He is remembered 
by the pioneers as a good citizen, of marked social qualities, and very 
hospitable. His home was a rendezvous for social parties made up of 
acquaintances for miles around, and on Saturday and Sunday there 
would be gatherings of friends at his house who would engage in those 
pastimes in vogue among the pioneers. Some would try their skill at 
shooting at a mark, others would take a game of cards, and all of them 
would imbibe a little, a habit very common in pioneer times. A most 
cordial welcome was extended to all who would come on such occasions, 
and the day passed off with great enjoyment. The board would be 
spread with an abundance of good things common to pioneer days. Mr. 
Dixon owned a horse mill to grind corn for the neighbors which made 
his house a great resort. Sometimes the young folks would have a 
dance, on which occasion Jack Anderson would play the violin. In 
1863 Mr. Dixon went to Nebraska, where he is still living on a farm. 
Win, Dixon, his son, now resides on Honey Creek. 

In the following year, 1847, Isaac Guill emigrated from Kentucky, 
and took a claim in the timber, one-half mile east of Honey Creek. He 
opened a farm of 160 acres of land. He was a man very quiet in his 
personal habits, and a good neighbor. In 1863 he went to Nebraska 
and is now deceased. 

John Hall came from Iowa in 1847, and settled near the Platte 
River, on the east side, on the southwest quarter of section 8, township 
65, range 33. He was a kind neighbor, and a good farmer. He sold his 
farm to Isaac A. Lanning in 1852, and went to Oregon, where he died 
four years ago. 

ANDREW JACKSON ANDERSON 

was born April 3, 1823, in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His father's name 
was James Anderson. The latter was born in Montgomery County, Vir- 
ginia, and there married one Elizabeth Clifton. The twain, after their 
marriage, moved to Kentucky, where James Anderson died while the 



212 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

subject of this sketch was yet a small boy. Elizabeth Anderson subse- 
quently came to reside with her son in Nodaway County, Missouri, where 
she died April 13, 1881, in the seventieth year of her age. Andrew J. 
Anderson removed from Kentucky to Hendricks County, Indiana, in 
1829. He resided there until 1840, and in November of that year, came 
to a place called Jamestown, in Andrew County, Missouri, on the road 
between Savannah and St. Joseph, where he made his home until 1844. 
In March of this last year, he came to Nodaway County, and located on 
a quarter section of land situated about one mile east of what is now 
called Sweet Home, in Jackson Township. On the 3d of February, 1848, 
he was united in marriage to Candace Grindstaff, daughter of Jacob and 
Rebecca Grindstaff. In March, 1849, ne moved to his present place of 
residence, in Independence Township. He was not the first settler, how- 
ever, in this township. Samuel Russell was the first white man who took 
up his residence there. He located upon what afterward was surveyed 
as the southwest quarter of section 16, in township 65, of range 33. He 
broke thirty-four acres of the land and built a log cabin upon it. 
This was in 1845. In 1847, he sold his squatter's claim on this land to 
one Elisha Brown, for $50, and the latter in turn sold his interest in it 
in February, 1849, to Andrew J. Anderson. Samuel Russell and Elisha 
Brown immediately after selling out their interests in this claim, removed 
to Oregon Territory, where the former shortly afterwards died. Elisha 
Brown was killed in an encounter with a grizzly bear, but the date of his 
death is not known. The land was surveyed by the United States about 
the year 1845. As Mr. Anderson's claim was en the sixteenth section, it 
belonged to the school lands after the survey, and could not be sold 
under the then existing law until the Congressional township to which 
it belonged contained sixteen inhabitants. In 1853, the requisite num- 
ber of inhabitants having settled in the township, Mr. Anderson caused 
a petition for the sale of this section to be presented to the County Court, 
and procured an order to sell it. At the sale he became the purchaser 
of the southwest quarter, upon which were his improvements, for $1.25 
per acre. Mr. Anderson has seven children living — James, Elizabeth, 
Andrew J., Delicia, Martin, Charles Perry and John. James married 
Rosanna, daughter of George Hawk, and now lives on his farm, adjoin- 
ing his father's on the east. Elizabeth married Fielding Thompson, who 
is a farmer, and lives near his father-in-law. The other children are 
unmarried, and reside with their father. 

At the time Mr. Anderson settled in Independence Township, the 
Pottawatomie Indians, although they had by treaty relinquished their 
claim to the Platte Purchase, and been removed to their reservation in 
Kansas, yet they frequently returned to their old hunting grounds in 
quest of game, as many as two hundred or three hundred coming in one 
body. One of their favorite resorts and camping grounds was in the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 213 

grove of timber skirting the Platte River immediately north of Mr. 
Anderson's residence. Frequently, however, they encamped higher up 
the stream, near the site of Vinemiller's mill, now called Defiance. In 
December, 1849, about two hundred Pottawatomies, including squaws 
and papooses, made an incursion into the county and constructed their 
temporary wigwams in a grove near where Simeon Davidson now lives. 
A white man named Isaac Rice, who had married a squaw, accompanied 
them. After hunting for a few days, they hired Jacob Grindstaff to go 
to St. Joseph and purchase of Joseph Robidoux a barrel of whisky, 
called in the tongue of the Pottawatomies goodnetoss. Grindstaff 
arrived safely with the whisky at the Indian camp on Christmas eve, 
accompanied by Andrew J. Anderson and David Spooneman, who fell 
in with him as he passed their homes. Immediately on the arrival of 
the firezvater the squaws secreted all the knives, guns, and tomahawks, 
to forestall any effusion of blood. The drinking and carousal began at 
midnight in the "forest primeval," and was prolonged through the day 
and night following, when half the whisky being exhausted, the residue 
was carefully reserved for a subsequent pow-wow. It is scarcely neces- 
sary to note the fact that the three sturdy pioneers, Anderson, Spoone- 
mare and Grindstaff, then in the prime of vigorous manhood, imbibed 
freely of Jire-watcr, joined in the grotesque dances and lustily imitated 
the war whoop of their savage hosts. One old Indian who was accom- 
panied by his daughter, a dusky maiden of eighteen summers, having 
exhausted his proportion of whisky, proposed to sell her to any one of 
the three white men for a single gallon of goodnetoss. 

When Mr. Anderson first settled in Independence, wheaten flour 
was not used, and even corn meal was esteemed a luxury. The settlers 
got their grinding done at Hughes' Mill, on the One Hundred and Two 
River. Money was extremely scarce. Mr. Anderson and Jacob Grind- 
staff, in 1845, assisted the United States surveying party in their work 
for a short time, the former carrying the chain and the latter the flag. 
In this way they earned three or four dollars apiece. With this money 
they both made a trip to a mill north of St. Joseph, where they each 
purchased a sack of corn meal, which they brought home on horseback. 
On their return they swam both the Platte and One Hundred and Two 
Rivers. Usually they made their corn meal by hollowing out the top of 
a stump, in which as a mortar, they placed the corn, and with an iron 
wedge inserted in a sweep, or beam fastened to a pivot, they pounded 
the kernels of corn into meal. Few bears were ever seen in the county. 
One was killed by David Spoonemare on the Platte River, near Caleb 
Conway's. This was in 1846. Deer, prairie chickens, and quails 
abounded everywhere. The early settlers enjoyed lives of health and 
comfort, if not of luxury. Little attention was paid to agriculture, and 
most of their time was consumed in the pleasures of hunting. 



214 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Isaac Davis emigrated from Kentucky in 185 1, and settled one-half 
mile east of Honey Creek. He made a good farm of 160 acres, and was 
a good citizen. He died about two years sinc'e. 

Allen Stephenson emigrated from Kentucky, and remained for a 
time in Buchanan County. In 1853, he came and settled on Honey 
Creek, building a log house on the east side of the creek, and opening a 
farm in the bottoms on the west side. He became a justice of the peace. 

In 1855, Christopher C. Horn came from Indiana and settled on the 
west side of Honey Creek, on the south side of a grove, which contains 
about forty acres. His claim is the northeast quarter of section 24, 
township 66, range 34. He still lives on the same farm. 

John York emigrated from North Carolina in 1855, and took a claim 
on Honey Creek, on the east side, and built a cabin on the bank of the 
creek. His farm consisted of a 160 acres. He was a Nimrod in his 
tastes, and a splendid shot. All kinds of wild game were in abundance. 
He made his living by hunting. 

In 1856 Alexander Wilson came from Indiana and took a claim on 
the west side of Honey Creek, and built a house one-half mile from the 
creek. His farm lay in the bottom where there was no timber. He 
has a fine farm — the southwest quarter of section 29, township 66, range 
33. His son, William Wilson, has a farm adjoining on the west. 

John Wilson, a brother of Alexander, emigrated from Indiana in 
the year 1856, and located on the east side of Honey Creek about one 
mile from the creek. He had a farm of 200 acres on the high prairie. 
He died several years ago. 

In the year 1856 came John Stobaugh, a brother-in-law of John 
Wilson, from Indiana, and settled on the west side of Honey Creek, his 
farm running down to the creek. He made a good farm in the bottom 
where there was no timber. Mr. Stobaugh is still living and has 
acquired a handsome property. 

About this time came Michael Shuck from Iowa, whither he had 
originally immigrated from Tennessee. He took a claim on the west 
side of the Platte, in the bottom, about one-half mile from the river. 
He is now in Worth Count}-. He was a good hunter, and pursued this 
avocation diligently. He is still living in the same place. 

William Stingley, a brother of Moses Stingley, came originally 
from Virginia, and stopped about five years in Washington Township. 
In 1855, he made a home in this township, in the Platte bottom on the 
east side, within a stone's throw of the river. He was very hospitable 
in his nature, and loved music like his brother Moses. He reared a large 
family and was a good neighbor. He died several years ago, and his 
family has moved away. 

Thomas Lucas cMiiigrated originally from North Carolina and 
remained six years in Washington Township. In 1856, he settled on 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 21 5 

the east side of the Platte River, on an adjoining farm to Wm. String- 
ley's. He is still living in the southeastern part of this count)-. 

In 1856, came H. N. Pool, from Iowa, and settled on section 34, 
township 66, range 33. He made a farm on the west side of the Platte, 
of 240 acres, consisting of bottom land. He was a man of quiet life, a 
good neighbor, a fine marksman and a successful hunter and trapper. 
He died six years ago. 

Harrison Davis emigrated from Kentucky in 1856, and located on 
section 15, township 66, range 33. He made a good farm on the high 
prairie, between Brushy Creek and the Platte River. There was a 
fine grove north of his house containing nearly half a section. About 
five years ago, he moved to Kansas. 

Originally, Josiah Shuck emigrated from Kentucky to Iowa, where 
he remained a few years. In 1856, he came and made a home on the 
Platte bottom, on the north side of the river, opening and improving a 
farm adjoining that of his uncle, Michael Shuck. He died several years ago. 

John Ham, desiring to make a home in the west, emigrated origin- 
ally from New Hampshire, and remained a few years in Iowa. Hearing 
of the Platte Purchase, he came in 1856, and settled on section 34, town- 
ship 66, range 33, on the bottom, on the west side of the Platte River, 
opening a farm adjoining that of his father-in-law, H. N. Pool. In the 
year 1863, the Missouri Legislature cut off a slice from Nodaway County, 
to form Worth County, so that his farm was just over the line in Worth 
County. In 1868, he was sheriff and collector of Nodaway County, when 
both offices were combined in one. Mr. Ham was a fine marksman and 
a successful hunter. He kept a rifle for hunting purposes, and one for 
target practice. He could put a hole through a deer's hide every time, 
even when the deer was on the run. One year, he says, he shot twenty- 
five deer on the run at twenty-five shots, before Christmas. He hunted 
considerably with his father-in-law, H. N. Pool, who lived on an adjoin- 
ing farm. Game was plenty in those days, and the fruits of the chase 
were abundant. Otter skins were worth in those pioneer times from 
four to six dollars each, mink skins from seventy-five cents to two dol- 
lars each, and muskrat skins five cents each. They did not consider 
muskrat worth killing. 

John Hill emigrated from Ohio in 1856, and settled on the prairie 
on the southwest quarter of section 25, township 66, range 34. He was 
a good neighbor and was elected justice of the peace. He moved to 
Kansas two years ago, where he is still living. 

OLD SETTLERS. 

Samuel Russell, 1845. Elisha Brown, 1847. 

John Hall, 1847. A. J. Anderson, 1849. 



2l6 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



Raphael Dixon, 1846. 
Samuel Maiden, 185 1. 
John Schofield, 1851. 
Campbell Ingalls, 1853. 
Henry Foster, 1853. 
Alexander Wilson, 1856. 
Robert James, 1855. 
William Kinder, 1855. 
Benjamin Kinder, 1855. 
John Ham, 1856. 
Christopher C. Horn, 1855. 
John Stobaugh, 1856. 
William Stingley, 1855. 
H. N. Pool, 1856. 



Isaac Dowis, 185 1. 
Ellis Rigley, 1855. 
James Gartsides, 1S55.. 

Smiths, 185 1. 

Isaac Guill, 1847. 
James Alexander, 1856. 
Harrison Davis, 1856. 
David Kinder, 1855. 
John York, 1855. 
Allen Stephens, 1853. 
John Wilson, 1856. 
Michael Shuck, 1856. 
Thomas Lucas, 1855. 
Josiah Shuck, 1856. 
John Hill, 1856. 

GAYNOR CITY. 



This is a pleasant little village, on the high prairie, two miles and a 
half west of Honey Creek. The land on which the village now stands 
was originally entered by John Hill — section ?5, township 66, range 34. 
Mr. Hill opened and cultivated a good farm there, and sold it in 1878 to 
John Dyer, who occupies it still. 

About 1876, Edward Gaynor built a blacksmith shop very near the 
section corners. Afterward Wilson McLain put up a store, and opened 
a general stock of merchandise. More recently he has erected a new 
store on the opposite side of the street. The village contains about 
twenty-five inhabitants. There is a school house half a mile west of 
town. The first voting precinct of Independence Township was at Horn's 
school house ; afterward it was changed to Redick's school house,, and 
now it is at Gaylor City. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



Cowin, Stephen, blacksmith. 

Goodson, Dr. B, F., druggist and physician. 

McLain, Wilson, mixed merchandise. 



CHAPTER XV. 

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 

BOUNDARIES OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP-ORDERS OF COURT ESTABLISHING THE TOWN- 
SHIP—PHYSICAL FEATURES— THE FIRST SETTLERS— AN HONORED PIONEER-SWEET 
HOME -SKETCH OF BUILDINGS EREC1 ED— SCHOOL— FIRST MARRIAGE— BUSINESS 
DIRECTORY. 

Jackson Township is bounded on the north by Union and Indepen- 
dence Townships, on the east by Worth and Gentry Counties, on the 
south by Jefferson Township, and on the west by Polk Township. It was. 
named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. 
The township now contains seventy-four and one-half square miles. 

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 

On July 6, 1846, the following order appears of record establishing 
Jackson Township : 

" Ordered that the territory within the following bounds be erected 
into a new township, to be known by the name and style of Jackson r 
to wit : 

" Beginning at a point where the line between Polk and Washing- 
ton Townships crosses the long branch of Platte, thence on the line east- 
ward to the western boundary of Gentry County, thence northward on 
the line dividing Nodaway and Gentry Counties, to a point directly east 
of the Mowry House, thence from the point last aforesaid directly west 
to where the long branch of the Platte would thereby be crossed, thence 
with said branch to the beginning." 

On June 14, 1866, appears the following order of court, defining the 
bounds of Jackson Township: 

" Commencing on the county line at the northeast corner of section 
21, township 65, range 33, thence west on section line between sections- 
16 and 2 [21 ?], 17 and 20, 18 and 19, 13 and 24, township 65, range 34,. 
and 14 and 23, 15 and 22, 16 and 21, 17 and 20, township 65, range 34, to> 
the northwest corner of section 20, and thence south between sections 
19 and 20, 29 and 30, 31 and 32, township 65, range 34, and 5 and 6, 7 
and 8, 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 29 and 30, 31 and 32, township 64, range 34, 
and 5 and 6, 7 ar.d 8, township 63, range 34, to the southwest corner of 
section 8, township 63, range 34, thence east between sections 8 and 



2l8 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 

17, 9 and 16, 10 and 15, 11 and 14, 12 and 13, township 63, range 34, and 
7 and 18, 8 and 17, 9 and 16, to the southeast corner of the southwest 
quarter of section 10, township 63, range 33, thence north on said county 
line in the center of sections 10 and 3, township 63, range 34, and 34 and 
27, 22 and 15, 10 and 3, township 64, range 33, thence east to the south- 
east corner of section 33, township 65, range 33, thence north on said 
county line between sections 33 and 34, 27 and 28, 21 and 2 [22?], to the 
northeast corner of section 21, township 65, range 33, to the place of 
beginning." 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

This township is divided a little east of the center by the Platte 
River, which flows nearly in a southerly direction, and receives the 
waters of Honey Creek flowing from the north, nearly in the center of 
the township. A watershed or divide lies along the east side of the 
Platte River, in close proximity to the stream, which prevents any afflu- 
ents from emptying into the river from the east. Long Branch flows in 
a southerly direction through the western portion of the township. The 
eastern part of the township is watered by two branches of a tributary 
of Grand River. The land in the vicinity of Long Branch is considera- 
bly rolling, and also in the central portions of the township in the neigh- 
hood of Platte River and Honey Creek. In the central and eastern 
portions of the township, after leaving the neighborhood of the streams, 
the land is gently rolling and exceedingly fertile. There are stone 
quarries along the streams in various places, enough for building pur- 
poses. About one-tenth of the township is timbered. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settlement of Jackson Township seems to lie in some 
obscurity, the oldest pioneers expressing doubt in reference as to who 
should be counted the first settler. The earliest settlements were, how- 
ever, made as usual along the valleys of the streams, and on the margins 
of the groves. Among the very earliest settlers was David Spoone- 
mare, who located in the year 1844, in the grove two miles north and a 
little east of the present site of Sweet Home. He took a claim and 
opened a farm on the northwest quarter of section 8, township 64, range 
33. Mr. Spoonemare made a good farm, and has for many years been a 
respected citizens. Soon afterward came William Campbell and located 
one mile and a quarter east of the present site of Sweet Home. Mr. 
Campbell's family still live on the same farm where he first settled. 

One of the earliest pioneers of this township was Moses Stingley, 
of whom the Nodaway Democrat thus speaks : 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 2IO, 

Moses Stingley was born in Hardy Count)', Virginia, on the 4th 
day of September, 1810. He left Virginia on the 1st day of September, 
1832, and moved to Tippecanoe County, Indiana ; remained there 
twelve years lacking twelve days. He came to Missouri in 1844 and 
located in Andrew County, where he rented a farm and raised a crop in 
the summer of 1845. He moved to Nodaway County on the 23d day of 
April, 1846, and settled on the farm upon which he now lives. 

When Mr. Stingley located where he now resides, there were but 
few settlers in that part of the county. The Township of Jackson had 
been formed prior to the time he moved here, and embraced all the ter- 
ritory north and south, from the south line of township 64, range 34, 
which line is about three and one-half miles south of Sweet Home, to 
the Iowa line, a distance of seventeen miles. The average width of the 
township was about six miles. In this vast area there were but seven 
settlers when Mr. Stingley moved in. There were David Spoone- 
mare, Jesse Harper, Elisha Brown, Caliborne Hughes, Jacob Grindstaff, 
Jack Clifton and John Clifton. At the first election after Mr. Stingley 
came to the county there were but seven votes polled in Jackson Town- 
ship. This. was in August, 1846. What a change since then ! It is true 
it is a period of thirty years, but we venture the assertion that not one 
of the seven voters in the Township of Jackson in August, 1846, had the 
remotest idea of living to see the day when the county would have 
30,000 population and the territory then embraced in that township 
some 500 or 600 voters instead of seven. Some of those parties have 
lived to see such a change, and Moses Stingley is one of them. Mr. 
Stingley, too, as much, perhaps, as any other man, has done fully his 
share in contributing to the remarkable changes during this period of 
time. " Uncle Mose " says that the chief inhabitants here then were 
deer, turkeys, wolves, coons, mink, etc. He says he has killed two deer 
frequently of an evening when driving the cows up, and could have 
killed the third only he didn't care about having so much meat at one 
time. Mr. Stingley says in his own language, " When I came here we 
had neither law, gospel, nor the itch, — as to the latter there were not 
persons enough to communicate it to each other, and as to the former 
two, there was no society for either." The Indians, though they did not 
live here then, "Uncle Mose" says, passed by his house frequently in 
bodies of one hundred or more. 

For several years after Mr. Stingley came here milling was done 
principally at St. Joseph and at Hughes' Mill in Andrew County, south 
east of Savannah. It took about a week to make a trip to mill, and in 
one instance that he remembers he was gone nine days with a four 
horse team. 

A few days after he came here he quarried a large number of grind 
stone rock out of the bluffs of Honey Creek and hauled them to St. 



220 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Joseph and traded them for coffee, sugar, whisky, etc., "for," said Uncle 
Mose, "in those days when we went to St.. Joe to do our trading we 
always laid in a little supply of whisky. It was a necessity, for snake 
bites were quite common and chills occasionally occurred. We had to 
have some medicine, and whisky was the remedy for every disease, and 
cured all the ills we had then." 

In the farming line in early days the old wooden mould-board plow 
was in vogue. Mr. Stingley used to manufacture them for his neighbors. 
He brought with him to Andrew County an iron mould-board plow, 
which was such a curiosity that some traveled as far as twenty miles to 
see it. For several years after he had moved here, " Uncle Mose " says 
that every family manufactured its own clothing or did without. Every- 
body was free then, and if any one had no shoes he could go barefooted. 

Settlers coming in for a number of years were like hens' teeth, few 
and far between. " Uncle Mose " says he remembers a Yankee passing by 
his house at one time, who said to him, " You have a beautiful situation 
here ; a fine country, but where's your neighbors?" Mose told him he 
didn't have but one neighbor, and he was a d — d Yankee, who lived 
about twenty miles away, and that if another one attempted to settle 
about him he would shoot him. Mose said he was just joking, but the 
fellow thought, no doubt, that he was a tough one. At any rate he never 
came and settled that he knows of. 

Mr. Stingley was a member of the county court for a term of two 
years about twenty years ago. The sessions of the court were held then 
four times a year, in a little brick building that stood between where the 
present court house and jail now stand. His associate justices were 
Adam Turhune and Joel Hedgepeth. Before Mr. Terhune's time expired,, 
however, he sold his farm in this county and moved into Andrew County. 
Judge Stingley and Judge Hedgepeth then appointed Andrew Jenkins, 
as the other member of the court. Amos Graham was clerk of the court 
then ; Stephen Jester, sheriff; John Jackson, treasurer. Mr. Stingley 
was postmaster for eight years, and kept his office at his residence. 

"Uncle Mose" says that the ladies in those early days dressed far 
differently from what they do now. Corsets and lace strings were then 
unknown. Home-made linsey, with turkey-red stripes, was then con- 
sidered an elegant wedding dress. Said "Uncle Mose: "In those days 
I tell you, women were strong. The gals didn't mind to dance all night 
any more than a mule minds a half day's work. In the 'we sma' hours 
of the morning" they would take just a short nap after dancing all night, 
and get up and roll up their sleeves and go to the tub and do a bigger 
day's washing than most any woman can do nowadays." He had heard 
of a young lady, Judy Coon was her name, who chased a bear three miles 
to get one of his hairs for a tooth-pick. The bear got up a tree that she 
couldn't climb, and she had to let him go. It vexed her and made her 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 22 1 

so mad, that on her way back she came across a nest of wild cats, jumped 
in on them and stamped them all to death, but was scratched so badly 
that she never itched afterwards. 

When we asked "Uncle Mose" how much of a family he hid, he 
replied that had done milling for only sixteen in his time. Mr. Stingley 
lias been married three times. His first wife died in Andrew County, in 
the fall of 1845, leaving five children. On the 3d of November, 1846, he 
married Eliza Moon, of Nodaway County. She died the 15th day of 
June, 1856, leaving also five children. He was married to Margaret L. 
Gray, his present wife, on the 18th day of November, 1856. She has been 
in poor health for several months past. He has six children by his pres- 
ent wife. Three of his children are dead. George R., William A., Hiram 
M. and Manford are married ; Seymour, Norton, Craig and Noah, single. 
Nancy married Adelma Stingley; Thursy Ann married Robert Ross; 
Rosina married Alex. Toys; Pernesia Jane married Wily Mow; Lozilla 
married George Gill. Orleny is single. Mr. Stingley has four gteat 
grand-children — three of them at Samuel Yarnall's and one at Fred. 
Orr's. Mr. Stingley has a beautiful farm of 300 acres, about a mile a 
little south of west of Sweet Home. It is in good cultivation, and he 
and his family live there in perfect happiness and in the full enjoyment 
of the richest pleasures that life affords. 

The subject of our sketch has lived a long, useful and happy life ; 
we say happy, because "Uncle Mose' is always happy. He is a dear 
lover of the violin, and knows how to make the very sweetest music 
upon it. He frequently brings his fiddle over to Ellis & Prather's and a 
tune or two always suffices to draw a large crowd to their drug store to 
hear his music and listen to his good jokes and his witty expressions. 

Mr. Stingley is very hospitable and generous. We think of a little 
story that we have heard of him which is so characteristic of the man 
that we must give it : Years ago a stranger hallooed at his house at a 
very late hour of the night, long after all had retired to bed. When Mr. 
Stingley went to the door he was asked if he could stay all night. " No," 
said "Uncle Mose." The stranger thought the answer very cool, and 
went on to say that he was very much fatigued, — had been traveling 
all day, and if he could not get to stay all night with him he did not 
know what he was to do. Said Mose, " Stranger, you can't stay all 
night with me, but you can stay the remainder of the night." The 
stranger's horse was put into the stable and the old woman got up and 
f xed him a good meal of hot coffee and substantial eatables. In the 
morning, after enjoying a splendid rest and eating a hearty breakfast, he 
wanted to know the bill. " The bill !" said " Uncle Mose," " what in the 
tarnation do you mean ? We never take anything here for keeping a 
stranger a part of the night." The stranger felt thankful that he had 
fallen into the hands of so good a Samaritan, and went on his way 



222 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

rejoicing. Thus we close this article on Moses Stingley, one of our 
most honored old settlers, wishing that he may live long to enjoy the 
rewards of his labors. 

Isaac A. Lanning emigrated from Ohio soon after Mr. Stingley 
came, and located three miles and a half northwest of the present vil- 
lage of Sweet Home, on the southeast quarter of section 36, township 
65, range 34. At this point the Platte River and Honey Creek are 
about one mile apart, and Mr. Lanning's farm lies between them on the 
west bank of Platte River. He has opened and cultivated a good farm, 
and built a mill on the Platte River near his residence, which has for 
years been a great convenience to the farmers of that vicinity. In 
1853, George Conner emigrated from Illinois, and came to Jackson 
Township and took a claim two miles and a half north of the present 
site of Sweet Home, on the northeast quarter of section 6, township 64, 
range ^^,. Mr. Conner lives one mile east of Lanning's Mill. Soon 
afterward came Richard Ashworth, an Englishman by birth, and bought 
a claim on the northeast quarter of section 7, township 64, range 33. 
Mr. Ashworth died several years since, but his family still reside on the 
same place. Mrs. Minerva Smith emigrated from Bartholomew County, 
Indiana, and settled two and one-half miles north of the present town 
of New Conception. Benton Smith, a son of Minerva Smith, was only 
five years of age when he came with his mother to Nodaway County. 
He now has a farm, and lives five miles north and a little west of New 
Conception, on the west side of the Platte River. Elon Smith was born 
in Nodaway County, and settled on the old homestead two miles and 
a half west of New Conception. Adelma Stingley, a son-in-law of 
Moses Stingley, emigrated from Indiana in 1856, and settled one and 
one-half miles west of the present location of Sweet Home. George 
Stingley, son of Moses Stingley, emigrated from Indiana about this 
time, and located three miles west and a little south of the present town 
of Sweet Home. Manford Stingley located on a farm one and one-half 
miles northwest of where Sweet Home is now situated. About this 
time came Moses Spear from New York State and took a claim one 
mile west of the present location of Sweet Home. Mrs. Dorcas T. 
Varnel emigrated from Illinois, soon afterward, and took a claim one and 
one-fourth miles southwest of the present town of Sweet Home, on the 
east side, near the Platte. In 1857, came Samuel Beeks from Iowa, and 
located three miles north of the present town of New Conception, on 
the Platte River. In the same year Judge M. D. Nobles emigrated from 
Illinois, and located four miles southwest of the present site of Sweet 
Home, on the west side of the Platte. About the same time Reading 
Bowling emigrated from Illinois, and settled on the west side of the 
l'latte River, some five miles southwest of the present town of Sweet 
Home. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 223 

SWEET HOME. 

This little village is pleasantly located twelve miles east of Mary- 
ville, and two and one-half miles east of the Platte River. Abraham Bonty 
entered and owned the land originally on which Sweet Home is located. 
He sold it to Leonard Stingley in the year 1857. Samuel Mason bought 
an acre from Leonard Stingley, and put up a hotel in 1859. ^ n i860, 
Robert Shaffer put up a store and opened a stock of general merchan- 
dise. The first store was burnt in 1867. During the time of our civil 
war no building was going on. 

In 1866, John Ham erected a store and put in a stock of general 
merchandise. He was bought out by Basford & Roisten. Henry Mc- 
Mullen put up a store soon afterward for general merchandise. In 1870, 
S. P. Joy built a store for general merchandise. 

A store was erected by James Bentley in the year 1876 for general 
merchandise. The name Sweet Home Farm dates from the year 1865, 
and the village received its name from the farm on which it is located. 
The post office was established in the year 1864. Henry Reed was the 
first postmaster. 

Seef Clutter put up a dweHing house in 1865, and J. S. Basford, in 
1877, made a hotel of it. 

The first marriage in Sweet Home occurred in 1865, when Thomas 
Reed and Emeline Bowling were united in the bands of holy wedlock. 

There is a good district school one-fourth of a mile north of Sweet 
Home. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Bishop, E. W., physician. 
Flynn, David, blacksmith. 
Harry, Leroy, postmaster. 




CHAPTER XVI. 

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY— PHYSICAL FEATURES - EARLY SE 1'TLERS - THE READING COLONY - 
CONCEPTION- CHURCHES- BUSINESS DIRECTORY — NEW CONCEPTION — BUSINESS 
DIRECTORY. 

Jefferson Township is bounded on the north by Jackson Township, 
on the east by Gentry Country, on the south by Washington Township, 
and on the west by Grant and Polk Townships. It contains forty-seven 
square miles. 

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

On March 29, 187 1 ., we find the following order of court establishing 
Jefferson Township: 

"Ordered that a new municipal township be established out of 
Washington and Jackson Townships, to be known and designated as 
Jefferson Township, in said county, said new township to commence on 
the Nodaway and Gentry County line at the southeast corner of the 
southwest quarter of section number 34, in township 64, of range 33, 
thence running west on the township line to the northwest corner of sec- 
tion 5, township 63, of range 34, being the east boundary of Polk Town- 
ship, thence running south to the southwest corner of section 8, in 
township No. 63, of range 34, thence running east to the northwest 
corner of section 16, township 63, range 34, then running south to the 
northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of 
section number 33, in township 63, range 34, thence running east on the 
quarter mile line to the Gentry County line, thence running north on the 
county line to the place of beginning, and it is further ordered by the 
court that Conception be designated as the voting precinct of said 
township.'" 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The Platte River enters about the center of the township on the 
north, and runs diagonally through it a little west of the center in a 
southwesterly direction. Long Branch passes across the extreme north- 
western portion of the township through two sections, and flows in a 
southerly direction. The Wild Cat finds its headwaters in the eastern 
and northeastern portions of the township, and runs southeasterly and 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 225 

empties into Grand River. The land along the streams is rather rolling 
in character, and the township consists principally of upland rolling 
prairie. The soil is a silicious loam, and is exceedingly fertile, producing 
large crops of cereals. The land is well adapted in character for the 
cultivation of fruit, especially of the small fruits, and the farmers are 
engaged more or less in fruit culture, which is proving profitable. The 
first bottom along the Platte River is about a mile in width, and the 
soil is a deep, rich alluvium. The township does not contain a large 
amount of timber — not more than one-fifteenth of the area of the town- 
ship being timbered land. 

Good stone is quarried in abundance, enough for building purposes. 

Many springs are found among the hills, and the whole township is 
well watered. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The earliest settlements of Jefferson Township were made along the 
Platte River and the various branches of the Wild Cat. 

Among the first settlers, came David Rhoades, in the year 1846, and 
took a claim and built a cabin, in the northwest corner of section 28, 
township 63, range 34. He owned several hundred acres of land. He 
died in the year 1876. 

Samuel Ross came probably in the same year, and located two and 
a half miles southwest of the present site of Old Conception. 

Silas Best, at an early day, emigrated from Washington Township, 
and with four sons, took a claim on the east side of the Platte River, in 
the edge of the timber. He built a house on the northeast corner of 
section 14, township 63, range 34, and increased his possessions until he 
owned over a thousand acres of land. He died in the year 1875. 

Jacob Pugh, at an early day, emigrated from Iowa, and settled on 
the west side of the Wild Cat, about four miles southeast of the present 
site of New Conception. 

In 1857, Anderson Smith emigrated from Virginia, and located two 
miles and a half west of the present site of New Conception. 

In the same year, Isaac Weatherman came from Tennessee, and set- 
tled on Wild Cat Creek. 

During the year 1858, John S. Aldridge emigrated from Indiana, and 
took a claim three miles southwest of where Old Conception is now 
located. 

Benjamin Casteel emigrated from the South, and located on the north- 
east quarter of section 1 1, township 63, range 33. His farm of 160 acres 
was cut in two by the Platte River. He died about a year ago, in Montana. 

Sidney Smith emigrated about the year 1856, from Cooper County, 
Missouri, and located on the Wild Cat, three miles southeast of the pres- 
ent site of New Conception. 



226 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In 1858, Matthew Riley came from New York and settled one mile 
south of where New Conception is located. 

Patrick Growney originally emigrated from Ireland, and made 
Brooklyn, New York, his home for twelve years. He came in the year 
1858 to Jefferson Township, and located in section 9, township 63, range 
34. He died June 17, 1879. Patrick Growney had three sons, who all 
have farms in section 9. The family estate contained 400 acres of land. 
Phillip Growney and John Growney still live on their farms. Lawrence 
J. Growney is now Circuit Clerk and ex-officio Recorder of Nodaway 
County, and lives in Maryville. 

THE READING COLONY. 

In the year 1856, in the State of Pennsylvania, three gentlemen of 
Irish descent, by the names of Felix, McLaughlan and O'Reilly, con- 
ceived the plan of forming a colony of their countrymen with the object 
in view of seeking suitable lands in the distant West upon which to 
settle said colony. They were induced to this measure by the scarcity 
of work, hard times and small wages, which prevailed in Pennsylvania 
at that time. When the colony was formed, Anthony Felix, O. O'Reilly 
and Rev. James Powers came West for the purpose of entering lands. 
Arriving at St. Joseph, they fell in with Jeff Thompson, who gave them 
a plat of the then vacant lands on which the colony is now located, and 
advised them to go to the land office at Plattsburg, in Clinton County, 
and make an entry of said lands. When they went there the Commis- 
sioner of the office represented to them that the office was closed and as 
a consequence no entry of lands could be made. Messrs. Felix, O'Reilly 
and Powers then went to the General Land Office at Washington City, 
and upon application to Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, who was then the 
Commissioner of said office, they succeeded in effecting an entry of sard 
lands, and the necessary documents were sent to the Commissioner at 
Plattsburg, with the instruction to him that he should make a record of 
the entry upon his books. While Felix, O'Reilly and Powers were at 
Washington City, or immediately after the documents were received at 
Plattsburg, the land office at the latter place, which it seems had never 
been closed in fact, was opened as was claimed by the Commissioner, 
and these same lands were entered by other parties. This complicated 
condition with regard to the entry of said lands caused considerable 
difficulty and created a vexed question. Each party claimed that they 
had entered the land. The case was finally taken up before the Committee 
of Public Lands in the United States Senate, in the year 1858 or 1859, 
during Buchanan's administration. Said committee decided the case in 
favor of Felix, O'Reilly and Powers, and against the parties who claimed 
to have entered the land through the Plattsburg office. The lands that 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 227 

were thus in dispute embraced about 20,000 acres, all of which, with the 
exception of one and a half sections, which are in Gentry County, lie in 
Nodaway County, and in Jefferson Township. The decision of the case 
turned principally upon the fact as to whether the office at Plattsburg 
had been closed, and partly upon the fact as to whether the documents 
forwarded from Washington were not received at the office at Platts- 
burg before the other parties made their pretended entry. 

The names of the first settlers of the Reading Colony were as fol- 
lows : John M. Carty, William Brady, Michael Fagan, Jeremiah Sul- 
livan, Thomas Reilley, Edward Reilley and Patrick Growney. 

During the time of our civil war, immigration almost ceased, but 
soon after the war ended, a large number of immigrants came into Jef- 
ferson Township. 

There are now heavy settlements both east and west of the Platte 
River. The farms generally throughout the township are in a fine state 
of cultivation. There is a great deal of hedge fence. Many very elegant 
dwelling houses have been built during the last few years, and that por- 
tion of the county is rapidly becoming one of the most wealthy and 
best improved parts of the county. Several who are now quite comfort- 
ably situated came there a few years ago with but little means. They, 
however, had brave hearts, clear heads and strong arms, and went reso- 
lutely to work, and as a result they have transformed the vast, unculti- 
vated waste of prairie, which could be seen there a few years ago, into a 
well improved and richly productive country. They have gained in 
wealth, and have done so by their own hard work and individual and 
collective industry. 

The following are the township officers elected on the 4th of April, 
1876: Trustee, William Farnan ; Clerk, James Merrigan ; Assessor, L. 
J. Growney; Collector, A. J. Enis ; Constable, John Motch ; Justices of 
the Peace, A. T. Bleyley and Anderson Smith. 

CONCEPTION. 

This town is located about eleven miles southeast of Maryville, 
near the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. The town was named 
in honor of the Immaculate Virgin. 

Father James Powers came from Reading, Pennsylvania, in the 
year 1856, and entered the land where the town of Conception is now 
located, in behalf of a company of which he was a member. The com- 
pany was composed of Father Powers, Owen Reilly, and Anthony 
Felix, as above mentioned. They selected 20,000 acres of land in Nod- 
away and Gentry Counties. Father Powers and William Brady laid out 
the town of Conception in i860. On June 9, i860, the colony house and 
chapel were finished and dedicated. There were forty acres laid out 



228 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

and platted as a town site, described as the southwest quarter of section 
24, township 63, range 34. The first lot was sold to Mr. Saul for $1.00, 
who put up a store for general merchandise, the second building in the 
town. A blacksmith shop was erected by Joseph Heffner, who also 
built a dwelling. Mr. A. Blyley put up the next house for a dwelling, 
and moved into it, and he also erected another building for a dwelling. 
Soon afterward, Frank Enos built a blacksmith shop and a dwelling, and 
Father Tuerk erected a house for a dwelling. In the year 1870, Ignatius 
Richlin put up a dwelling and moved into it. In 1871, he put on an 
addition to Mr. Saul's store building and opened a stock of general 
merchandise. In 1871, Henry Mclntire erected a dwelling, and Augus- 
tus Enos put up a dwelling the same year. A store and a dwelling were 
soon afterward built by Joseph Wonderly. He moved into the dwelling 
and commenced keeping store, opening a general stock of merchandise. 
About this time a dwelling was erected by Gerhard Arens, and another 
one by John B. Krotch. Dwelling houses were also erected by the 
Sisters, Mr. Terriso Ikleman, Mrs. Elizabeth Koons, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Myers, Mrs. Margeret Smith, Mr. Barnard Nathan, and Dr. James Bickett. 
Joseph Sholze erected a dwelling and drug store combined. Dwellings 
were also erected by Joseph Wonderly and Anthony Match. Nicholas 
Burns put up a saloon, and Christian Voelker erected a dwelling and 
shoe shop. 

The first church was built by the Catholics in 1867, and dedicated 
December 8, 1867. Its dimensions were 25x40 feet, and it was enlarged 
in 1874 to 34x90 feet. 

In the year 1880, a Monastery was erected in Conception, but dur- 
ing the present year it has been elevated to the dignity of an Abbey, 
and called Benedictine Abbey New Englberg. The portion completed 
is 33x140 feet with ell 40x60 feet, four stories high with stone basement 
and attic. There are 46 rooms and 5 halls. On the north end of the 
present building the new church will be built, and will be 80x208, 66 
feet in height. It will run east and west and will be one of the most 
magnificent structures of the kind in the United States. It will be sur- 
mounted by three grand towers reaching some 140 feet in the air from 
the ground. At the southeast corner of the church another wing simi- 
lar to the one now completed will be built and extended to the south- 
east corner of the present building, making the total building in size 208 
X208 feet square, covering over one acre of ground. It is to be built of 
cut stone and pressed brick. The material for the buildings is mostly 
obtained on their farm. The whole structure will be built in pure 
Roman style with court in the center, and will cost some $250,000. It 
will require upwards of 3,000,000 brick to complete the building. 

In the Abbey there is now a theological school and a high school 
for boys, with four teachers. Two libraries have been established, one 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 229 

for the Abbey, and one for the people. The library for the Abbey con- 
tains about 3,000 volumes, some books being very old and rare. We 
noticed several books printed in the ancient black letter. One com- 
mentary printed in Basil dates back to 1523, and a book on Canon Law 
was printed as early as 1500. 

The congregation connected with the Abbey is increasing, and num- 
bers now 200 families. In the community of the Abbey there are now 
twenty-five members. 

There is a Sisters Convent about one mile and a half northeast of the 
Abbey. It is a four story building 44x100 feet. The new house for the 
Sisters Convent will be finished in the spring of 1882. 

The first death in the town of Conception was that of Mr. Hewey 
Mclntyre, in the year 1874. The first child baptized in the congrega- 
tion was christened Ellen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Father 
Powers, who baptized her, gave her forty acres of land because she was 
the first child baptized in the parish. The first marriage was that of 
Elisha Richlin and Miss Julia Protzman, in the year 1870. 

The Sisters have charge of the public school. There is a good 
school house. The population of Conception is about 150. 

Conception is located in one of the best portions of the Platte Val- 
ley, and is very desirable as a place of residence. The educational 
advantages will continue to attract many who desire facilities for the 
higher education. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Bickett, Dr. James, justice of the peace and physician. 

Blyley, A. T., notary public. 

Blenkner, Theodore, physician. 

Buehler, John, carpenter shop. 

Enos, Augustus, assessor. 

Enos, Francis, blacksmith. 

Hogan, J. B., attorney at law. 

Jenewein, Peter, saloon. 

Sholze, Mrs. Mary, milliner. 

Sholze, Joseph, general merchandise and postmaster. 

Voelker, Christian, shoe shop. 

NEW CONCEPTION. 

This town is located on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, 
about two miles northeast of Conception, and eleven miles southeast of 
Maryville. The post office is called Clyde, which name originated in the 
following manner ; At a public meeting in July, 1880, composed of some 
forty citizens, it was thought desirable to give a name to the new post 



230 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

office. Mr. Frank Bellows had recently been in Canada, and had brought 
back some Clydesdale horses. Some one in the meeting thought of this, 
and proposed that the new post office should be called Clyde. The 
proposition was accepted and the name adopted by the meeting, and 
subsequently by the Post Office Department at Washington. 

In 1869, Matthias Jerman bought the land on which New Conception 
is located. He sold the land in 1873, to Matthias Rogers, and the latter 
in 1879, sold it to the Western Improvement Company, who during the 
same year platted and laid out the town. The first lots, numbers 27 and 
28, block 1, were sold to E. W. Cone at $100 each. He erected a build- 
ing and opened a saloon. C. Weaver erected the next building for a 
dwelling. At this time several buildings were commenced. Gasper 
Kaiser erected a hardware store and went into business. J. A. Won- 
derly moved a building from Conception, and opened a stock of general 
merchandise. In 1880, B. Toller put up a hardware store and entered 
into trade. E. J. Clark about that time put up a store room and a dwell- 
ing. A carpenter shop was erected by Kroetsch Bros. A dwelling was 
erected by Mrs. Catharine Smith, and one by E. W. Cone. A lumber 
yard was established by Ambrose, Brown & Co., whose business was 
transacted by A. C. Robison. 

In 1879, an elevator was erected by Frank Bellows and Fayette Smith. 

The next house was built by C. Weaver for a restaurant, and soon 
afterward Allen Mercer erected a dwelling. 

In 1 88 1, a dwelling was put by Mrs. Eliza Smith, and one by George 
Waugh, who also built a harness shop. 

Mr. A. C. Robison, about this time, erected a hotel and opened it. 
Dwellings were erected soon after by M. G. Chapin, by Simon Webber, 
and by J. Spates. Patrick Kenney very soon put up a boarding house. 
Two dwellings were afterward erected by Dr. G. W. Hobbs and J. F. 
Wonderly. A store building for general merchandise was erected about 
this time by Ruprechet & Hellman, who commenced business, opening 
a stock of general merchandise. Soon afterward J. J. McManus erected 
a hardware and furniture store, and F. A. Bellisle put up a building for 
shoemaking and a confectionery store. At this time a drug store was 
built by C. P. Smith, and also a dwelling. E. W. Cone soon put up a 
building which was occupied by H. H. Ross, who commenced in the 
drug business. A saloon was now built by Fitzpatrick & McCarty. 

The depot building was erected in the year 1879. 

The post office was established in August, 1880, and the first post- 
master was John F. Wonderly. 

The people of New Conception are building a good school house, 
which will be completed in a short time. 

The following named persons are members of the school board : 
James Fitzpatrick, Lewis J. Mann and J. A. Wonderly. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



231 



The first marriage in New Conception was that of Fred. Karoetsch 
and Miss Julia Match. It occurred in the spring of 1881. 

The first death was that of a daughter of J. F. Wonderly. It 
•occurred July 16, 1880. 

The first birth in New Conception was that of a daughter to Mr. and 
Mrs. C. Weaver, in the year 1879. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY.. 

Bellisle, F. A., confectionery. 

Clark, E. G., general merchandise. 

Craig, W. P., constable. 

Durham, M. F., railroad agent. 

Fitzpatrick & McCarty, saloon. 

Hobbs, Dr. G. W., physician. 

Kaiser, Casper, hardware. 

Keller & Jones, meat market. 

Kerns, Andrew, saloon. 

Kinney, P., boarding house. 

Lee, John, saloon. 

McManus, J. J., hardware and furniture. 

Moore, Mrs. Catherine, boarding house. 

Hobison, A. C, hotel. 

Ross, H., druggist. 

iRuprecht & Hellman, general merchandise. 

Schaffer, Tonney, blacksmith. 

Smith, C. P , druggist. 

Toeller, B., blacksmith. 

"Weaver, C, livery. 

Wolf, Mrs. Sarah. E., .millinery. 

Wonderly, J. F. & Bros., general merchandise. 

Wonderly, John F., postmaster. 




CHAPTER XVII. 

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS -DAWSON— SCHOOLS— BUSINESS 
DIRECTORY CHURCHES-ELMO-BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 

Lincoln Township is bounded on the north by Iowa, on the east by 
Atchison and Nodaway Townships, on the south by Atchison, Nodaway 
and Green Townships and Atchison County, and on the west by Atchi- 
son County, Missouri. 

The organization of this township was proposed in 1865, by the 
division of Atchison Township, as appears from the record of the County 
Court, made at its November term of that year. The entry of record is 
in words and figures as follows : 

A majority of the legal voters of Atchison Township present a peti- 
tion to the county court to have Atchison Township divided into two 
townships, to be known as Atchison and Lincoln Townships, said town- 
ships commencing at the Iowa line, and in the center of said Nodaway 
River, and run with the center of the river to the section line between 
8 and 17, in township (65), of range (37), and run with said line to the 
county line west, thence with the county line to the state line, thence to 
the place of beginning, and to call the name of said township Lincoln 
Township, in said county. 

On the 14th day of June, 1866, the township was established with 
its present boundaries, by order of the County Court of that date. The 
order is as follows : 

* * * " Commencing at the state line near the northeast corner 
of section 31, township 67, range 37 ; thence west on the state line to 
the northwest corner of the county, near the northwest corner of sec- 
tion 34, township 67, range 38 ; thence south on the county line between 
sections 33 and 34, township 67, range 38, and 3 and 4, 9 and 10, 15 and 
16, 21 and 22, 27 and 28, 33 and 34, township 66, range 38 ; thence east 
on township line between townships 65 and 66, to the northwest corner 
of section 5, township 65, range 38 ; thence south on county line between 
sections 4 and 5, 9 and 10, 15 and 16, to the southwest corner of section 
15, township 65, range 38, and sections 18 and 19, 17 and 20, to the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 233 

Nodaway River; thence north with the meandering of the said Noda- 
way River to the place of beginning." 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The eastern portion of the township is timbered land, with one or 
two groves toward the central and western part, the remainder being 
prairie. Mill Creek crosses the northern border of the township about 
three miles east of the northwest corner, and runs southeast, joining the 
Nodaway River near the southeast corner. Several other small streams 
tributary to Mill Creek run through different portions of the township, 
furnishing every locality with an abundance of water. 

But little waste land can be found in the township. The quality of 
its soil compares favorably with its sister townships. The land, except 
in the western portion of the township, is very rolling, and some of it 
considerably broken. About one-half of the township is timbered. 
There is an abundance of stone for building purposes, and some indica- 
tions of coal. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

Joseph Hutson was not only the first settler in Lincoln Township, 
but the first settler in Nodaway County west of the Nodaway River. 
He came from Clay County, Kentucky, and bought a section of land — 
section 32, township 66, range 37. This land lies nearly two miles west 
of the present town of Dawson. He erected his cabin in the grove east of 
Mill Creek about one-fourth of a mile. He arrived October 29, 1840, 
and that night snow fell to the depth of four inches. The prospect was 
not very encouraging for the pioneer, but the snow disappeared almost 
entirely the next day, and there was no more cold weather until Christ- 
mas, the grass remaining green until that time, and that proved to be 
the mildest and finest winter ever experienced in Missouri. During 
that winter Mr. Hutson lived in his cabin and cleared six acres of land. 
He had been accustomed to timbered land in Kentucky, and thought at 
that time that the prairie was not as rich as the timber land. Garden 
spots could also be made sooner in the groves where there was no 
prairie sod to rot, which took considerable time. They used plows with 
wooden moldboards, the moldboards being from five to seven feet long. 
These Barshear plows were made about five miles north of Savannah, at 
Bennett's Lane, by Bennett & Son, who sold them at $27.50 apiece. 
Bennett worked for years at plow-making and realized a fortune. The 
prairie sod could not be broken by these plows with less than five yoke 
of oxen, and sometimes seven. 

The six acres of ground which Joseph Hutson cleared the first win- 
ter he planted in corn in the spring. He also broke twelve acres of 



234 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

prairie and planted it in corn. He raised that year fifty bushels of corn 
to the acre. 

THE HUNTER'S PARADISE. 

Game of all varieties was very abundant. There were elk, deer, 
some bears, turkeys, coons, wildcats, catamounts, mountain wolves, a 
large wolf of two varieties, black and gray, small prairie wolves, of a 
yellowish brown color, beaver, otters, minks and muskrats, with other 
small game. The Indians killed three elk within half a mile of his 
cabin, one within a hundred yards. The horns of this elk were so long 
that when reversed and set on the ground, an ordinary man could pass 
under them. He killed an abundance of deer close to his house, and 
turkeys from his very door. The buffalo at that time were found about 
ten miles north of him, on the east side of the Missouri River. The 
buffalo were numerous on the west side of the river, a person often seeing 
five hundred in a herd. Turkeys were thicker than prairie chickens are 
now. The first morning after he came, he went out to kill a turkey and 
shot five, as many as he could carry home. He says he also shot at 
several others, but the sun shone so brightly on the snow, he could not 
see the sights well enough to draw a fine bead. That morning he saw 
at least five hundred turkeys. Thev were on every tree top where trees 
had fallen down, and the trees were full of them. Every head of a hol- 
low, where the snow first melted, was scratched up for mast. That same 
evening he shot at a mark, or white spot on a tree, to try his gun. When 
he went to see where the ball struck, he found it was a bee tree, and cut 
it down and took out the honey. A man found in the grove ten bee 
trees one day. Deer were so thick he counted sixty-six in one herd. 
He says he killed sixty-two one fall, and says he was not much of a 
hunter at that. One of his sons killed 123 deer the same fall. He knew 
a man named Henry Owens, who killed 130 deer one fall and winter, and 
another man named Daniel Sears killed 126. When the lake was frozen 
over, just enough to bear a man, hunters would chase the muskrats out 
of their houses and where the water was shallow and the ice very thin, 
the muskrats would run under the ice, when the hunters would pursue 
and spear them through the ice. He has known a man to spear 100 
muskrats in this manner in a day. 

There were many Indians in those days. Eleven hundred camped 
in the bottoms on the Nodaway and wintered a mile and a half from 
him. Three hundred camped and spent the winter in the grove within 
half a mile of him north of his cabin. 

Joseph Hutson lives on the same farm where he located, with his 
children settled around him. Only two of the thirteen neighbors who 
came together are living now. One lives in Iowa. The writer spent 
a night under Mr. Hutson's hospitable roof and found him enjoying the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 235 

fruits of his early privations, and spending the evening of his days in 
quietude with his children and a host of friends gathered around him. 

B. F. Hutson, John Bagley, Silas Davidson and James Sunseford 
settled east of him within two miles and a half. They opened farms in 
the timber of the Nodaway River. These all came in the year 1841. 
Thomas Heddy and Elisha Heddy, his brother, and Wiley Crowder, all 
located in the year 1841, about one mile and a half east and a little 
north of him in the Nodaway timber. 

Dr. Benjamin Parker located on an adjoining farm and went to 
farming, there not being enough people there to sustain him in the 
practice of medicine alone. 

John Smith located north of Lamar's claim on the Nodaway Bluffs, 
a mile from the river, on the west side. Geo. Oster settled one mile and 
a half west of the present site of Dawson, in the grove. John, his son, 
married Miss Melvina Potter, in 1843, of Caldwell County, and located 
near him. Abijah Hampton married Nancy Oster, Geo. Oster's daugh- 
ter, and took a claim a little north of him. 

William Taylor married another daughter, Julia Oster, and settled 
on an adjoining claim. Wm. Berget located four miles west of Dawson. 
Edmond Chestnut took a claim near Berget and William Wiet settled 
in the same neighborhood. James Colvin bought the claim of Wiet, 
and Ambrose Colvin bought the claim of Abijah Hampton. Mansel 
Graves settled near where Elmo now stands, about one mile and a half 
west. Alfred and his brother, Aaron Graves, located on Tarkio 
Ridge. 

The Hutson colony of thirteen went in company to mill. Two men 
went at a time with two wagons, and took from forty to eighty bushels 
of grain. Then, before their supply of flour was exhausted, two more 
would go. When the men returned from mill, all the neighbors would 
come together, and divide the flour, each one having his own sacks. 
They generally went with cattle, three or four yoke to a wagon, but 
sometimes with two-horse wagons. In those pioneer times they went 
to Hughes' Mill, fifty miles distant. The mill was located five miles east 
of Savannah. In going to mill, they would be absent five or six days. 

Pioneers were accustomed to grate corn on a grater, especially during 
the first winter. 

When they first went to mill, they laid in all their groceries at White 
Hall, three miles north of Savannah. After about three years, Savannah 
was laid out, and they began to trade there with Geo. Smith and Robert 
Donald. 

They first obtained their mail at White Hall, and then at Savannah. 
Postage on a letter at that time was twenty-five cents. 

Those going to mill would take their guns and kill game along the 
way, and camping in the timber, they would cook it. 



236 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Joseph Hutson's first neighbor was near Quitman ; the second was 
at Graham ; the third at Bennett's Lane, where all their blacksmithing 
was done for two or three years, until Mr. Hutson built a blacksmith 
shop in 1842. He made the first set of mill irons for a mill on Hutson's 
Creek, now called Mill Creek. He would weld three bars, four inches 
wide and an inch thick, with two strikers for the spindles and gudgeons 
of the mill corn cracker. 

Mrs. Haney Lamar was the first person who died on the west side 
of the Nodaway River. She died August 23, 1842. The second person 
who died was Rufus Lamar, her oldest son. They were both buried in 
ground selected for the purpose on a little ridge near the Nodaway 
River. As there were no saw mills then in all that section, Mr. Joseph 
Hutson sawed boards for their coffins out of a black walnut log with a 
whip-saw. In those pioneer days there was not as much display as in 
later times, but such sad scenes, in all their simplicity in those early 
days, did not lose anything, perhaps, in tender affection. 

John M. Lamar, Sr., settled in the timber on the Nodaway River, 
about five miles north of where Dawson is now located. Mr. Lamar was 
born in Anderson County, Tennessee, on the 6th day of July, 1804, and 
died August 16, 1877. In 1841, he moved from Hendricks County, Indi- 
ana, to Platte County, this State, and in May, 1842, he came to Nodaway 
County, or to what is now known as Nodaway County, as that was before 
the county was formed. At that time there were only a few settlers in 
all the Nodaway River country. Mr. Lamar settled upon a beautiful 
piece of land. 

In those days wild game was abundant and the Indians enjoyed 
themselves in killing deer, turkeys, etc., on the very spot where are now 
located some of the most beautiful farms to be seen in the county. 

It was several years after he came here before many other immi- 
grants came in. At the time Mr. Lamar came, this portion of the 
county had not been surveyed, and it was denominated the " lost land," 
that is, returned to the Government as not being worth surveying. 
Those surveyors were probably sincere in so returning the land then. 
We, however, know now that they were greatly mistaken. It is, though, 
quite suggestive that a scope of country which was returned as not 
being worth surveying forty years ago is now a beautiful, well cultivated 
and productive region. Before the surveys were made all the right and 
title to lands were acquired by discovery, or by settling down upon them. 
Fortunately, the claims thus taken were so tar apart that after the sur- 
veys were made no person's rights were infringed upon, and conse- 
quently there were no difficulties attendant upon the surveys. For 
several years after Mr. Lamar came to this county, Savannah was his 
post office, to which place it was forty-five miles. We would think it 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 237 

rather far to go in this day when the mail facilities are so great. When 
Mr. Lamar came here St. Joseph was a hemp field. 

Mr. Lamar was married twice. He has four children living, 
namely : Napoleon B. Lamar and Charles J. Lamar. Sarah mar- 
ried Thomas Lamar, and Rutela married John Hudson. Mr. Lamar 
reared a most exemplary family. He lived a long and useful live. He 
was a vigorous and interesting conversationalist, had a clear, retentive 
memory, and illustrated in a free and easy manner the incidents of the 
early days in this our now great county. 

Napoleon B. Lamar was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, 
March 13, 1829. He came to this county with his father in the spring of 
1842. Much that has been said in the sketch of his father will also apply 
to a sketch of his life. Napoleon relates many amusing incidents of the 
Indians. He frequently went to their camps in an early day here, and 
witnessed their fun and frolics. He knew some of the chiefs, among 
whom were Powsheik, of the Mosquacha tribe, and Black Turkey, of the 
Pottavvatomies. He says that whenever the Indians were going to take 
a spree some of them would keep sober. Before beginning the spree all 
the bows and arrows and tomahawks were hid away. This was done 
that the Indians might not hurt each other when under the influence of 
whisky. Mr. Lamar relates an instance of an Indian spree in which one 
of their number was killed. It appears he was choked to death, as finger 
prints could be seen about his throat. When they buried him they set 
him up against a tree, and built a little pen around him, which they 
daubed over with clay until he was hidden from sight. They buried 
pipe and tobacco with him, that he might smoke on his way to the happy 
hunting grounds. A certain Indian, whom they called Malisha, was sus- 
pected as being the one who choked the Indian to death. Mr. Lamar 
says he heard that Malisha was tried for the crime, after the Indians had 
removed the camp to another place, but he never learned the result of 
the trial. He was tried in this way : Some herbs were given to him, and 
if they should have a certain effect he was guilty, and would be put to 
death, if the herbs did not produce that effect he was innocent, and his 
life would be spared. 

In another case where a squaw died, she was buried with a kettle of 
soup, and a ladle was placed in it that she might use the soup on her 
dark journey to the happy hunting grounds. Mr. Lamar says the Indi- 
ans would not kill a wolf. They seemed to have a tradition that the 
wolf was the dog of their ancestors, and they protected him as if he was 
sacred to them. 

Charles Lamar is two years younger than Napoleon. He came to 
this county with his father, and therefore all that has been said relative 
to early days here in the sketches of his father and brother will also 
apply to Charles. Charles Lamar married Kisah Hudson. They have 



238 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

three children living — two sons and one daughter. Their daughter Dora 
is married to W. W. Ramsay, a member of the Maryville bar. 

They are all exemplary citizens, and men who stand high in the 
community in which they live. 

The following are additional names of old settlers: 

John Bright came from Indiana, in 1842. 

John M. Lamar came from Tennessee, in 1842. 

Ransom Spencer came from Ohio, in 1842. 

Hiram Bagly came from Kentucky, in 1842. 

John Griffy came from Kentucky, in 1842. 

Franklin Parker came from Kentucky, in 1842. 

Amos Halsa came from Missouri, in 1843. 

William Wyatt came from Indiana, in 1843. 

William Hudson came from Ohio, in 1843. 

George Sizemore came from Kentucky, in 1843. 

William Bates came from Kentucky, in 1843. 

Monroe Cottrell came from Kentucky in 1843. 

John Rose came from Kentucky, in 1845. 

Aaron Wallace came from Tennessee, in 1845. 

Joseph Wallace came from Tenessee, in 1845. 

Howard Reynolds came from Tennessee, in 1845. 

James Roberts came from Kentucky, in 1845. 

James Livingood came from Kentucky, in 1845. 

Nickol Owens came from Kentucky, in 1845. 

Elisha Walters came from Indiana, in 1845. 

Jesse Roberts came from Kentucky, in 1845. 

John Severs came from Tennessee, in 1850. 

Daniel Severs came from Tennessee, in 1850. 

William Severs came from Tennessee, in 1850. 

James Wade came from Tennessee, in 1850. 

Mansel Graves came from Kentucky, in 1850. 

James W. Adams came from Ohio, in 1850. 

DAWSON. 

The village of Dawson is located two and a half miles a little north- 
west of Burlington Junction, on section 5. township 65, range 37, Lin- 
coln Township. D. N. McCrea and W. M. Walker owned the land 
originally on which Dawson is situated. It was named in honor of Col. 
Lafe Dawson, of Maryville. The citizens call the town Dawson, but 
the railroad company call the railroad station Dawsonville. The post 
office is called Dawson. The village is located in a beautiful grove on a 
fine roll of land north of the Wabash Railroad which runs through the 
edge of the town. It has a population of about 150 inhabitants. The 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 239 

town was surveyed and platted December 20th, 1879, by E. A. Garvey, 
civil engineer of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad Company, 
who laid out the town. The land owners, in consideration of having the 
town surveyed and platted, gave one-third of the lots to the surveyor 
and parties connected with the railroad. All the lots sold have been 
bought at private sale. The first train of cars reached Dawson, Septem- 
ber 2d, 1879. Mr. Burnett erected the first building for general mer- 
chandise in December, 1879, and January 1st, 1880, sold the first goods 
in the town. He received his goods before there was any depot, and 
landed them from the cars on the ground. He had charge of the first 
post office in Dawson for one year. Isaac Weddel erected the second 
building which was used as a blacksmith shop. The next building was 
removed from Lamar Station by Alonzo Reese for a drug store. J. F. 
Wallace removed the fourth building in the town, and occupied it, 
opening a stock of general merchandise. The next building was a 
dwelling which was removed from Lamar Station also, by Alonzo Reese. 
Soon afterward A. S. Thompson put up a building and opened a board- 
ing house. A general law office was soon built for the justice of the 
peace, D. V. McCrea, Esq. J. M. Wallace & Son soon completed 
another building and opened a stock of groceries and hardware. Bilby, 
Wood & Co., soon afterward erected a store for general merchandise. 
A considerable number of dwellings have been since erected. 

Dawson is a good point for business. It is located a mile west of 
the Nodaway River, near the junction of the river with Mill Creek, 
which receives almost the entire rainfall of all Lincoln Township. The 
Nodaway Valley is made up of the best alluvial lands in Northwest Mis- 
souri, and the multiplied productions of this valley must pour out over 
the railways into the markets of the world. The lands lying round 
about Dawson especially possess a deep alluvial soil of great fertility, 
which will produce abundantly all the cereals and grasses of this lati- 
tude. West of the Nodaway River, along the river valley, and as we 
approach the Missouri River, are found the finest groves in the north- 
western portion of the State. 

Dawson possesses many natural advantages, and must increase in 
population and importance in a business point of view. In the last two 
years, 250,000 bushels of grain, mostly corn, have been shipped from 
Dawson, and in the last eighteen months 200 car loads of cattle and 
hogs have been shipped. 

On the Nodaway River, seven-eighths of a mile east of Dawson, is 
a fine water-mill with two run of burrs, owned by H. Burnett, which 
has been of great service to the town and the people of that vicinity. A 
dam of eight feet utilizes all the power of the river at that point, and 
there is an abundance of water for milling purposes at all seasons of the 



240 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

year. Dawson is supplied with good well water, which is found in abun- 
dance at a depth of from eighteen to thirty feet. 

There has been a public school near where Dawson now stands for 
twenty-five years. When the town was located Miss Anna Hackett was 
the teacher. The number of pupils in attendance is about 120. The 
people contemplate erecting a new school house in another year. 

The first marriage in Dawson occurred August 10, 1880, when Mr. 
Mitchell H. Bailey and Miss Louisa A. Massengale were united in the 
bands of wedlock by 'Squire D. V. McCrea. The second marriage in 
Dawson occurred September 19, 1880, at which auspicious time Mr. 
Arthur McDonnull and Miss Hattie J. Bowman were united in the holy 
bands of matrimony by 'Squire D. V. McCrea. 

March 3, 1881, was the date of the first birth in Dawson, a son to 
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Daugherty. 

Andrew J. Maines was the first person who died in Dawson, on 
September 26, 1881. 

DAWSON DIRECTORY. 

Burnett, H., general merchandise. 

Bilby, Wood & Co., general merchandise. 

McCrea, D. V., justice of the peace. 

McCrea, D. V., lumber dealer. 

Moore, Enos, railroad agent. 

Pease, William, carpenter. 

Reese & Rosebraugh, druggists. 

Wallace, J. M. & Son, hardware and groceries. 

Wallace & Walker, general merchandise. 

Weddel, Isaac, blacksmith. 

Woodward, Dr. J. H., physician. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This church was organized July 23, 1881, by Rev. H. J. Latour. The 
following are the names of the original members : H. Burnett, Mrs. M. 
A. Burnett, J. A. Chadwick, Mrs. Melissie Chadwick, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Massengale, C. E. Short, Mrs. L. A. Short, J. F. Wallace, Joseph Wal- 
lace, Charles Wallace, Mrs. Adeline Wallace, Mrs. Nancy Walker, James 
Randall, L. B. Edwards, J. W. Short, Mrs. R. C. Short, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Heckerthorn, Mrs. Jane Thacker, Mrs. Francis Fox, Mrs. Bessie Burnett 
and Mrs. Amanda Wallace. Rev. A. M. Wallace is the present pastor. 
He has three other appointments, where he labors. Mr. Wallace has 
done a large amount of missionary labor in the Nodaway Valley in 
organizing churches and Sabbath Schools. The church at Dawson is 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 241 

the direct result of his labors in this field. The present membership of 
the church numbers twenty-one. There is a good Sabbath School during 
the summer season. 

ELMO. 

Elmo, a village of about two hundred inhabitants, is situated on the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, nineteen and one-fourth miles, by- 
rail, northwest of Maryville. The land on which the town of Elmo is 
located was originally owned by Isaac Hesser and the State Bank of 
Missouri. The land was bought by the Wabash Railroad Company, and 
the Western Improvement Company formed, who laid out the town in 
December, 1879. The land was surveyed by the railroad company. 
There was a public sale of lots in October, 1880. The depot was the first 
building erected on the town site. There were also two grain offices 
built. Mr. J. Lamme put up a building about this time for a saloon. 
W. C. Ecker erected the next building for a hotel, and opened and con- 
ducted it for about two years. F. J. Scott soon afterward put up a build- 
ing for a restaurant and store. The next building was erected by J. R. 
Nelson, who opened a stock of general merchandise, selling the first 
goods in the new town. C. J. Lamar put up a store building soon after- 
ward, and opened a stock of general merchandise. About this time 
there was a section house erected. S. Collins then built a residence, 
the first one in town, and commenced living in it in the spring of 1880. 
Wm. Moss erected the next building for a restaurant, which he opened, 
but soon sold out. About this time Lamar & Severs put up a building 
and opened a stock of general merchandise. Tibbetts & Phillips very 
•soon erected a drug store, and then each member of the firm built a 
residence. At this time C. J. Lamar moved a residence from Lamar 
Station. Then James Brown built a blacksmith shop, and William 
Bales put up a residence. Several other buildings followed, whose 
sequence it is difficult to trace. The Masonic lodge building was soon 
afterward removed from Lamar Station. 

The first marriage in the town occurred September 17, 1880, when 
Mr. J. A. Maloney was married to Miss R. A. Manley, by 'Squire H. F. 
Barker. 

The first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Livengood. 

The first death was that of Morris Kane, who was knocked off from 
a hand-car by an engine backing against it after dark. 

The school house is at present located a mile and a-half from town, 
but a good school house will be erected in the village next summer. 

The Methodists hold service on Sunday in the hall of Lamar & Son. 

Scott's Addition to the town was laid off in September, 188 1. 

Elmo is finely situated on a roll of land a little north of the rail- 
road, surrounded by a beautiful grove. The town possesses considerable 

10 



242 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

business in all the lines of trade, and the business of the place will evi- 
dently grow in importance from year to year. One hundred thousand 
bushels of grain have been shipped from Elmo in the last six months. 

ELMO DIRECTORY. 

Bales, William, blacksmith. 

Collins, Dr. S., livery stable. 

Collins, S., physician. 

Colvin & Murphy, lumber, wagons and implements. 

Eggleston, J. P. & Co., hardware and furniture. 

Funston, O., carpenter. 

Greenwood, John, meat market. 

Hudson, James, boarding house. 

Joy, F. & Co., general merchandise. 

Joy, H. S., meat market. 

Lamar & Severs, general merchandise. 

Lamar, C. J. & Son, general merchandise. 

Lawless, James, plasterer. 

Manley, L. R., painter and jeweler. 

Martin, Dr. T. L., physician. 

Nelson, J. R., general merchandise. 

Russell, Ed., saloon and billiard hall. 

Scott, T. J., manager elevator. 

Scott & Atherton, general merchandise. 

Spencer & Taylor, milliners. 

Stratton, N. J., elevator. 

Tibbetts & Bradley, druggists. 

Tibbetts, Mrs., milliner. 

Williams, A. H., jeweler. 

Woodard, I. B., harness maker. 

KENNEDY LODGE NO. 329, A. F. & A. M. 

Kennedy Lodge was chartered at Lamar Station, October 13, 1870, 
but was removed to Elmo, December 1, 1880. The names of the charter 
members are as follows : E. George, John M. Lamar, I. N. Castillo, S. J. 
Russell, John Hudson, D. V. McCrea, J. R. Nelson, Sidney Smith, 
Thomas Fields, Alexander Gray, W. S. Lamme, William Longmyers 
and C. J. Lamar. The names of the present officers are as follows : C. B. 
Thummell, W. M.; E. George, S. W.; E. M. Bailey, J. W.; Thomas Fields, 
Treasurer; L. P. Colvin, Secretary ; H. C. Burnett, S. D.; J. R. Nelson, J. 
D.; J. M. Wallace, S. S.; Thomas Tudder, J. S. ; John Hudson, Tyler. 

The present membership numbers forty. The lodge own their own 
hall, and are in a fine condition. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

MONROE TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES— EARLY SETTLERS-SKIDMORE-BUSINESS DIREC- 
TORY-CHURCHES. 

MONROE TOWNSHIP. 

Several reasons led to the organization of Monroe Township, chief 
among which was the inconvenience the farmers suffered in voting at 
distant precincts. These led the people to petition, in 1881, for the 
organization of another township to be formed out of territory originally 
belonging to the townships of Green and Hughes. 

At the February term, Nodaway County Court, February 12, i88i r 
occurs the following order, establishing the bounds of Monroe Township : 

Ordered by the court, That a municipal township be established out 
of parts of Green and Hughes Townships, to be known and designated! 
as Monroe Township, in said county, to be composed of the following; 
territory, to wit : 

Commencing at the southwest corner of section No. 15, township 
No. 63, range No. 38, thence east with section line eleven miles to the 
southeast corner of section 17, in township No. 63, range No. 36, thence 
north with section line four miles, to the northeast corner of section 32,. 
township 64, range 36, thence west with section line eleven miles, to the 
southwest corner of section 34, township 64, range 38, thence south four 
miles south of line dividing Atchison and Nodaway Counties, to the 
place of beginning. 

It is further ordered by the court, that Skidmore be designated as- 
voting place for said township. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Monroe Township lies as a parallelogram, eleven miles from east to> 
west and four miles from north to south. The general features of the 
township are similar to those of Green Township, out of which it was 
formed in part. The eastern portion of the township rises gradually 
from the river, with a slight inclination toward the north, and the west- 
ern portion rises gently from the river toward the west. Nodaway 



244 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

River runs through the township from the north to south, dividing it 
nearly in the middle. Florida Creek empties into the river from the 
northeast, and Hickory Creek and Hutchinson's Branch from the west. 
The township is composed of rich prairie lands, with some timber along 
the Nodaway River and its affluents. The land is rather rolling in its 
character, especially as we approach the streams. Monroe Township 
has one mill privilege, which has been improved, near where Skidmore 
is now located. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Among the earliest settlers in the territory now belonging to Mon- 
roe Township, was William Bunten, who came in 1840, and opened a 
farm one and one-fourth miles northeast of the place where Skidmore is 
now located. 

About the same time Wm. Dotson came and settled on a claim two 
miles northeast of the present site of Skidmore. 

James Curl soon afterward opened a farm where Skidmore now 
stands. He was a large stockraiser. 

Richard Miller bought the claim of Dotson, and James Fulkerson 
bought the claim of Bunten. 

In 1847, Wm. V. Smith purchased the claim of Fulkerson. 
In 1845, Peter Noffsinger came and settled on a tract of land adjoin- 
ing the town site on the northeast. 

Monroe Cotrel settled on a claim two miles southeast of where 
Skidmore now stands, but afterward sold to William Broyles, and he 
sold to Robert Bagley, who lives on the same place now. 

Joseph Huntsucker took a claim in 1845 about three miles northeast 
of Skidmore. He sold out to Thomas Davis, and Mrs. Davis still lives 
on the same place. 

About 1850, Hugh D. McDonald entered forty acres of what was 
known as part of Burr Oak Grove. He sold out to Thomas Hayes, in 
1853, whose two sons, James T. Hayes and John G. Hayes, and his two 
sons-in-law, John S. Grigsby and Alonzo Coston, settled in and around 
the grove. Burr Oak Grove is located four miles west of Skidmore and 
one-half mile north. The grove contains about 320 acres of land, and 
lies at the head of Burr Oak Branch, which runs into the Nodaway River. 
Hickory Grove is located one mile south and two miles west of 
Skidmore, and contains about half a section of land. It lies about mid- 
way on Hickory Creek, which flows into the Nodaway River. 
William Bunten settled in 1840. William Dotson settled in 1840. 
James Curl, 1842. Richard Miller, 1844. 

James Fulkerson, 1844. Monroe Cotrell, 1844 

Peter Noffsinger, 1845. Joseph Huntsucker, 1845. 

William V. Smith, 1847. William Broyles, 1847. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 245 

Thomas Davis, 1847. John Owens, 1850. 

Irving Hall, 1850. Adam Terhune, 1S50. 

M. Skidmore, 1865. Hugh D. McDonald, 1850. 

Thomas Hayes, 1853. James T. Hayes. 

John G. Hayes. John S. Grigsby. 

Alonzo Coston. I. D. Wheeler, 1856. 

Noah Mast. Robert Bagby, 1857. 

Judge William V. Smith, 1847. Thomas Mayhew, 1858. 

Patteson Hughes, 1857- Wesley Clark, 1850. 
Martin Skidmore, 1861. 

BURR OAK M. E. CHURCH. 

This church was organized about the year i860. The present 
membership is seventy. Rev. William H. Van Gundy is the pastor. 
The church edifice is worth $1,500. The Sabbath School is in good 
condition, and the church is prosperous. 

SKIDMORE. 

The town of Skidmore is situated eleven miles south of Burlington 
Junction, exactly in the geographical center of Monroe Township, about 
half a mile east of the Nodaway River. A beautiful little valley or 
depression runs through the town from north to south, giving it perfect 
drainage, along which passes the railroad, the town being thus freed, in 
great measure, from the noise, dust and smoke of passing trains. The 
land on each side of this little depression rises in fine rolls, on which lies 
the village of Skidmore, one of the finest towns in the Nodaway Valley. 
The land on which the town of Skidmore is situated was originally owned 
by Mr. M. Skidmore, who gave the Nodaway Valley Railroad Company 
over twenty acres of land for railroad purposes. It was a free gift, Mr. 
Skidmore not entering into any stipulation that the railroad company 
should locate a station at that point. The railroad was built in i88o r 
and completed the 15th day of August of that year. There was no town 
company formed, but Mr. Skidmore laid off the town early in July, 1880, 
and there was a public sale of lots July 28, 1880. Mr. W. S. Earls, of 
Savannah, bought the first three lots, Nos. 6, 7 and 8, block 6, at $50 
each. We notice that the streets are christened from the names of trees. 
We observe Oak, Walnut, Chestnut, Maple, Ash, Linden and Elm Streets. 

Mr. Blodgett, of the Nodaway Valley Road, was the surveyor of 
the town. The first building, a grocery store, was erected by H. H. 
Joy, who moved a stock of groceries from Union Valley, and com- 
menced 1 usiness about September 1, 1880. 

Several parties began building at this time. Asher & Gibson com- 
menced a building for general merchandise ; Dike & Motter commenced 



.246 HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 

a general store, and Marklin, Earles &-Co. put up two buildings, one for 
hardware and furniture, and the other for general merchandise. T. S. 
Marlin erected a building for hardware ; William McGinnis put up a 
harness shop, and Dr. D. M. Hutt built a drug store. Dr. Charles Impey 
-erected another drug store. A blacksmith shop was built by J. V. 
Parrish, and W. Clark also built a blacksmith shop. A carpenter shop 
was then erected by F. VanAnsdale. About this time quite a number of 
buildings were in process of construction. 'Squire Finney put up a 
hotel and livery stable, and Nathan Burkhead built a restaurant. How- 
ell Bros, established a lumber yard. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first church edifice built in 
Skidmore. It was completed in July, 1881. The Methodist Episcopal 
Church South erected their church edifice, and completed it October 1, 
1 88 1 . The people of Skidmore are alive to the interests of education, 
and have nearly completed a good school house, at a cost of $1,700, 
which is constructed in accordance with modern principles of school 
architecture. 

The first birth in Skidmore was a son to Mr. and Mrs. George Man- 
chester, on November 11, 1880. 

The first death was a son of Mr. H. H. Joy, which occured in 
November, 1880. 

The first marriage in the town of Skidmore was celebrated at the 
residence of the bride's father, Mr. Joseph V. Parrish, on Thursday 
evening, June 23, 1881, when Mr. Hamilton Deffinbaugh was married to 
Miss Ary Bell Parrish, by 'Squire Thomas L. Howden. 

The directors of the school at Skidmore are Win, Ashler, Chairman ; 
E. F. Day and John Picket. The school is in good condition. Calvert 
R. White is the principal. 

A Masonic Hall has been built, but no organization has been effected. 

Skidmore is situated in the fertile valley of the Nodaway River, 
and is surrounded by one of the finest and most beautiful sections of 
land in the state. Located in the exact center of Monroe Township, 
with good railroad facilities, it must necessarily grow in commercial 
importance and in population. Every line of business is well repre- 
sented. Large amounts of live stock and grain are being shipped. As 
an illustration of the business of the new town, Markland, Earls & Co. 
sold $27,500 worth of goods during the year ending October 15, 1881. 
Other firms are equally prosperous. 

In 1 85 1, Downing & Terhune erected a grist and saw mill on the 
Nodaway River, near where Skidmore is now located. It was known as 
the Downing Mill. Mr. M. Skidmore bought the mill in 1864, and sold 
it to G. M. Nash and Hulett Burnett, who continued to run the mill until 
1872, when the Nash Brothers built a better mill. Mr. H. H. Nash runs 
.it now. It is of much value to the new town. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 247 

The population of Skidmore at the present time is about four hun- 
dred. It is a most desirable location for immigrants seeking new homes 
in the west. The health of the new town is excellent, as it has a perfect 
drainage, and the people are thrifty and industrious. In all respects, 
perhaps, there is no better point to make new homes and establish busi- 
ness houses than in Skidmore, so beautifully located in the Nodaway 
Valley, the queen of the valleys of Northwest Missouri. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Asher & Gibson, general merchandise. 

Bariteau, L. A., elevator. 

Burkhad, N., restaurant. 

Class, William, photographer. 

Cox, John, railroad agent. 

Dike, James, general merchandise. 

Dumm, Julia, millinery. 

Dumm, Mollie, millinery. 

Finney, 'Squire, hotel and livery. 

Gankel, John, boots and shoes. 

Horn & Friend, meat market. 

Hiss, John, painter. 

Howell Brothers, lumber dealers. 

Howden, T. L., justice of the peace. 

Hutt, H. M., drug store and physician. 

Huffman, grain elevator. 

Impey, Charles, drug store and physician. 

Joy, H. H., groceries. 

Joy, H. H., postmaster and justice of the peace. 

Lincoln, , blacksmith. 

McGinness, William, harness maker. 

Markland, Earls & Co., hardware, furniture and tin shop. 

Markland & Earls, general merchandise. 

Marlin, T. L., hardware. 

Merrill, John, plasterer. 

Parker, carpenter and joiner. 

Powell, Charles, stock dealer. 

Rogers, H. M., general merchandise. 

Skidmore, Samuel S., notary public. 

Spear, Charles, grain dealer. 

Tilton, E., constable. 

Van Ausdale, J. T., carpenter and joiner. 

Wood, George, livery. 

Wood, James, blacksmith. 



248 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church was organized November 10, 1880. The following are 
the names of the original members : Wesley Clark, Mrs. Lucy Clark, 
Mrs. Catherine Clark, Joseph Van Ausdall, James Parshall, Thos. Clark, 
Stratford Saunders and wife, Marshall Lyle, A. B. Hull, James Day, 
John Pickett, William Barber, W. R. Hays and wife, W. J. Berry and 
wife, William Kennada, Mrs. Julia Clark, Mrs. Polly Lyle, Mrs. Ruthilla 
Parshall, Matilda A. Pickett, Mrs. Wm. Barber, Mrs. Martha Kennada 
and Miss Mary Kennada. Rev. Eri Edmonds is the present pastor. The 
church is prosperous. The church property is valued at $1,600. 

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

In 1880, this church received its organization. The following are 
the names of the original members : John Mast, Mr. McCowen, Albert 
Carver and family, Garrett Long and family, Martha Brown, Mrs. Calver, 
Mrs. B. F. Bagley and James Lassen and wife. Rev. Mr. Hayes is the 
present pastor. The church membership numbers fourteen. Services- 
are held in the M. E. Church South every second Sunday in each, month. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH. 

As early as the year 1847, this church received its organization. 
Preaching services were held in those early days in school houses in the 
neighboroood. The church agreed to the plan of separation, with some 
exceptions, and adhered to the Southern branch of the church in 1846.. 
In 1849, a local separation took place in this neighbood between the two- 
branches. The original members of the church were as follows : Peter 
Noffsinger and wife, Miss Martha Noffsinger, Mrs. Charity Daws, W. V. 
Smith, Jane L. Smith, Mrs. Lucretia Smith and Rebecca Jane Wyatt. 
The membership of the church numbers sixty at the present time. 
The church property is valued at $2,000. Rev. Mr. Falkner supplies 
the church. 



£#ttl#.- ! - 



CHAPTER XIX. 

NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY — PHYSICAL FEA'I URES — EARLY SETTLERS — OHIO SETTLEMENT - BUR- 
LING! ON JUNCTION— OFFICIAL AND BUSINESS DIRECTORY— CHURCHES— SECRET 
ORDERS— ROSEBERRY. 

Nodaway Township is bounded on the north by Atchison and Union 
Townships, on the east by Union and Polk Townships, on the south by 
Polk and Green Townships, and on the west by Green and Lincoln 
Townships. 

On March 29, 1871, occurred the following order of court, establish- 
ing and defining the boundaries of Nodaway Township : 

Ordered, That a new municipal township be established and located 
out of Green and Atchison Townships, commencing at the Nodaway 
River at a point where the township line dividing townships 66 and 65 
crosses the said Nodaway River, thence east on said line to the northeast 
corner of township 65, range 36, thence running south three miles, thence 
running west four miles, thence running south three miles to the town- 
ship line between township 64 and 65, thence running west on said line 
to the Nodaway River, thence north with the meanderings of said river 
to the place ol beginning ; and it is further ordered by the court, that 
the voting precinct be designated at the C. W. Hardesty residence, in 
said township. 

Subsequently a strip of the east end of Nodaway Township, two 
miles from east to west and three miles from north to south, was taken 
off from territory originally belonging to Nodaway and attached to 
Union Township. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Nodaway Township lies in the eastern portion of the Nodaway Val- 
ley, and rises gently from the river eastward. The southern portion of 
the township slopes a little toward the south, and a divide or watershed 
runs clear through the northern portion of the township from east to 
west. Muddy Creek, Kihoga Creek and Carken Branch empty into the 
Nodaway River from the east, Sand Creek and Florida Creek head in 
the southern portion of the township, and the southern branch of Clear 
Creek finds a part of its sources in the northeastern portion of the town- 



250 HISTORY, OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

ship. Along the Nodaway River, in Nodaway Township, are found sev- 
eral lakes, some of them being old beds of the river, and others arising 
from depressions in the land. In the eastern portion of the township 
there is a watershed dividing the waters of Clear Creek from those of 
Sand Creek. The sources of these two water courses approach within 
forty rods of each other. 

There is considerable timber in the north and northeastern portions 
of the township, and also along the Nodaway River. Some stone quar- 
ries are found along the Nodaway. The land in the western and south- 
ern portions of the township is gently rolling, and is counted among the 
best in the county, while the land in the northern and northeastern por- 
tion of the township is considerably rolling, and in places might be 
termed rough. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Among the earliest pioneers in Nodaway Township was Levi Mar- 
tin, who came in 1842, and entered the claim on which Burlington Junc- 
tion now stands. In the same year, John Shepherd settled on an 
adjoining farm, a little south of him, just across the branch. Jesse 
Roberts, Mr. Thomas and his son, John Thomas, took claims about a 
mile west, and a little south of Mr, Martin's. Joseph Hough, at a very 
early day, entered the claim at Corkin's Spring, and John Clark, father 
of W. Clark, bought out his interests in March, 1849. 

THE OHIO SETTLEMENT. 

In 1856, Mr. J. H. Ware, Sr., came from Chillicothe, Ohio, and took 
a claim near Burlington Junction. Mr. Ware was formerly prosecuting 
attorney of Ross County, Ohio. Col. John Davis came soon after and 
bought out the claim of Levi Martin. He afterward sold his farm and 
went to Kansas. Thomas Corkin took a claim in 1862 about two miles 
northwest of where Burlington Junction now stands. Shadrick Cole and 
his son-in-law, Wm. H. Franklin, took claims two miles south of Bur- 
lington Junction. About that time Shadrick Cole took a claim two 
miles south and a little west of them, near the Nodaway River. Austin 
Jones and Wm. B. Sunderland settled half a mile northwest of where 
Burlington Junction now stands, near each other. Thomas Fields, Mr. 
Sunderland's son-in-law, settled on Jones' land and lives there still. 
Wm. Jones, the father of Austin Jones, a man who is well remembered 
for his amiability, spent his time between Nodaway County and Atchi- 
son County. He died about sixteen years ago, and was buried in the 
cemetery near Burlington Junction. James Mitchel settled near Austin 
Jones, one mile north of Burlington Junction. Dr. Myers came nearly 
at the some time, and' took a claim in the Nodaway River Valley. He 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



251 



still lives in Burlington Junction. Soon afterward came George Wilson, 
and took a claim two miles north of Burlington Junction, on the lowest 
terrace of the river. Jesse Walker built a residence one-half mile 
south of Burlington Junction, his farm adjoining the town. There were 
some forty families in the Ohio settlement, who came from the middle 
southern portion of Ohio. The Ohio settlement was composed of men 
who possessed thrift and energy, and they opened and improved some 
of the finest farms in Nodaway County. Ohio farmers have always been 
characterized by intelligence and enterprise, and this settlement did not 
lose any of these characteristics in settling in the Nodaway Valley. 
Many of their farms are still under a high state of cultivation, and their 
houses, fences, orchards, farm implements, and live stock all indicate 
that they have kept abreast of the improvements of the age. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 



Levi Martin, 1842. 
Mr. Thomas, 1842. 
James Roberts, 1842. 
Joseph Hough, 1842. 
Hendricks Lee, 1842. 
James Pickerel, 1842. 
Samuel Bowman, 1842. 
John Clark, 1849. 
Thomas Carkin, 1862. 
Wm. H. Franklin. 
Wm. B. Sunderland. 
William Jones. 
George Wilson. 



Jonathan Shepherd, 1842. 
Jesse Roberts, 1842. 
John Johnson, 1842. 
Hiram Lee, 1842. 
Elijah Bunten, 1842. 
Joseph Bowman, 1842. 
William Smith, 1844. 
J. H. Ware, Sr., 1856. 
Shadrick Cole. 
Austin Jones. 
Thomas Fields. 
Dr. Myers. 
Jesse Walker. 



BURLINGTON JUNCTION. 



When the Wabash Railroad was built through the county in 1879, 
the people predicted that a town would grow up in the Nodaway Valley 
at some point where the railroad crossed it. Acting under this impres- 
sion, a town was laid out one-half a mile east of the Nodaway River, at 
the crossing of the old survey of the Chicago, Burlington and Ouincy 
Railroad with the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad. This town 
was first called Lewiston, for President Lewis, of the Wabash Road. It 
was afterward changed to Cleveland by the people of the Ohio colony, 
because there was another Lewiston in Missouri, and they could not 
secure another post office with the same name. Cleveland grew rapidly 
until it contained about forty buildings. But when the Chicago, Bur- 
lington and Quincy Railroad made a final survey, they crossed the 



252 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Wabash one-half a mile east of this point, on the farm of Colonel Davis, 
and at this point there grew up the town of Burlington Junction. 

In 1842, Levi Martin entered a claim and settled on the land on 
which Burlington Junction now stands. He lived there about eighteen 
years, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then sold out to Colonel 
John Davis, whose son, William H. Davis, still lives on a part of the 
same claim. When Colonel Davis emigrated to Chelsea, Butler County, 
Kansas, he sold his farm to his son, William H. Davis, and his son-in- 
law, Edwin Caldwell. Davis and Caldwell, October 20, 1879, sold their 
interests to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Town Company, com- 
posed of the railroad company, William H. Davis and Charles Caldwell, 
who surveyed and platted the town July 1, 1879. The first lots were sold 
July 3, 1879. 

The first firm doing business in the town was George H. Hotaling & 
Co. They were lumber dealers. 

Clarence Andrews, son of James Andrews, of Maryville, hauled the 
first load of lumber from Maryville to Burlington Junction. 

Wheeler Brothers erected the first business house, commencing it 
July 5, 1879, and July 24, 1879, sold the first goods in the town. 

The next building was erected by D. Bailey, who opened a restaurant. 

The next building was put up by Logan & Messick for general mer- 
chandise. They sold their first goods in Burlington Junction July 27, 

1879- 

Albert Gregory's hardware store was erected next, and G. Hubbell's 
furniture store was completed soon afterward. 

Two drug stores were built about this time, by S. J. Butcher & Co. 
and J. N. Penn & Son. 

After this, numerous other buildings were put up with such rapidity, 
that on January I, 1879, there were over one hundred buildings erected 
or in process of construction. 

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad opened the first rail- 
road office in Burlington Junction, October 9, 1879. The first train 
came in on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, October 20th, 
1879. A car load of grain was shipped October 22, 1879, an ^ shipments 
followed rapidly, business being very active. 

Burlington Junction, located at the junction of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy and the Kansas City and Nodaway Valley Railroads, and 
at their crossing of the main line of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific 
Railroad, also near the junction of the Clarinda Branch with the main 
line of the Wabash, possesses very fine railroad facilities. The town is 
located on a fine roll of land which gives the observer a most beautiful 
prospect. The Nodaway Valley sweeps down from the north unfolding 
its rich alluvial lands beneath one's feet, and the Nodaway River mean- 
ders through the valley fringed with trees on either side, which, at the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 253 

present writing, display those rich autumnal hues characteristic of Amer- 
ican forests, for which they are so justly celebrated. The river bluffs 
play an important part in the economy of nature, and exert a powerful 
influence upon the people dwelling on the great central plains of the 
North American continent. Nature exerts a molding influence on any 
people, and those peoples living on hilly and mountainous districts have 
always developed the highest and best traits in man. The fine arts 
found their home in Greece, and the Canton sprang up amidst the Alps. 
The river bluffs are the opposing forces which nature places in these 
central plains to lift man above a dead level — to develop within him a 
love of the beautiful in nature, and to quicken the highest and best aspir- 
ations of his being. 

Among the rivers of Missouri, the Nodaway — the Indian term for 
placid — has justly been celebrated for its bluffs, its rich pastoral lands, 
and its noble forests. And perhaps no town situated in the Nodaway 
Valley has more picturesque scenery than Burlington Junction. It has 
been justly admired by every traveler, and the image remains in the 
mind long after the view has disappeared from the vision. 

The first marriage in Burlington Junction occurred May 17, 1880, 
when Mr. A. J. Smith and Miss Hester Saffell were united in bonds of 
wedlock by 'Squire Harriff Twins, a boy and girl, were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. J. B. Wilcox, August 31, 1879, the first birth that occurred in Bur- 
lington Junction. The first death was that of Martin Edward Hogan, 
local editor of the Burlington Junction Post, who was shot by Otto 
Sharp, October 9, 1879. He died twelve hours after he was shot. Hogan 
was a deputy constable, and was shot while arresting Sharp. Hogan 
was originally from Terre Haute, Indiana. The circumstances of this 
sad affair are given elsewhere in this boook, under the head of the "Hogan 
Homicide and Otto Sharp Trial." 

The bridge west ol Burlington Junction, across the Nodaway River, 
is built of the best of oak, and is 211 feet long. It was erected at a cost 
of $2,000, and has proved to be of great benefit to the merchants -of 
Burlington Junction. 

Burlington Junction is situated in one of the richest and most fertile 
valleys in the State, and in population, railroad connections, business 
interests, healthfulness and beauty of situation, it offers attractions to be 
considered by all immigrants, who are seeking new homes in the Nod- 
away Valley. 

The town was incorporated December 16, 1879. 

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 

Trustees i879-'8o — G. H. Logan, Chairman ; Thomas Neighbors, 
Secretary ; James F. Anderson, Treasurer ; G. Hubbell, — Gibson. 



2 54 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. ' 

A. B. Montgomery, Marshal. 

Trustees 1881 — D. H. Rockvyell, Chairman ; Edward E. Gittings, 
Daniel Heald, George Hunt, J. C. Morrison. 
John H. Ware, Jr., Treasurer. 
William Chambers, Secretary. 
J. W. Knight, Marshal. 

CITY DIRECTORY OF BURLINGTON JUNCTION. 

Anderson, Joseph T., livery. 

Bollinger, A. S., brickmolder. 

Boulware, W. I., Merchants' Hotel. 

Bramlett & Costlow, hardware. 

Bryant & Charles, publishers Weekly Post. 

Burgan, I., groceries. 

Burk, J. F., druggists. 

Burchfield, W. P., Nebraska House. 

Burdick, W. A., attorney at law. 

Buck & Shaw, barbers. 

Carlisle, A., blacksmith and wagon maker. 

Carr, Frank, sewing machines. 

Chrissinger, I. B., book and news stand, City Hotel. 

Corken, J. D., barber. 

Cowley, J. W., shoemaker. 

Curnutt, C. C, Travelers Hotel. 

Danner, Putnam, flour exchange. 

Dorr, S., grain merchant. 

Dunlavy, W. L., dentist. 

Duffy, D. P., attorney at law. 

Durnall, James, bakery. 

Dyche & Ring, general merchandise. 

Evans, Dr. James, physician. 

Faris, M. S. & Bro., dry goods. 

Fitzhugh, J. W., tinner. 

Gallager, Hugh, saloon. 

Gay, W. R., attorney at law. 

Gardner & Blakesley, meat market. 

Gillett & Son, blacksmiths and wagon makers. 

Girard, Butcher & Co., druggists. 

Gittings & Neighbors, lumber. 

Gregory, A., hardware. 

Gregory, Mrs. J. F., milliner. 

Greenawalt, W. A., Natley House. 

Hendricks, H. A., carpenter. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 255 

Herriff & Son, brickmolders. 

Heald, D., jeweler. 

Hinze, L. C, carpenter. 

Hotaling, George H. & Co., lumber. 

Hubbard, W. O., carpenter. 

Hughes & Thomas, photographers. 

Hull, A., boots and shoes. 

Hunt & Blakesley, meat market. 

Humphrey, Mrs., dress maker. 

Hunt, T. J. & Co., groceries. 

Jayne, J. M., attorney at law. 

Jones Bros., livery. 

Kendig, S. C, photographer. 

Logan, G. H., general merchandise. 

May, G. W., physician. 

McReynolds, J. E., blacksmith and wagon maker. 

Mcintosh, A. J., house mover. 

Mathews, J. C, restaurant. 

Mitchell, J. C, saloon. 

Montgomery & Jones, general merchandise. 

Mounts, G. W., harness maker. 

Myers, D. C, druggist and physician. 

Moore, L. D., carpenter. 

Neighbors, C. C, painter. 

Neighbors, Miss Eva, dressmaker. 

Parker, dry goods and clothing. 

Parrish, Miss Ella, dressmaker. 

Pierce, J. W., carpenter. 

Rocheford, G. B., sewing machines. 

Rocheford, Mrs. G. B., milliner. 

Rundle, Mrs. Kate, milliner. 

Schmander, J., shoemaker. 

Siefke, Mrs. L. A., furniture. 

Sief ke, John, livery. 

Siefke, L. A., sewing machines. 

Simpson, J. H., painter. 

Smith, J. W., groceries. 

Spear, Charles W., grain dealer. 

Stone, Miss Eva, dressmaker. 

Stone, J. R., harness maker. 

Smith, A. J., bakery. 

Stroud, J. T., photographer. 

Tessier, L., clothing and gents' furnishing goods. 

Ware, John, president Commercial Bank. 



256 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Wabash Hotel. 

Wheeler, Andrew, general merchandise. 

Woodard, Mrs. J. B., milliner. 

I HE OHIO M. E. ( HUR< H. 

This church was first organized in the spring of 1861, with C. H. 
Lavis and family, Thomas Casken and family, Miss Hetten Westfall- 
(who is now the wife of Samuel Casken;, and Mrs. Hopsinger as the 
original members.- The services were held in a log school house located 
in section 10, one mile northeast of the present location of Burlington 
Junction, till the erection of the present church building, in [876. Before 
the organization of this church, services were held at intervals at differ- 
ent houses, by Revs. John R. Chamberlain and Buren. Since the organ- 
ization the following ministers have officiated: Revs. Clemmons, Beggs, 
Morehead, Brookman, Hacket, Bishop, Cauley, Shelley. Canden, Shiv- 
ington and Edmond, the present pastor. The church building is a frame 
structure, which cost $2,500, and was dedicated in 1876, by Rev. Benja- 
min St. James Fery, of St. Louis. Present membership, 108 members. 

ST. BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The organization of this church occurred April 1, 1880. At the time 
of the organization there were between fifty and sixty members. Father 
Adelhem dedicated the church. The church property is valued at about 
$1,500. Father Martin is pastor of the church at the present time. 

BURLINGTON LODGE NO. 442, A. F. & A. M., 

was organized under the name of Burlington Junction Lodge U. D. 
April, 1 88 1, with T. J. Hunt, I. B. Chrissinger, T. L. Houston, Geo. H. 
Hunt, Dr. James Evans, Louis Hastness, Frank Carr, Wm. Chambers, 
L. D. Moore, S. F. Guthrie, G. B. Stiffies, John S. Lawvet, L. J. Lynch, 
John Grooms, William Wood, James W. Smith and Joab Nicholas as 
original members. The officers were T. J. Hunt, W. M.; I. B. Chrissinger, 
S. W.; S. !•". Guthrie, J. W.; Louis A. Hastness, Treas.; Wm. Chamber, 
Sec. G. II Hunt, S. D.; Joab Nicholas, J. D.; L. D. Moore, Tyler; L. L. 
Houston, S. S.; Frank Carr, J. S. A charter was granted October 1 3, 
1881, and Nov. 2, 1881, it was delivered and the hall dedicated by Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master E. W. Joy, of Savannah, with the following 
offio 

L. A. Hastness, W. M.; I. B. Chrissinger, S. W\; L. D. Moore, J. W.; 
Dr. James Evan . Treas.; Frank Carr, Sec; Will. R. Gay, S. D.; Perry 
J. Perkins, J. D. ; L. L. Houston, Tyler; Wm. Wood, S. S. and James W. 
Smith, J. S. 



Ills rok\ OF NODAW A\ COt NTY. 

The name and number of tin- lodge was changed from Burlington 
junction Lodge U. D., to Burlington Lodge No. 44.2. The present mem- 
bership is 36, with a bright prospect in the future being in good con- 
dition financially, and having energetic and enterprising men as mem- 
bers. They hold regular communications Saturday evenings on or 
before each full moon. 

NODAWAY \ \l 1 I \ LODGE, NO. 478, t. O. G l\ 

On December n, t88o, (his lodge was organized by Brother Chees- 
man, deputy o\ the Grand Lodge. At the time o( the organization the 
following named persons wore officers oi the lodge: J. 11 Bryant, 
W. C. T.; Miss Grace Danner, W, V. T.; W. J. Sturgeon, W. S.; Mrs I 
F. Gregory, W. A. S ; C. C. Corwin, W. F. S.; Miss Mollie Hewitt, W, 
T.; W. Sutherland, W. M.; Miss Rebecca Rogers, W. A. M.; W M 
Christy, W. C; Miss Lillie Evans, W. 1. G.; Charles Souders, W. O. G. 

The following are the names of the present officers : 1.11. Bryant, 
\Y. C. T.; Mrs. Julia Cay. W. V. 1\; C. E. Evans, W. S.; J. J. Bryant, 
W. F.S.; Mrs. Dr. Evans, W. T.; P. Danner, W. C; rhomas Rosco, W 
M.; M.ss [da Ryan. W. I. (i.; Willie Hotaling, W. O. G. 

The present membership is no. The lodge has done a good work 
in Burlington Junction and vicinity. All new towns pass through that 
peculiar phase oi society which prevails for a time along the borders of 
advancing civilization, the period when the saloon and its votaries seem 
to give complexion to society, lake all new towns, Burlington June 
tion has not been free from these things, Seldom, however, is .1 young 
man, a citizen of the town, now known to be drunk. Drunkenness .\nA 
the discharge of fire-arms in the suburbs of the city, come from out- 
siders, who go to town for a spree. Burlington Junction is becoming 
known as .1 city ^( good morals, and much of this is due to the faithful 
w 01 k ol the ( rood Tempi. n 5 

BUR] tNG rON M N( I l,,N I ODGE NO |«>j. '■ () - O. !•'. 

This lodge was organized February 'i- t88i, and chartered May 10. 
1SS1. The following are the names of the chartei members: Fred. R. 
Nourse, I. B. Chrissinger, James Evans, Frank Hubbell, C ( Neighboi >, 
George Hungate, J. 11. Ware, )v.. William Chambers auA J. F. Gregorj 

The names of the officers al the organization were .is follows: t' C. 
Neighbors, N. G.; Frank Hubbell, V. G.; William Chambers, R, S.; F. 
Nowise, P. S., and J. II Ware, Ji . rreasurei 

kin- following an- the names of the presenl officers : William Cham 
bers, N. G.; William M. (dark, V. G.; Will C. Charles, K . S. 1 W 
Jones, P. S., and J. T. Anderson, Treasurer. The present membership 
ol i his lodge numbers forty-eight. The lodge is in .1 prosperous condition. 



258 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

BURLINGTON JUNCTION LODGE, NO. 2 1 5, A. O. U. W. 

This lodge was chartered April 5, 1881, with the following named 
officers: Putnam Danner, P. M. W.; S. Dorr, M. W.; J. H. Bryant, G. F.; 
W. M. Clark, O.; W. Chambers, Recorder; J. F. Burk, Financier; J. H. 
Ware, Receiver ; G. Hubbell, G.; John Fox, I. W.; S. Sunderland, O. W.; 
and thirty-six charter members. The membership numbers forty-four. 

The names of the present officers are as follows : S. Dorr, P. M. W.; 
J. H. Bryant, M. W.; James Evans, G. F. ; W. Chambers, O.; P. Danner, 
Recorder; John Wren, G. ; J. F. Burk, Financier; J. T. Anderson, 
Receiver; Frank Warren, I. W.; W. H. Thomas, O. W. 

The lodge is in a prosperous condition. 

ROSEBERRY 

is situated one mile east of Burlington Junction. It is the junction of 
the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad with the Clarinda Branch. 
The station house is well arranged for the comfort of travelers. 




CHAPTER XX. 

POLK TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY-I'HYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SE1TLEKS— TOWN OF 
WILCOX BUSINESS DIRECTORY-PLATTING OF MARY VILLE— ADDITIONS- -MARY- 
VILLE-FIRST SETTLERS— PIONEER BUSINESS MEN-PRIVATE SCH( >OL>-ACADA- 
M1ES— PUBLIC SCHOOLS — MARYVILLE BUSINESS COLLEGE - SECRET ORDERS- 
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES-CHURCHES— BANK * AND BANKERS— NEWSPAPERS- FIRE 
DEPARTMENT — CEMETERIES-TOWN OFFICERS-MARYVILLE AS IT IS— BUSINESS 
DIRECTORY -POSTMASTERS. 

POLK TOWNSHIP. 

As now organized Polk Township lies nearly in the center of the 
county. It contains 121 square miles, lying eleven miles square, and is 
the largest township in the county. As the boundaries of this township 
have been changed since its first organization, we cite the several orders 
of the court modifying boundary lines, to present a historic view of the 
boundaries of the township from its first organization to the present 
time. 

At the May term, 1845, the county court laid off Polk Township 
with the following bounds, to wit : 

"Beginning at the northeast corner of Washington Township, 
thence west with said township line till it intersects White Cloud Town- 
ship line, thence westvvardly with said line till it intersects the line of 
Atchison Township, thence north with the east line of the aforesaid 
township to the southeast corner of Buchanan Township, thence east- 
wardly so as to include the Gray settlement and the Mowry houses 
beween the One Hundred and Two and Platte Rivers, thence east to the 
eastern boundary of Nodaway County, thence south to the place of 
beginning." 

On March 19, 1861, the court made the following order, changing 
the western boundary line of Polk Township : 

" The petition presented to this court at the February term thereof, 
by Alonzo Thompson, and signed by himself and thirty-eight other 
citizens of Green and Polk Townships, praying this court to change the 
western boundary line of the municipal township of Polk, in this county, 
is granted by the court. It is therefore ordered by the court, that the 
western boundary line of said Polk Township, which is also the eastern 
line of Green Township, be changed from its present location on the 



26o HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

range line, between ranges 35 and 36, so as to commence on the west 
side of section number 35, township 64, range 36, at the southwest corner 
of said section, thence to run due north, continuing two miles west of 
the original boundary line thus changed, until it reaches the northern 
boundary of said Polk Township, as prayed for in said petition, and it is 
further ordered that the clerk of this court certify this order to the sec- 
retary of state as the law directs." 

On June 14, 1866, the court reorganized Polk Township, with the 
present boundary lines, as follows : 

Commencing at the northeast corner of section 19, township 65, 
range 34, thence west on section line between sections 8 and 19, town- 
ship 65, range 34, and sections 13 and 24, 14 and 23, 15 and 22, 10 and 
21, 17 and 20, 18 and 19, township 65, range 35, and sections 13 and 24, 
T4 and 23, 15 and 22, 16 and 21, township 65, range 36, to the northwest 
corner of section 21, same township and range, thence south between 
sections 20 and 21, 28 and 29, 32 and 33, in township 65, range 36, and 
sections 4 and 5, 8 and 9, 16 and 17, 20 and 21, 28 and 29, 32 and 33, 
township 64, range 36, and sections 4 and 5, 8 and 9, to the northwest 
corner of section 9, township 63, range 36, thence east on section line 
between sections 9 and 16, 10 and 15, 11 and 14, 12 and 23, township 63, 
range 36, and sections 7 and 18, 8 and 17, 9 and 16, 10 and !<$, II and 14, 
12 and 13, township 63, range 35, and sections 7 and 18, to township 63, 
range 34, to the southwest corner of township 63, range 34, thence north 
between sections 7 and 8, 5 and 6, township 6}, range 34, and sections 
31 and 32, 29 and 30, 19 and 20, 17 and 18, 7 and 8, 5 and 6, township 64, 
range 34, and sections 31 and 32, 29 and 30, 19 and 20, to the northeast 
corner of section 19, township 65, range 34, to the place of beginning. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The physical features of the township are somewhat uniform, but 
present enough variety for the highest agricultural uses and for a^sthet- 
ical purposes. The land lies gently sloping toward the south, so that 
the streams have a southern flow. About one-third of the distance 
from the eastern boundary flows the One Hundred and Two River 
through the township from north to south, its main affluents being the 
Mowry, Mozingo and White Cloud. The valley of the One Hundred 
and Two River varies from half a mile to a mile in width, and belts of 
timber are found all along this stream, affording all the usual varieties 
known in Northwest Missouri. White Cloud Creek flows through the 
western portion of the township, making an elbow toward the west, and 
is fairly wooded as far north as Maryville. A water shed runs across 
the northwestern corner of the township and passes partly down the 
western side, dividing the headwaters of the W r hite Cloud from the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 26 1 

sources of the south branch of Clear Creek and of Florida Creek, which 
flow into the Nodaway River. 

Polk Township is well adapted for agricultural purposes. The soil 
of the uplands is of a rich vegetable mold, and varies from one to three 
feet in thickness. The soil of the valleys is a rich black alluvium, and 
varies from three to ten feet in depth. 

Corn is a' staple crop, and winter wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, 
hemp, flax, millet and sorghum are all raised in greater or less quanti- 
ties. Most of the fruits in this latitude flourish, and grapes are raised 
in profusion. All the grasses do well — the blue grass finding a con- 
genial soil here, displacing in its growth to a considerable extent the wild 
prairie grasses. 

Stock raising has become one of the leading industries of the town- 
ship, and the highest grades of cattle and hogs have been introduced. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settlements in Polk Township were made along the One 
Hundred and Two River and the White Cloud. Thomas Adams was 
the first settler in the township. He came from some of the lower coun- 
ties of Missouri in 1840, and took a claim in the north part of what is 
now the city of Maryville. He built a cabin in the grove which has 
since received the name of Adams' Grove. This grove contains 1,000 
acres of land, and the timber is made up largely of Burr oak. Mr. 
Adams cleared twenty acres of land and opened a little farm. In 1849, 
he sold out and went to Texas. 

Noah Garren came in 1840, and located in a grove on the ridge 
four miles southeast of Maryville, and one mile east of the One Hun- 
dred and Two River. He lived there until 1849, when he moved to the 
northeast part of Nodaway County.' 

In 1840, John Mozingo and his two sons, Allen and Silas, emigrated 
from Culpepper County, Tennessee, and took a claim four miles south- 
east of Maryville, on the bottom, on the east side of the One Hundred 
and Two River. He built a log cabin and improved a farm. He was a 
hunter, and noted for his hospitality. Allen and Silas took claims near 
their father. Allen died in 1878, but Silas is still living. The boys were 
hunters and kept hounds for the chase. He had a very strong voice, 
and neighbors have heard him calling his stock for three miles. 

John Trosper came from Tennessee in 1840, and took a claim three 
miles east of the present town of Maryville and one mile east of the 
One Hundred and Two, in the timber. He built a small log cabin 14X 
14 feet, which was a type of many of the houses of those days. The 
end of the house was cut out and a chimney of notched poles con- 
structed, daubed inside and outside with mortar. The chimney had a 



262 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

mud back and jambs. Two square rocks were used for andirons. A 
few seedling apple trees were raised, two of which are still standing, as 
large in diameter as a flour barrel. Some years these trees bear twenty 
bushels each. One of the trees has been split down, but a portion of 
the tree is alive and vigorous. Two cherry trees are still standing, a 
foot in diameter, and occasionally bear a good crop of cherries. Mr. 
Trosper was a hunter and very hospitable. He went to Kansas in i860, 
and is now deceased. 

The Lanham brothers came in 1841, and settled on the One Hun- 
dred and Two River, four miles east and a little north of the present 
site of Maryville. Their claims were near each other in the timber, one 
mile and a half east of the One Hundred and Two River. They both 
went to Texas. 

William Saunders, brother of James Saunders, came in the year 
1846, and traded for land in the north part of the town. He was mur- 
dered and robbed in Maryville in 1879. His family still reside here. 

In 1843, John Jackson came from Ohio and settled on a claim, two 
miles north of Maryville. He was treasurer of Nodaway County from 
1845 to 1849. He was a good farmer and an estimable man. He died 
in 1873. At the organization of the count}- the revenue was very small, 
amounting one year to only $300. One year the treasurer only received 
$1.25 for his services. Mr. Jackson kept his office at his home. 

A. Terhune emigrated from Indiana and arrived in Andrew County 
in the spring of 1841. He located six miles north and a little west of 
the present site of Savannah at Bennett's Lane. This was the first 
place in that section where enough settlers' farms were contiguous when 
fenced in, to form a road. Bennett's Lane was known all through 
Andrew and Nodaway Counties. The lane ran north and south about 
three miles. On the east side of the lane were located the farms of 
Elisha, John, Isaiah and William Bennett, and also the farms of Mr. 
Hayes who cam; with them, and Joshua Wilson. On the west side of 
the lane were located the farms of Jacob Bohart, John Farrens, David 
Terhune, David Brock, Lyman Ashley and A. Terhune. 

A. Terhune lived there until 1848, when he moved to Nodaway 
County and settled one mile north of where Skidmore now is, where he 
built the fourth mill in the county. 

In 1 841, when he came to Andrew Count)-, there was only one corn 
cracker, called Davis & Stanberry's Mill, on the One Hundred and Two. 
It was located three miles east of the present town of Savannah. 

Hollister's Mill on the Nodaway, two miles west of the present town 
of Fillmore, was the next mill in Andrew County, built in the year 1842. 

The next mill in Andrew County was built in 1843, on Lincoln 
Creek, four or five miles west of where Savannah now is. 

White Hall was a very small place and had only a few goods for sale. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 263 

Settlers went to Liberty, Clay County, to secure anything of impor- 
tance in the line of merchandise or flour. Some of the settlers would 
volunteer and go to Liberty for a wagon load of groceries, etc., which 
would be divided among the neighbors. It took about eight days to go 
to Liberty and return with ox teams, two or three yoke being attached 
to a wagon. Often two neighbors would go together, sleeping in the 
wagon and killing game and cooking their food along the way. 

Erastus Downing and A. Terhune built the fourth mill, a frame 
building, in Nodaway Count)* on the Nodaway River, near where the 
present town of Skidmore is located. It took two years time to erect 
and complete the mill, which only had one run of stone. The irons for 
the mill were procured from St. Louis. Downing was a blacksmith, and 
forged out the bar iron for the sawmill which was at the same point and 
in the same building on the river. 

Mr. Terhune sold his interest in the mill to E. Downing in 185 1, and 
went to a point on the Nodaway River, where Quitman is now located, 
and bought a mill site of Hiram Lee, who had been there several years, 
and who built the third mill in Nodaway County. Mr. Lee had put a 
log across the stream, about eighty feet long, in sections, then put in 
brush and rock above and earth upon the rock to make a dam. The 
flume where the water was let into the mill was made of split puncheons. 
The mill house was made of round logs from the bed rock up. In that 
mill was a pair of "nigger heads," as the pioneer called them, or home- 
made burrs, constructed out of "lost rocks " or boulders. The wheel was 
a wooden tub wheel. The capacity of the mill was fifteen bushels of corn 
a day. For toll the miller took out one-eighth. The mill made good 
meal. This structure, in the spring of 1852, was entirely washed away, 
and was a total loss. 

Immediately after this, Mr. Terhune put up a frame structure for 
both a grist and saw mill. In the fall of 1852, after the mill was running 
several months, there came a freeze, mush ice drifted down the Nodaway, 
and lodged above the dam, the river rose on account of the gorge, and 
washed out eighty feet around the end of the dam, the water running in 
the new channel eight feet deep. Mr. Terhune worked all winter, and 
stopped the wash around so that the mill run again, and was in excellent 
order. Mr. Terhune sold out his mill in 1853 to Rankin Russell, who was 
the founder of Quitman. 

Mr. Terhune then removed to Andrew County and went on to his 
large farm. He remained there three years, and then moved near Mary- 
ville, and bought a farm of eighty acres, formerly owned by James Ray, 
for $1,200. Foity acres were under cultivation. The eastern portion of 
Maryville now extends on to this farm. He then bought in i860, 500 
acres adjoining Maryville on the southeast. He kept this farm until 
1878. When Mr. Terhune came to the county in 1856, he brought a 



264 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

steam saw mill and put it up on the One Hundred and Two River two 
miles and a half east of Maryville. After this he kept store and tavern 
in Maryville and handled live stock. 

Other old settlers who located in Polk Township before the year 1850: 

Jesse Harris. 

James Ingles. 

John Mozingo. 

James Vaughn. 

William Ingles. 

Green McCafferty. 

Daniel Swearingen. 

John Scott, Maryville. 

C. S. Burns, Maryville. 

Henry Swearingen, Sr. 

L. M. Jester, Maryville. 

A. T. Jenkins, Maryville. 

Amos Graham, Maryville, 

John Saunders, Maryville. 

L. B. Torrance, Maryville. 

Andrew Jordan, Maryville. 

William Bowen, Maryville. 

James Saunders, Maryville. 

William Saunders, Maryville. 

Benjamin Torrance, Maryville. 

Benjamin F. Simms, Maryville. 

John Belew, one mile east of Maryville. 

John Trosper, three miles east of Maryville. 

Peter Trosper, three miles east of Maryville. 

Isaac Cox, five miles southwest of Maryville. 

John Collett, six miles northeast of Maryville. 

Jacob Shepherd, three miles east of Maryville. 

James Ray, one-quarter mile east of Maryville. 

John Jackson, one-half mile north of Maryville. 

Wilhite, two miles southeast of Maryville. 

Isaac Lannan, six miles northeast of Maryville. 

Foster, three miles southeast of Maryville. 

Copple, three miles southeast of Maryville. 

Andrew Shepherd, three miles east of Maryville. 

William Ray, one-quarter mile east of Maryville. 

Thomas Ray, one-quarter mile east of Maryville. 

Thomas Adams, one half mile north of Maryville. 

Leroy Snoderly, one-half mile north of Maryville. 

John McKnight, two miles southeast of Maryville. 

James Ray, Jr., one-quarter mile east of Maryville. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 265 

William McKnight, two miles southeast of Maryville. 
John A. Alexander, five miles southwest of Maryville. 
Joseph E. Alexander, five miles southwest of Maryville. 

WILCOX. 

The town of Wilcox is located on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific 
Railroad, six and three-tenths miles by railroad, and eight miles by 
wagon road northeast of Maryville. The town was named in honor of 
B. S. Wilcox, who owned about two hundred acres of land where the 
town is situated. Mr. Wilcox lives in Hamden Junction, Ohio. The 
town is finely located on high rolling prairie land, on the divide between 
the headwaters of Clear Creek, running northwest, and the sources of 
Sand Creek and Florida Creek, running southwest, and those of the 
White Cloud running south. The Western Improvement Company of 
Missouri, composed of W. H. Blodgett, N. F. Grover, and J. G. Ander- 
son, laid out the town in the fall of 1879. The Town Company bought 
of Mr. Wilcox eighty acres of land at ten dollars an acre. They 
platted about twenty-five acres in town lots. The town is located on 
the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 
65, range 36, and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 33, township 65, range 36. The section line running north and 
south between Polk and Nodaway Townships coincides with second 
street, the town lying in both townships. The lots have been disposed 
of at private sale. The first lot, lot 2, block 5, was sold to Bickett & 
Stanhope, February 1, 1880, at twenty-five dollars. 

.The second lot was sold to A. L. Bickett August 15, 1880, at $25. It 
was lot 3, block 5, and was used for a dwelling. 

Kirkpatrick & Son bought the third lot, lot 2, block 2, in August, 
1880. 

The depot building was put up before any structure was erected in 
the town, and was completed December, 1879. 

The first building in town was a blacksmith shop, erected by Bickett 
& Stanhope, and was completed in February, 1880. The second build- 
ing was put up by A. L. Bickett for a dwelling, and was completed in 
February, 1880. Soon after this C. T. Stanhope erected a dwelling, 
which was finished in March, 1880. Kirkpatrick & Son then put up a 
building, which was used for a grocery store. R. A. Burge soon erected 
a store building, which was completed in 1880. The section house was 
built during the year 1880. About this time a dwelling was put up by 
A. W. McGwigan, who moved into it. Samuel Hall erected a dwelling, 
which was completed in August, 1880. J. J. Stark next put up a 
dwelling, which was completed in the year 1881. In July of the same 
year Elijah Whitton built a dwelling. 



266 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Adjoining the town plat L. S. Phillips erected a dwelling in August, 
1881, and S. Cain also put up one the same year. 

A good school house was completed October 20, 1881. Miss Minnie 
Ulrich is the principal of the schoo 1 , which is in excellent condition. 
There are fifty-five pupils in attendance at the present time. Religious 
services are held in the school house by the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 

The directors of the school at the present time are as follows : J. L. 
Lance, J. Mustain and W. H. Jones. 

The first marriage in the town was that of Mr. French Carter and 
Miss Celine Hefflin, in September, 188 1. 

The first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Cain, which 
occurred in September, 1880. 

The first death was that of Mrs. Henry Shell, which occurred Novem- 
ber r, 1881. 

The second birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. M. Ryan, in 1881. 

The population of the town at the present time is about sixty. 

A debating society was organized in November, 1 88 1 . The society 
has started out well, and holds weekly meetings in the school house. 
The meetings are well attended. 

Wilcox is very pleasantly located, in a rich district of country, and 
will make a good point for business. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Bickett, A. L., blacksmith. 

Booth & Glaze, druggists. 

Glaze, J. T., physician. 

Nienhuser, general merchandise. 

Phillips, L. S., postmaster. 

Phillips L. S., depot agent and grain buyer. 

Ryan, Michael, boarding house for railroad. 

Stratton, N. J., elevator. 

Ulrich, Minnie, teacher. 

White, A. D., boarding house. 

PLATTING OF MARYYILLE AND SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONS. 

Messrs. Brown & Montgomery, real estate agents and abstracters, 
Maryville, Mo., kindly furnished the following statement of the original 
platting of Maryville, with the subsequent additions thereto : 

The land (the southwest quarter of section 17, in township 64, range 
35,) upon which the original town of Maryville is situated, was granted to 
the State of Missouri by the United States in 1841, by an act of Con- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 267 

gress. It was selected by the State for internal improvements Novem- 
ber 11, 1844, ar, d was patented by the state to Nodaway County January 
15, 1848. The consideration was $1.25 per acre. The town was laid 
out and platted September 1, 1845 by the county court. 

The first lot sold was lot 4, block 9, by Thomas Baker, commissioner 
for the county, to Amos Graham, June 15, 1846. The consideration was 
$5.25. The next conveyance was by James L. Ray, commissioner, to 
Thomas N. Johnson, being lot 6, block 3. The lot was sold March 29, 
1847, and the consideration was $30. 

The Southern Extension or Addition was laid out and platted in the 
spring of 1857. The first sale in this addition was by Henry T. Walker, 
commissioner, to Alonzo Thompson, conveying a large portion of the 
addition. This sale occurred December 16, 1859- 

The Northwest Addition was platted March 9, 1857. The first con- 
veyance was from John T. Boyles and Levi Pickens to Jesse Stephenson, 
April 27, 1857, and comprised an undivided fourth of the entire addition. 

M. G. Roseberry's Addition was platted June 15, 1868. 

The first conveyance was lots I and 2, in block 9, by Mr. Roseberry 
to Persins E. Ashford. 

W. M.Charles' Addition was platted September 9, 1868. The first 
sale was block 2, by Mr. Charles to A. Royal, on October 19, 1868. 

T. L. Robinson's First Addition was platted December 9, 1868. The 
first conveyance was lots 3 and 4, in Union Block, by Mr. Robinson to 
Win. H. H. McLain, March 4, 1868. 

Morton's Addition was made July 1, 1869. The first conveyance was 
made July 1, 1869, by L. V. Morton to A. H. Frazee. It consisted of 
lots 3 and 4, in block 1. 

Wm. B. Jones' Addition was made September 28, 1S69, and the first 
conveyance was by Wm. B. Jones to James I. George, October I, 1869, 
and consisted of lot I, block 3. 

The Maryville City Company Addition was made December 21, 
1869. The first conveyances were to a number of parties, April 9, 1870. 

Hasting's Addition was made January 18, 1870. The first sale was 
made by Fred Hastings to Wm. Brady, January 18, 1870, and consisted 
of lot 8, block 32. 

M. W. Charles' Second Addition was made February 16, 1870, and 
the first conveyance was by M. W. Charles to Newton W. and Alvin S. 
Charles, February 17, 1870, and consisted of the undivided fourth of the 
addition. 

Torrance's Addition was made in March, 1870. The first sale was 
effected April 9, 1870, by B. F. Torrance, et al. to Henry Rokes, and 
comprised lots I and 2, block 1. 

Saunders' Addition was made in the year 1870. Wm. Saunders con- 
veyed, May 10, 1870, to F. B. McGrew the east half of block 4. 



268 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Dunn's Addition was also made in 1870. S. M. Dunn, June ir, 1870, 
conveyed to John E. Hudson lots 5 and 6, block 1. 

E. S. Stephenson's Addition bears date of June 11, 1870. E. S. 
Stephenson, May 27, 1870, conveyed a large portion of the addition to 
the Maryville City Company. 

Chamberlain's First Fruit Addition was made July 20, 1870. The first 
conveyance, of lot 3, was effected July 30, (870, by David Chamberlain 
to J. S. Mow. 

Prather's Addition bears date of June 21, 1875. On that day James 
B. Prather conveyed to James W. Markwell lots 1, 2, and 3, western 
boundary. 

T. L. Robinson's Second Addition was made May, 1879. 

L. A. Baritean's Addition is dated August 14, 1879. 

John G. Costello's Addition was made February 10, 188 1. 

De Atley's Addition is dated April 8, 188 1. 

MARYVILLE. 

The town of Maryville was incorporated in 1856, but the order of 
incorporation was annulled in 1857. It was again incorporated in 1859, 
but the organization lapsed, probably on account of the war. In 1866, 
it was again incorporated, but disincorporated in 1869. We find the 
following order of court, for the incorporation of Maryville (the town of 
Maryville), of record, dated July 19, 1869: 

" Now, at this day, comes I. V. McMillan, M. G. Roseberry, et al. r 
and present a petition to this court, setting forth the metes and bounds 
of the Town of Maryville, and its commons, in the County of Nodaway, 
and praying that they may be incorporated, and a police established for 
the local government, and for the preservation and regulation of the 
commons appertaining to said Town of Maryville, and the court being 
satisfied that two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants of said Town of Mary- 
ville have signed said petition, and that the prayer of said petitioners is 
reasonable ; it is therefore declared and ordered by the court that said 
Town of Maryville be incorporated, and that the metes and bounds 
thereof be known and designated as follows, to wit : Commencing at the 
point in the center of section No. seventeen (17), in township No. sixty- 
four (64), of range No. thirty-five (35), running thence west on the half 
section line two hundred and forty rods (240), to the northwest corner of 
the northeast fourth of the southeast quarter of section No. eighteen 
(18), in township No. sixty-four (64), of range No. thirty-five (35), thence 
south on quarter section line two hundred and forty rods (240), to the 
southwest corner of the northeast fourth of the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion No. nineteen (19), in township No. sixty-four (64), of range No. 
thirty-five (35), thence east on quarter section line eighty (80) rods, to 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 269 

the northeast corner of the southeast fourth of the northeast 
quarter of section No. nine (9), thence south on the section line 
between sections No. nineteen and twenty C19 and 20) in town- 
ship No. sixty-four (64), range No. 35 (35), eighty (80) rods to the 
southeast corner of the northeast quarter of said section No. nineteen 
(19), thence east in the half section line two hundred and forty rods 
(240) to the southeast corner of the southwest fourth of the northeast 
quarter of section No. twenty (20), in township No. sixty-four (64), of 
range No. thirty-five (35), thence north on quarter section line eighty 
(80) rods, to the southwest corner of the northeast fourth of the north- 
east quarter of said section No. twenty (20), thence east on the quarter 
section line eighty rods, (80), to the southeast corner of the northeast 
fourth of the northeast quarter of said section No. twenty (20), thence 
north on the section line between sections No. sixteen (16), seventeen 
(17), twenty (20) and twenty-one (21), in township No. sixty-four (64), 
of range No. thirty-five (35), one hundred and sixty rods, (160), to the 
northeast corner of the southeast fourth of the southeast quarter of said 
section No. seventeen (17.), thence west on the quarter section line one 
hundred and sixty rods, (160), to the northwest corner of the southwest 
fourth of the southeast quarter of said section No. seventeen (17), thence 
north on the half section line eighty (80) rods to the center of said sec- 
tion No. seventeen (17), to the place of beginning, and including the 
southwest and south half of the southeast quarter of section No. seven- 
teen (17), the east half of the southeast quarter of section No. eighteen 
(18), the northeast fourth of the northeast quarter of section No. nineteen 
(19). the northwest quarter, and the north half and the southwest fourth 
of the northeast quarter of section No. twenty (20), all in township No. 
sixty-four (64), of range No. thirty-five (35), containing in all six hundred 
and forty acres, more or less, all of which is accepted by the court, and 
ordered that the town of Maryville be, and the same is hereby incor- 
porated, as provided by law regulating towns and villages, as prayed in 
said petition. 

The first trustees of the town appointed, at its re-incorporation in 
1869, by the County Court, were William B. Jones, Chairman ; A. A. 
Minnier, William Anderson, R. H. Cox and T. L. Robinson, who selected 
for their first clerk D. L. Palmer, and I. T. McMillan for attorney. 

The first settler in what is now the city of Maryville, was Thomas 
Adams, who came here from some of the lower counties in Missouri in 
1840, and took a claim in the grove north of the present city of Mary- 
ville. He built a cabin in the north part of the town near the grove. 
In 1849 he moved to Texas. 

Mr. Atkinson came from Tennessee in 1843, and lived in the east 
part of town, east of the Court House. He was a farmer and lived here 
about three years, when he sold his farm to Mr. George who lived here 



270 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

when the town was located. This farm was afterward bought by James 
Ray, who came here in 1845 from Page County, Iowa, but originally 
emigrated from Kentucky. Mr. Ray was the father-in-law of James 
Saunders. He died five years ago. 

James Ray, Jr., son of James Ray, opened a stock of mixed mer- 
chandise in a store, built of cottonwood logs, in what is now Judge 
Alexander's yard. The store was on the opposite corner east from the 
old log court house. He also had a gun shop and made and repaired 
guns. Some of the best guns in Maryville at the present day were 
manufactured by James Ray, Jr., in that shop. At the time of the Cali- 
fornia gold excitement, in 1850, he went to California, and now lives in 
Montana. 

Caleb P. Burns came from Andrew County in 1844, and took a claim 
of 160 acres west of the original town of Maryville. He built a log 
house and opened a farm. In 1849, at the time of the gold excitement, 
he went to California, but now lives in Texas. He was deputy sheriff 
when Nodaway County was included in Andrew County. This farm 
contained the land included in the Burns' Addition to the city of 
Maryville. 

About the time of the commencement of our civil war there was an 
exchange of farms between persons living in Missouri and Texas. George 
Downing took Nathan Murphy's land in Missouri ; Murphy took Caleb 
P. Burns' land in Missouri, and Burns took Downing's land in Texas. 

In 1845 Amos Graham came from Washington County, Kentucky, 
and built a log house where William Graves lived, north of the Southern 
Methodist Church, near the boundary of the original town. He was 
County Clerk, Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Nodaway County. He pre- 
empted a claim in the southwest part of the town, and built a house on 
his claim. He was a representative in the legislature. He died in 1864. 
Mary Graham, his wife, still lives in the southern portion of the city, on 
a part of the original land pre-empted by Mr. Graham. As she was the 
first white woman in the original town the county court named the city 
in honor of her. She has a most comfortable home, is held by all in the 
highest esteem, is surrounded by a large circle of friends, and in advanced 
age is enjoying the comforts and honors of pioneer life. Charles Gra- 
ham, her son, lives in Maryville, and is township clerk and assessor. 

John Saunders emigrated originally from Kentucky, and came to 
Buchanan County, Missouri, where he lived two years. In May, 1845, 
he moved to Maryville. He received permission to put a stock of goods 
in the old log court house, which was located on the ground now occu- 
pied by C. C. Dittmer's establishment for agricultural implements. He 
soon built a store house and dwelling combined, just south of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and removed his stock of goods from the old 
court house to his new building. He hauled the lumber for his building 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 2J\ 

from Allen's Mill, in Andrew County. This was afterwards called Ogle's 
Mill, and is now known as Rosendale. Mr. Saunders fenced in two or 
three hundred acres of land, now covered more or less by the southeast- 
ern portion of the city of Maryville. The farm included the present 
Agricultural Fair Grounds. Mr. Saunders had a very large trade in 
mixed merchandise, and bought and handled nearly all the live stock in 
this region. He was a first-class business man, and had an expeditious 
way of taking an inventory when buying goods. He would step into a 
store, pass the goods in review, state rapidly what he would give for such 
and such shelves of goods, and so pass over the entire stock, offer to turn 
over so much live stock and cash, as the case might be, strike a bargain 
at once, and take possession of the stock of goods. He had such an inti- 
mate knowledge of the values of goods and live stock, and such a capac- 
ity for business, that he could estimate values in bulk very exactly, and 
without loss of time. He had five sons : William, James, John, Richard 
and Robert, all of whom have inherited more or less the business traits 
of their father. 

In the fall of 1845, August Gamarsh came from St. Louis and built 
a frame store house where Smith Bros, are now located, and opened a 
stock of mixed merchandise. He remained in business two or three 
years and removed to St. Louis, where he is still living. Alfred Michau t 
his clerk, went to St. Louis with him, but returned in 185 I to Maryville. 
He removed to St. Joseph in 1864. Mr. Michau married Miss Nancy 
Saunders. He is still largely interested financially in Nodaway County. 

A. T. Jenkins originally emigrated from Kentucky, and resided in 
Buchanan County two years. He then came to Nodaway County, and 
lived in the family of and went into business with John Saunders. He 
married Martha Saunders. About 1 861, he went to Nebraska and after- 
ward to Kansas City, where he died. He was a successful business man. 

Judge Joseph E. Alexander came to Nodaway County in 1842, and 
located six miles south of Maryville on a claim. In 1861, he moved to 
Maryville, and still lives on the same place where he located. He was 
sheriff of Nodaway County. 

Benjamin F. Torrance emigrated from New York and came to St. 
Joseph in 1838, where he resided until 1850, when he moved to Mary- 
ville, where he has resided ever since. He started the Maryville Reporter, 
in 1859, which was the first newspaper ever published in Maryville. 

In 1841, James B. Prather came from Mercer County, Kentucky and 
settled on a farm eight miles south of where Maryville is now situated. 
In 1856 he moved to Maryville. He was elected sheriff of Nodaway 
County in 1856, and clerk of the circuit court in 1859. He still resides 
in Maryville, and is engaged in the drug business. 

James Vaughn sold the first goods in Maryville in 1845, and he 
received the same year the first dram shop license. August Gamarsh 



272 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

opened a general store in the following spring of 1846. John Saunders 
next opened a general store of mixed stock in 1847. — Hulbert started 
a blacksmith shop in 1846. James Ray opened a gunsmith shop on lot 
4, block 9, of the original town, being part of the property now owned 
by Judge J. E. Alexander. The first carpenters were Isaac Cox, J. E. 
Alexander, B. F. Simms, and S. M. Jester. At that time there was no 
pine lumber here, nothing but native lumber being used. Judge J. E. 
Alexander hewed the logs from which was constructed one of the first 
school houses in the count}'. This school house was built in White 
Cloud Township, on or near the present site of the Baptist Church, in 
which an early session of the county court was held. 

The first brewery in Nodaway County was built in the eastern part 
of Maryville in 1855, and was known as the old Karaus Brewery. The 
building still stands on the old site, but is not occupied now as a 
brewery. A few years afterward William Sutter built, and for years 
occupied what now constitutes a part of the present brewery, about half 
a mile north of the city. This building fell into the hands of Peter 
Neisendorfer, the present owner, who greatly enlarged it. About the 
year 1855, the Collett Bros, operated a blacksmith and repair shop on 
the present site of the bank of Saunders & Co. William Turpin had a 
saloon and restaurant on the present site of the Farmers' Bank about 
the same date, and this business was conducted at the last named point 
by different persons until the year 1872, at which time Messrs. Fisher, 
Jackson & Co. purchased the ground and built their present elegant 
bank edifice. 

The first resident lawyer was James Dews. He located in the town 
in 1847, and acted as deputy postmaster. After him came Warren and 
J. C. Griffey, who constituted the bar of Nodaway County until about 
i860. This number has been gradually increased until it now numbers 
twenty-five. 

The first flouring mill was built by George Huebuch, in May, 1868. 
This mill is now owned by E. J. Williams, and is the only flouring mill 
in Maryville. 

H. A. Avery was the pioneer carriage maker in Maryville. He came 
here from Cooper County, Missouri, and started his factory in 1868. He 
has been engaged in the same business ever since. 

W. A. Walters and J. J. Bender operated the first woolen mill in 
Maryville. The mill was moved here from Quitman in 1877. 

The first planing mill was run by H. G. Harmon, the present owner, 
in the spring of 1874. Mr. Harmon has been in the same business con- 
tinually ever since. 

The Pioneer Elevator was built by J. C. Waterman & Co., in the 
year 1877. The Maryville Elevator, now the Wabash Elevator, was built 
by Poley, Welch & Co, in the year 1878. 




^AlrHAro 4^-&sfasi 



'/%<i/m/ 



(deceased) 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 273 

The first sewing machine was sold by G. W. Smith, in 1868, to Mrs. 
M. J. Blair, who still lives in Maryville. It was a Wheeler & Wilson 
machine. 

James Ray was the first gunsmith. He came from Kentucky in 
1854, and opened a gunshop opposite the old log court house. 

R. F.Connor was the first tailor. He came from Kentucky in 1841. 
His shop was located where Smith & Bean's clothing store now stands. 
He is living now in Clarinda, Iowa. 

The first sewing society was connected with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. 

Joshua Sayster owned the first dray. When the Kansas City Rail- 
road was completed to Maryville, he started a dray to accommodate the 
business men. 

John Saunders built, in 1852, the first brick building in Maryville. 
It was a dwelling where Mrs. Jones now lives. 

The Good Templars organized the first temperance society in 1854. 
The meetings were held in the court house. 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 

The first school ever taught in Maryville, was in the summer of 
1847 and 1848, by Mr. Samuel M. Dews. It was a subscription school 
and was taught in the old court house, (log building,) that stood on the 
southwest corner of Main and Second Streets. The pupils of the first 
school were John Saunders, Richard Saunders, Sarah A. Jackson, Joseph 
Jackson, Jonathan Ray, Reuben Ray, Sophia Byers, Hosea Torrance, 
T. P. Torrance, Miles Lewis, Frank Lewis, William Bowen and James 
Morgan, and a few others whose names we have been unable to get. 
Mr. Dews afterward practiced law, being also the first lawyer in town, 
and finally went to Kansas City, where he now resides. 

The next teacher was Samuel A. Nash, who taught in the summer 
of 1849. He was succeeded by William Goodlcw, who opened a school 
in the summer of 1850. The fourth was a lady by the name of Swisher, 
who taught in the summer of 185 1. In 1857, Henry Neal taught in the 
new school building, in the north part of town. Following him was Dr. 
David Mulholland, James H. Whitson, A. C. Votaw, Reynolds, and 
others. 

MARYVILLE ACADEMY. 

This academy was established September 1, 1878, by Rev. A. D. 
Workman. He was succeeded by M. S. Embree during the spring term 
of 1880. The annual enrollment has increased every succeeding year. 
During the year 1880, the total enrollment of students was 145. During 
the year 1881, the enrollment of students promises to be much larger 
than any previous year. 



274 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The officers and teachers of the academy at present are as follows : 

M. S. Embree, principal, and teacher of English Literature and 
Higher Mathematics. 

Rev. A. D. Workman, teacher of Latin and Greek. 

Mrs. A. D. Workman, teacher of Music and French. 

Miss Sue L. Jones, Primary Department. 

The courses of instruction include Academical, Normal and Com- 
mercial. Maryville Academy is fast gaining a reputation as being second 
to none in Northwest Missouri. Students are examined to any course 
they may desire. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF MARYVILLE. 

The school building (the present brick) was erected in 1867. It 
contained at first four rooms, two above and two below, and cost, orig- 
inally, seven thousand dollars. Additions have, from time to time, 
been made until the building now contains eight rooms, the whole cost- 
ing about sixteen thousand dollars. It is located between Wall and 
Vine Streets, north of and bordering on State Street, fronting west. 
With the building there are two acres of ground set in blue grass and 
shade trees, the whole presenting a handsome appearance. 

SUPERINTENDENTS SINCE 1 867. 

1867, John Owens ; 1868, John Edwards ; 1869, John Owens ; 1870, 
R. C. J. Adney; 1871, B. A. Dunn ; 1872, B. A. Dunn ; 1873, B. A. Dunn; 
1874, B. A. Dunn; 1875, William E. Coleman; 1876, W. A. Charles; 
1877, W. A. Charles ; 1878, W. A. Charles ; 1879, W. A. Charles ; 1880, 
W. A. Charles; 1881, E. R. Carr. 

DIRECTORS SINCE 1867. 

1867-8. — Bourne G. Ford, Frank Glasgow, A. P. Morehouse. 

1 87 1. — I. N. Albin, John Leiber, John Ham, Frederick D. Snyder, 
William Anderson, J. M. Black. 

1871-2. — John Ham, Frederick D. Snyder, Wm. Alderson, J. M. 
Black, George S. Baker and John Leiber. 

1872-3. — William Anderson, J. M. Black, George S. Baker, John 
Leiber, John Ham, Frederick D. Snyder and John M. Bell, appointed. 

1873-4. — George S. Baker, John Leiber, John M. Bell, Frederick D. 
Snyder, M. G. Roseberry and Alexis W. Bariteau. 

1874-5.— M. G. Roseberry, Alexis W. Bariteau, John M. Bell, 
Frederick D. Snyder, Theo. L. Robinson and C. A. Anthony. 

1875-6. — B. A. Dunn, John Edwards, M. G. Roseberry, Alexis W. 
Bariteau, Theo. L. Robinson, C. A. Anthony. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



275 



1876-7.— Col. M. Craner, M. G. Roseberry, B. A. Dunn, Theo. L. 
Robinson, Cyrus A. Anthony, John Edwards. 

1877-8.— Col. M. Craner, M. G. Roseberry, B. A. Dunn, Theo. L. 
Robinson, Cyrus A. Anthony, John Edwards. (Held over to April, 
1878.) 

1878. — Joseph Jackson, Theo. L. Robinson, Alexander R. Martin, 
Scribner R. Beech, Cyrus A. Anthony, Robert K. Townsend. 

1879. — John Edwards, Alexander K. Martin, Wm. H. Hudson, 
Joseph Jackson, Cyrus A. Anthony, Theo. L. Robinson. 

1880. — John Edwards, Alexander K. Martin, Joseph Jackson, Theo. 
L. Robinson, W. H. Hudson, Cyrus A. Anthony. 

1 88 1. — Alexander K. Martin, John Edwards, Joseph Jackson, Theo. 
L. Robinson, W. H. Hudson, Cyrus A. Anthony. 

MONTHLY REPORT OF MARYVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR OCTOBER, 1 88 1. 



Department. 


Enrollment. 


Av. Enrollment. 


Av. Daily Attendance. 




Male. 

11 

33 
39 
47 
60 

37 
44 
26 

48 


Female. 


Male. 

9 

22 

37 

41 

58 

36 

43 

25-5 

45 


Female 

52 

36 

39 

39 

53 

32 

30 

25-5 

42 


Male. 

8 
18 
31 

38 

52 

3i 
40 
18 
35 


Female. 


Intermediate 


55 
36 
39 
41 
55 
33 
32 
26 
44 


44 
28 
34 
28 

39 
25 
26 

19 
3i 



Days attendance by whole school, 10 936. 
Days taught, 20. 

PRESENT TEACHERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, l88l. 

E. K. Carr, Superintendent. 

W. F. Williamson, teacher in High School. 

Belle Montague, A Grammar. 

Sophronia Broyles, B Grammar. 

Mary Moore, Intermediate. 

Rosana Redmond, Secondary. 

Kate Paschal, Super-Primary. 

Bettie Ford, Primary. 

Ida Dutton, Primary. 

Ida L. Albert, Primary. 

SALARY. 



Superintendent, $90 per month. 
Teacher High School, $60 per month. 
All other grades, $40 per month. 



276 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

GRADES AND COURSE OF STUDY. 
HIGH SCHOOL. — Course, Four Years. 

FIRST Year : Sixth Reader ; Higher Arithmetic, through simple 
interest ; English Grammar ; Greene's Analysis ; United States His- 
tory ; Book-keeping ; Algebra, Part 1 ; Watts on the Mind ; Penman- 
ship, Nos. 6 and 7 ; Drawing, Nos. 6 and 7 ; Orthography and Defini- 
tions ; Declamation and Composition. 

SECOND Year : Higher Arithmetic, completed ; Civil Government ; 
Algebra, Part II, to page 254 ; Book-keeping, completed ; Botany ; 
Physiology; Orthography and Definitions; Declamation and Composition. 

Third Year : Algebra, Part 2, completed ; Rhetoric ; Zoology ; 
Universal History ; Latin Principia, Part 1 ; Orthography and Defini- 
tions ; Declamation and Composition. 

FOURTH Year : Latin Principia, Part 2 ; Geometry ; Trigonom- 
etry and Surveying ; Natural Philosophy ; Astronomy ; Political Econ- 
omy ; English Literature ; Declamation and Composition. 

A— GRAMMAR SCHOOL.- Course, One Year. 

Fifth Reader, completed; Arithmetic, Part 3 ; English Grammar; 
Intellectual Arithmetic, completed ; Drawing, Nos. 4 and 5 ; Geography, 
continued ; Penmanship, Nos. 4 and 5 ; Oral Lessons ; Declamation and 
Composition. 

B— GRAMMAR SCHOOL.- Course, One Year. 

Fifth Reader ; Spelling, to page 100 ; Mental Arithmetic, to gen- 
eral review ; Primary English Grammar ; Geography, Part 2 ; Drawing, 
Nos. 3 and 4 ; Penmanship, Nos. 3 and 4 ; Oral Lessons ; Epistolary 
Writing. 

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS. — Course, One Year. 

Fourth Reader ; Primary Geography ; Written Arithmetic, to com- 
pound numbers ; Spelling, to page 75 ; Mental Arithmetic, Part II., to 
section VIII.; Drawing, Nos.. 2 and 3 ; Penmanship, Nos. 2 and 3 ; Oral 
Lessons. 

SECONDARY SCHOOLS.- Course, One Year. 

Third Reader; Geography, from Outline Maps; Mental Arithmetic, 
Part I.; Oral Lessons, in Written Arithmetic, through Multiplication; 
Spelling, to page 51 ; Penmanship, No. 1 ; Drawing, No. 1 ; Oral Lessons. 

SUPER-PRIMARY SCHOOLS - Course, One Year. 

Second Reader; Spelling, to page 30; Writing and Drawing, on 
slates; counting and writing numbers, to 1,000; Mental Arithmetic, 
Part I., to Subtraction ; Oral Lessons ; Geography, from Outline Maps. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 277 

PRIMARY SCHOOL"-. — Course, One Year. 

Alphabet, and Reading and Spelling exercises, from Charts and 
Blackboards ; Writing and Drawing, on slates ; First Reader ; Spelling 
words of Reading Lessons ; Object Lessons ; Oral instruction on Plants 
and Animals. 

The public schools of Maryville are in a flourishing condition. 
Prof. E. K. Carr, the present superintendent, is an accomplished and 
successful teacher of many years experience, and is giving entire satis- 
faction to the patrons and board of directors. The number of pupils 
have increased fully one hundred per cent since 1870, and now number 
696. The present accommodations for this rapidly increasing number 
is insufficient, and the board of directors contemplate submitting the 
question of building a new school house to the vote of the people after 
the April election in 1882. 

The school for colored children has been in operation since 1870, 
but closed in October, 188 1, the average daily attendance (ten) not 
being large enough to justify its further continuance. 

THE MARYVILLE BUSINESS COLLEGE. 

The pressing demand for a commercial school in the county seat of 
Nodaway County, which had long been felt by her citizens, culminated 
in the organization of Maryville Business College, November 8, 1880. 
From its beginning it has had a healthy growth, and the progress of the 
institution under the efficient management of the principals, has been all 
that the most sanguine could expect. The faculty is composed of expe- 
rienced teachers — practical educators — each being especially qualified 
for the department over which he presides. Professor W. P. Cherry, B. 
S., is a graduate of the Gem City Business College, Ouincy, Illinois, also 
of La Grange Literary College, La Grange, Missouri. 

Professor S. H. Thompson, A. B., is a thorough graduate of La 
Grange Literary College, La Grange, Missouri, and has but recently 
connected himself with the institution as associate principal. 

Professor H. C. Gilbert is a fine penman, and has been connected 
with the institution since its organization. 

Professor F. V. Withers has charge of the musical department. 

The course of study is thorough and comprehensive, including just 
those branches which are most necessary for a thorough preparation for 
the duties of a successful business career. The principals are encouraged 
in the enterprise and their efforts strengthened, by having the unquali- 
fied support of bankers, professional and business men of the flourishing 
city of Maryville, as well as the good will and influence of other patrons 
and graduates who are holding lucrative positions in the various depart- 



278 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

merits of trade, cheerfully testifying to the excellence of the management 
and superior curriculum of the institution. 

UNION HALL 

is 66x60 feet in dimension, with a seating capacity of 500, and was built 
in 1870, by T. L. Robinson and R. K. Townsend. 

MARYVILLE LODGE, NO. 165, A. F. & A. M. 

This lodge was organized in 1856, with the following charter mem- 
bers: A. Terhune, George N. Paige, Erastus Downing, Nimrod Wood, 
Nathan Goslee, J. W. Bickett, J. B. Prather, Thomas Wodley and J. H. 
Saunders. 

The building in which the lodge held its meetings was burnt in 1865, 
with all the records, consequently we here give a list of officers since 
1866: 

1866.— James B . Prather, W . M . ; Samuel T . Kennedy, S . W . ; Adam 
Terhune, J. W.; I. V. McMillan, Secretary; Charles L. Cain, Treas- 
urer; H. M. McKinsey, S. D.; N. B. Cain, J. D.; William H H. 
McClain, T.; Andy Royal, S. S.; Perry Wright, J. S. 

1867.— S. T. Kennedy, W. M.; A. P. Morehouse, S. W.; I. V. 
McMillan, J. W.; W. L. Johnson, Secretary; A. T. Ellis, Treasurer; 
Thomas Krouse, S. S.; T. W. Gaunt, J . S.; Wm. H. H. McClain, T. 

1868.— A. P. Morehouse, W. M.; John Allen, S. W.; Adam Ter- 
dune, J. W.; S.'C. McClusky, Secretary; A. T. Ellis, Treasurer; N. 
Sisson, S. S.; J. P. Crew, J . S.; Thomas Krouse, T. 

1869.— S. T. Kennedy, W. M.; J. C. Terhune, S. W.; G. D. Davis, 
J. W. ; Thos. H. Brown, Sec'y ; Geo. S. Baker, Treas.; J. I. George, T. ; 

B. G. Ford, S. S.; A. Royal,. J. S. 

1870.— Adam Terhune, W. M.; L. Miller, S. W.; J. I. George, 
J. W ; Nat. Sisson, Sec'y; George S. Baker, Treas.; George E. Bra- 
ley, S. S.; Frank Batta, J. S.; Thos. Wodley, T. 

1871.— H. M. Jackson, W. M.; A. P. Morehouse, S. W.; John 
Edwards, J. W.; C. A. Anthony, Secretary; A. Royal, Treasurer; 
Adam Terhune, S. S.; S. T. Kennedy, J. S.; Thomas Wodley, T. 

1872.— Lycurgus Miller, W. M.; A Royal, S. W.; James I. 
George, J. W.; C. A. Anthony, Secretary; Simeon Wright, Treas- 
urer; John Burns, T.; Adam Terhune, S. S.; James B. Prather, J . S.; 
S. C. McClusky, S. D.; George Davis, J. D. 

1873.— A. P. Morehouse, W. M.; George Davis, S. W.; C. A 
Anthony, J . W.; S. S. Casteel, Treasurer ; Nat. Sisson, Secretary ; S. 

C. McClusky, S. D.; S. W. Briggs, J. D.; George Snapp, S. S.; J. I. 
George, J S. ; J Lipps, T. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 279 

1874— A. P. Morehouse, W. M.; N. Sisson, S. W.; C. A. 
Anthony, J. W.; Ed. McMillan, Secretary; George S. Baker, Treas- 
urer; J. I. George, S. S.; George Snapp, J.S.; J. Lipps, T . ; ST. 
Kennedy, S. D.; E. B. Sprague, J . D. 

1875.— A. P. Morehouse, W. M.; S. C. McClusky, S. W.; Ed. 
McMillan, J . W.; Knox Jones, Secretary ; James I. George, Treasurer ; 
S. T. Kennedy, S. S.; L. Miller, J. S.; C. W. Briggs, T. ; A. Royal, 
S. D.; C. A. Anthony, J. D. 

1876 — S. C. McClusky, W. M. ; James I. George, S. W.; T. F. 
Jones, J. W.; J. A. Mall, Secretary ; Ed. McMillan, Treasurer ; H.M. 
Cox, S. D.; L. A. Saunders, J. D.; A. Monroe, S. S.; L. M. Lane, 
J. S.; A. Dewey, T. 

1877.— James I. George, W. M . ; Ed . McMillan, S. W.; C A. 
Anthony, J. W. ; W. E. Wright, Secretary ; Frank Ridgway, Treasurer; 
H.M. Cox, S . S . ; James Monier, J . S . ; T . F . Jones, T . ; L . M . Lane, 
S. D.; Knox Jones, J. D. 

1878.— C. A. Anthony, W. M.; L M. Lane, S. W.; Adelma 
Stingley, Treasurer ; Theo. F. Jones, Secretary; W. O. Cyle, S. D.; 
William Ellisworth, J. D.; Melvin Helflin, J . W; A. P. Morehouse, 
S. S.; George D. Davis, J. S. ; A.Dewey, T. 

1879.— S. C. McClusky, W. M.; A. P. Morehouse, S. W.; J. I. 
George, J. W.; Joseph A. Mall, Secretary; George W. Snapp, Treas- 
urer ; A. Monroe, T.; James Monier, S. S.; B. F Allen, J. S.; Wil- 
liam Wright, S. D.; William L. Ellisworth, J. D. 

1880— L. M. Lane, W. M.; J. A. Mall, S. W.; W. E. Wright, 
J. W.; E. J. Williams, Secretary; George W. Snapp, Treasurer; 
James Monier, T. ; A. P. Morehouse, S. S.; James I . George, J. S.; 
J . T . Allen, S . D . ; W . L . Johnson, J . D . 

1881 . — A. P. Morehouse, W. M.; J. I. George, S. W.; E. J 
Williams, J. W.; George W. Snapp, Treasurer ; Frank Elliott, Secre- 
tary ; P . F . Anderson, T . ; George Davis, J . S . ; S . B . Campbell, S . S . ; 
C. W. Briggs, S. D.; James Monier, J . D. 

Past Masters. — Adam Terhune, S. T. Kennedy, James B. Pra- 
ther, A. P. Morehouse, C . A. Anthony, S. C. McClusky, Lycurgus 
Miller, James I. George, L. M. Lane. 

Present membership about eighty, and the lodge is in a flourishing- 
condition, financially. 

NODAWAY LODGE, NO. 470, A. F. & A. M. 

In December, 1871, twenty Master Masons met for the purpose of 
forming a new lodge at Maryville, Missouri, and on petition to Most 
Worshipful Brother Thomas E. Garrett, Grand Master, for a dispensation, 
said petition was granted under the name of Nodaway Lodge, by said 



280 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Most Worshipful Brother Thos. E. Garrett, Grand Master under the date 
of December 29, A. D. 1871, and was continued under dispensation until 
the meeting of the Grand Lodge, with the following officers: LA. 
Bariteau, W. M.; I. V. McMillan, S. W. ; F. W. Marcy, J. W.; Wil- 
liam Anderson, Treasurer ; Thomas H. Brown, Secretary ; A W. Bar- 
iteau, S. D.; A. C. Case, J. D.; I. N. Wray, Tyler. 

October 17, 1873, a charter was granted, and the following officers 
installed: LA. Bariteau, W. M; I. V. McMillan, S. W.; Lafe Hagan, 
J. W.; J. C. Terhune, Treasurer; Thomas H. Brown, Secretary; A. 
W. Bariteau, S. D.; W. D. Winslow, J . D.; Thomas H. Logan and 
Henry Graves, Stewards; Fred. R. Nourse, Tyler. 

The following were the charter members : William Anderson, 
John Adams, I. N. Albin, LA. Bariteau, A. W. Bariteau, Thomas 
H. Brown, A. C. Case, J . W. Dean, T. W. Gaunt, Henry Graves, Lafe 
Hagan, J. E. Hudson, George Heubach, F. W. Marcy, I. V. McMillan, 
A. Oppenheimer, S. K. Snively, J. C. Terhune, I. N. Wray. 

December 27, 1873, the following officers were elected for 1874: L. 
A. Bariteau, W. M.; A. W. Bariteau, S. W.; Thomas H. Brown, J. 
W.; H. C. Fisher, Treasurer; I. V. McMillan, Secretary; W. D. 
Winslow, S. D.; E. Y. Davis, J . D.; F. R. Nourse, Tyler . 

Officers FOR 1875— A. W. Bariteau, W M.; W. D. Winslow, 
S . W . ; J . G . Grems, J . W . ; H . C . Fisher, Treasurer ; I . V . McMillan, 
Secretary; W. H. Hudson, S. D.; George H . Keeler, J . D.; N. Wey- 
rick, Tyler. 

^76. — W. D. Winslow, W. M.; J. G. Grems, S. W.; W. H. 
Hudson, J. W; H. C. Fisher, Treasurer; James Todd, Secretary; 
George H . Keeler, S. D.; Charles Lippman, J. D.; W. S. Stewart, 
Tyler. 

l8;7 _j. G. Grems. W. M.; W. H. Hudson, S. W. ; James Todd, 
J W.; H. C. Fisher, Treasurer; N. W. Charles, Secretary ; W. A. 
Charles, S. D.; M. Nusbaum,J. D.; W. T. Boatwright, Tyler. 

r8 7 8.— W. H. Hudson, W. M.; James Todd, S. W.; W. H. Tot- 
terdale, J . W.; J. C. Terhune, Treasurer ; N. W. Charles, Secretary ; 
HA. Avery, S. D.; A. A. Curfman, J. D.; George Conrad, Tyler. 

I 87 9 ._James Todd, W. M.; W. H. Totterdale, S. YV ; M. R. 
Hackadorn, J. W.; J. C. Terhune, Treasurer; WD. Winslow, Sec- 
retary; A A. Curfman, S. D.; A. Lippman, J. D.; Thomas Temple, 
Tyler. 

I 88o.— W. H. Totterdale, W. M.; M. R. Hackadorn, S. W.; M. 
Nusbaum, J. W.; W. W. Newlon, Secretary; J. C. Terhune, Treas- 
urer; A. Lippman, S. D.; G. Conrad, J. D.; J. B. Morrison, Tyler. 

1SS1. — M. R. Hackadorn, W. M.; M Nusbaum, S. W ; George 
Conrad, J. W.; J. C Terhune, Treasurer ; W. H. Hudson, Secretary; 
W. R. Smiley, S. D.; J. B. Morrison, J. D ; H. A. Avery, Tyler 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 281 

1882.— M. Nusbaum, W. M.; George Conrad, S. W ; J. B. Mor- 
rison, J. W.; J. T. Welch, Treasurer; W. H. Hudson, Secretary; C. 
W. Terhune, J. D ; W. H. Totterdale, S. D.; H. A. Avery, Tyler. 

NODAWAY CHATTER NO. 470 

was instituted under dispensation January 14, 1882, with twenty-two 
members, as follows: L. A. Bariteau, IV. McMillan, MR. Hacke- 
dorn, J. B. Morrison, J. B. Newman, George S. Crump, W. W. New- 
ton, J. K. Ruth, J. H. Clark, James B. Prather, Joseph A. Mall, Jacob 
Everhart, W. V. Smith, W. Kraft, Job Gosley, VV. J. Maple, J.J. 
Armstrong, G. W . Feurt, W. Deusler, Edward P. Sampson, Orrin 
Miller, George L. Drennan. 

Officers: L. A. Bariteau, H. P.: I. V. McMillan, K ; M. R. 
Hackedorn, S.; J . B . Morrison, C. H.; J. B . Newman, P. S. ; George 
S. Crump, R. A. C; W. W. Newlon, Secretary ; J. K. Ruth, Treas- 
urer; J. H. Clark, C. 1st V.; J. J. Armstrong, C. 2d V.; G. W. 
Feurt, C. 3d V. 

WHITE CLOUD LODGE NO. 92, I. O. O. F., 

was instituted March 19, 1856, at Maryville, Missouri, by Deputy Grand 
Master, C. F. Holly. The charter was granted May 21, 1856. The 
names of the charter members were John G. Allen, I.N. Costillo, C. 
N. Burns, B. G. Ford, W. O. Howard, John Terhune, C. C. Somer- 
ville, B. F. Torrance, Solomon West, H. F. Walker, Richard Saunderj. 

The names of the first officers were H. F. Walker, N. G.; B. F. 
Torrance, V. G . ; Richard Saunders, Secretary; Solomon West, Treas- 
urer ; C N. Burns, Conductor; I. N. Costillo, Chaplain; John G. 
Allen, I. G.; W. (3. Howard, R. S. N. G.; C. C. Somerville, L. S. 
N . G . ; B . F . Ford, R . S . V . G . ; William Lynch, L . S . V . G . 

Names of officers January 9, 1882, William H. Totterdale, N. G.; 
E.J. Williams, V. G.; Charles D. Koch, R. S.; J. W. Carr, PS.; 
Joseph A. Mall, Treasurer; A. Genson, Conductor ; C. Gessing, War- 
den ; W. S. Hudson, R. S. N. G.; John Spore, L. S. N. G.; Joseph 
Epstein, R. S. V. G.; Benjamin Allen, L. S. V. G.; Joseph S. Ware, 
L S. S.; Peter Leik, R. S. S. 

The last meeting held before the dormant state was on June 30, 
i860. The lodge was revived February 19, 1867. 

The lodge held its meetings until June 30, i860, when it ceased its 
regular meetings, and although its charter was not revoked it remained 
in a state of suspended animation until February 19, 1867, when its 
charter was revived, with the following officers: A. C. Votaw, N. G.; 
J. K. Costillo, V. G.; G L. Mochel, Recording Secretary; T. W. 
Gaunt, Treasurer. 



282 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Officers from April to October, 1867.— M. R. Chumess, N. G.; G. 
L. Mochel, V. G.; John J. Kelly, Recording Secretary; Thomas VV. 
Gaunt, Secretary. 

From October, 1867, to April, 1868— J. J. Kelly, N. G ; Thomas 
H. Brown, V. G.; W. L. Johnson, R. S; T. W. Gaunt, Treasurer; D. 
T. Votaw, P. Secretary. 

From April, 1868, to October, 1868— G. L. Mochel, N. G.; B. K. 
Davis, V. G.; J. S. Wood, R. S.; T. W. Gaunt, Treasurer. 

From October, 1868, to April, 1869— B. K. Davis, N. G.; T. W. 
Gaunt, V. G.; John S. Wood, R. Secretary; S. C. McClusky, P. S.; 
T. P. Torrance, Treasurer. 

From April, 1869, to October, 1869— T. H. Brown, N. G.; J. S. 
Wood, V. G.; J. P. Crew, R. S.; T. P. Torrance, Treasurer. 

From October, 1869, to April, 1870— John S. Wood, N. G.; W. H. 
Hudson, V. G.; J. Jackson, R. S.; J. A. Mall, P. S.; T. P. Torrance, 
Treasurer. 

From April, 1870, to October, 1870— W. H. Hudson, N. G.; J. Jack- 
son, V. G.; J. W. Dean, R. S.; T. P. Torrance, Treasurer. 

From October, 1870, to April, 1871— W. H. Hudson, N. G.; T. P. 
Torrance, V. G.; L. C. Evans, R. S.; J. C. Curfman, P. S.; John Dean, 
Treasurer. 

From April, 1 871, to October, 1 87 i—T. W. Gaunt, N. G.; Ira Kel- 
logg, V. G.; John Spore, R. S.; Thomas H. Brown, P. S.; J. Jackson, 
Treasurer. 

From October, 1871, to April, 1872 — T. P. Torrance, N. G.; E. M. 
Moss, V. G.; J. A. Mall, P. S.; J. Jackson, R. S.; John Dean, Treasurer. 

From April, 1872, to October, 1872— J. Kellogg, N. G.; J. A. Mall, 
V. G.; J. Spore, R. S.; E. M. Moss, P. S.; John Dean, Treasurer. 

From October, 1873, to April, 1873— W. H. Hudson, N. G.; John 
Dean, V. G.; W. H. Herbert, R. S.; H. Rokes, P. S.; S. Hull. Treasurer. 

From April, 1873, to October, 1873— J. Dean, N. G ; J. W. Dean, V. 
G.; A. S. Charles, Secretary; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

From October, 1873, to April, 1874 — V. G. Dean, N. G.; John Spore, 
V. G.; W. D. Winslovv, P. S.; E. Bell, R. S.; W. H. Herbert, Treasurer. 

From April, 1874, to October, 1874— John Spore, N. G.; W. H. Her- 
bert, V. G. ; F. D. Snyder, R. S.; John Dean, Treasurer. 

From October, 1874, to April, 1875— T. W. Gaunt, N. G.; E. D. 
Orear, V. G,; F. S. Snyder, R. S.; H. B. Lee, P. S.; John Dean, Treas- 
urer. 

From April, 1875, to October, 1875— W. H. Herbert, N. G.; F. D. 
Snyder, V. G.; I. W. Walker, R. S.; J. Mall, Treasurer. 

From October, 1875, to April, 1876— J. A. Mall, N. G.: H. B. Lee, 
V. G.; A. S. Charles, R. S.; C. Lippman, P. S.; George Conrad, Treas-^ 
urer. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 283 

From April to October, 1876— F. D. Snyder, N. G., J. M. Gile, V. 
G. ; J. J. Kelly, R. S.; A. S. Charles, P. S.; G. Conrad, Treasurer. 

From October, 1876, to April, 1877— E. D. Orear, N. G.; Charles 
Lippman, V. G.; J. J. Kelly, R. S.; J. M. Gile, P. S.; George Conrad, 
Treasurer. 

From April to October, 1877— J. M. Gile, N. G.; G. Conrad, V. G.; 
A. McCarty, R. S,; Peter Leik, P. S.; T. L. Robinson, Treasurer. 

From October, 1877, to April, 1878— C. Lippman, N. G.; A. S. 
Charles, V. G.; J. Monier, R. S.; W. M. Ellsworth. P. S.; T. L. Robinson, 
Treasurer. 

From April, 1878. to October, 1878— A. S. Charles, N. G.: A. Mc- 
Carthy, V. G.; H. L. Talbott, R. S.; W. L. Ellsworth, P. S.; A. Lippman, 
Treasurer. 

From October, 1878, to April, 1879— G. Conrad, N. G.; W. M. Ells- 
worth, V. G.; Charles Lippman, R. S.; A. Lippman, P. S.; W. H. Tot- 
terdale, Treasurer. 

From April, 1S79, to October, 1879— W. M - Ellsworth, N. G.; W. D. 
Ashford, V. G.; F. R. Nourse, R. S.; A. S. Charles, P. S.; W. H. Totter- 
dale, Treasurer. 

From October, 1879, to April, 1880— W. D. Ashford, N. G.; R. 
Shelton, V. G.; James Machamer, R. S.; E. J. Williams, P. S.; F. Ban- 
nan, Treasurer. 

From April, 1880, to October, 1880— R. Shelton, N. G.; James 
Machamer, V. G.; F. Bannan, R. S.; E. J. Williams, P. S.; J. A. Mall, 
Treasurer. 

From October, 1880, to April, 1881 — James Machamer, N. G.; F. 
Bannan, V. G.; W. H. Totterdale, R. S.; E. J. Williams, P. S.; J. A. 
Mall, Treasurer. 

From April, 1881, to October, 1881— F. Bannan, N. G.; W. H. Tot- 
terdale, V. G.; J. B. Riggin, R. S.; E. J. Williams, P. S.; J. A. Mall, 
Treasurer. 

From October, 1881, to April, 1882— W. H. Totterdale, N. G.; E. 
G. Williams, V. G.; Charles D. Koch, R. S.; J. W. Carr, P. S.; Joseph A. 
Mall, Treasurer. The lodge own their own hall and cemetery. 

MARYVILLE ENCAMPMENT NO. 50. 

A charter was granted to this lodge May, 21st, 1870. The following 
were the charter members : Joseph A. Mall, Thomas P. Torrance, W. 
H. Hudson, James A. Forrest, Joseph Jackson, E. J. DeLiew, John S. 
Wood, Thomas H. Brown. 

The first officers were as follows : T. H. Brown, C. P.; E. J. DeLiew, 
H. P.; John S. Wood, S. W. ; Thomas P. Torrance J. W.; Joseph Jackson 
Scribe ; James A. Forrest, Treasurer. 



284 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

1871 — T. P. Torrance, C. P.; J. J. Kelly, H. P.; J. A. Mall, S. W.; 
Ira Kellogg, J. W.; J. G. Grems, Scribe ; John Allen, Treasurer. 

1872— W. H. Hudson, C. P.; John W. Dean, H. P.; Ira Kellogg, S. 
W.; J. A. Mall, J. W.; J. C. Curfman, Scribe ; J. S. Wood, Treasurer. 

1873— J. W. Dean, C. P.; W. H. Hudson, H. P.; J. G. Grems, S. W. ; 
H. W. Harmon, J. W.; John Spore, Scribe ; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

1874— W. H. Hudson, C. P.; John Spore, H. P.; I.N. Wray, S. W.; 
J. C. Curfman, J. W.; E. Bell, Scribe; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

1875— J. Spore, C. P.; J. G. Grems, H. P.; H. Rokes, S. W.; H. 
Torrance, J. W.; W. H. Herbert, Scribe ; S. Hull, Treasurer. The above 
held until 1880. 

1880— J. J. Kelly, C. P.; C. Lippman, H. P.; J. Spore, S. W.; F. R. 
Nourse, J. W.; W. H. Herbert, Scribe ; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

1 88 1— J. J. Kelly, C. P.; Charles Lippman, H. P.; J. Spore, S. YV.; 
J. A. Mall, J. W.; W. H. Herbert, Scribe ; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

1SS2— J. J. Kelly, C. P.; C. Lippman, H. P.; John Spore, S. W.; J. 
A. Mall, J. W.; W. H. Herbert, Scribe ; S. Hull, Treasurer. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

Industry Lodge No. /S, a subordinate lodge of the above named 
benevolent order, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State 
of Missouri, was organized in Maryville, the county seat of Nodaway 
County, September 28, 1878, with the following named charter members : 
G. M. Bartlett, N. W. Charles, E. J. Evans, H. H. Geiger, J. M. Hosmer, 
E. N. Hogan, W. H. Herbert, N. T. Jones, J. B. Morrison, P. Mergen, F. 
D. Snyder, A. Sprecher, B. F. Shaum, L. Taylor, G. B. Vaughn, R. P. 
Weaver, W. M. Ellsworth and E. M. Moss. All of these charter mem- 
bers are members at the present time, except E. M. Moss, who took great 
interest in the order, but upon removing to Tecumseh, Nebraska, with- 
drew, and shortly afterward died, leaving his family without the benefits 
provided by the Society. Industry Lodge labored two years under 
adverse circumstances, many times not being able to get a quorum with 
which to transact business, struggling, in fact, for existence. At this 
writing the lodge has a membership of twenty-two, and is having a 
health)- growth. F. D. Snyder, Judge of Probate, is Master Workman, J. 
W. Carr, attorney, Past Master Workman, and J. H. Emmons, M. D., 
Recording Secretary. The membership are all representative men, and 
cordially invite all visiting brethren to call on them at their lodge rooms, 
where they meet on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each 
month. 

RESOLUTE LODGE, NO. 264, I. O. G. T. 

This lodge was organized September 13, 1879, by Colonel J.J. Hick- 
man, Right Worthy Grand Templar of the World. The following are 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 285 

the names of the charter members : T. J. Hunt, C. S. Colburn, I. K. 
Alderman, Miss Ida Hunt, Mrs. Ella White, J. M. Colburn, Fred. R. 
Nourse, R. Sanborn, H. H. Geiger, Charles E. Philo, F. C. Miller, I. N. 
Albin, Mrs. P. A. Colburn, Mrs. H. H. Geiger, F. C. B. Colburn, Charles 
Colburn, D. C. Wilson, S. L. Craig, Walter Texter, Mrs. Martha J. Long, 
Mrs. M. J. Carroll, P. J. Perkins, C. P. Smith, Mrs. C. P. Smith, L. A. Kim- 
ball, J. W. Barns, Miss A. Barns, Miss Minnie Hagan, I. K. Alderman, 
Miss Ophelia Carroll, L. N. Craig, Mrs. E. H. Howater, H. J. Satour, E. C. 
Rapelge, Miss Lizzie Carroll, J. W. Poland, F. D. Snyder, Mary Hagan, 
Miss Berta Hocket, Miss Etta Carroll and Gallitan Craig. 

There are at present sixty members. The lodge is now in a flour- 
ishing condition and doing a good work. 

The names of the officers at the present time are as follows : I. N. 
Albin, W. C. T.; Alice Albaugh, W. V. T.; J. M. Colburn, W. R. S.; Ida 
Weiser, W. A. S., deceased ; C. Gurney, W. F. S. ; Nannie Moses, W. T.; 
C. S. Colburn, W. C; Charles Philo, W. M.; George Daws, W. G.; R. 
Sanborn, W. S.; Hattie Green, W. D. M.; Captolia McFarland, R. H. S.; 
Flora Lytle, L. H. S.; Alice Ray, P. W. C. T.; William Duesler, L. D. 

The lodge meets every Saturday evening. 

THE IRISH- AMERICAN CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. 

This society was organized July 12, 1880. The first officers were : 
John O'Connor, President ; Martin Lavan, Vice-President ; S. V. Doo- 
ley, Treasurer ; P. L. Growney, Secretary. 

The present officers are : Rev. D. Pembroke, President ; P. L. Grow- 
ney, Vice-President ; C. Harrigan, Secretary ; M. Tobin, Treasurer. 
Membership, about 80. Their stand of colors consists of the American 
and Irish flags, and are the most handsome in Northwest Missouri. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The early history of Methodism in Nodaway County seems to melt 
away into myths, even the traditionary knowledge of the oldest inhabi- 
tants on the subject failing to give the experiences of the earliest 
pioneers of this denomination. At the division of the Methodist Church 
in 1844, Benjamin Baxter and Reuben Aldridge were pastors. Benja- 
min Baxter went with the southern side, and Reuben Aldridge with the 
northern. Mr. Aldridge preached two years, and was succeeded by 
Rev. I. M. Burns, who continued on the circuit two years. About this 
time, in 1847, the political agitation became so great that appointments 
were interrupted. 

In 1855, Mr. Bowman was pastor, the circuit including Maryville, 
Baker's school house, Saunder's school house, Honey Creek, Ball's school 



286 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

house, one-half # mile from where Pickering now stands ; Samuel Wise- 
man's residence, and at Sturgil's Grove. Other places of preaching at 
that time are noted as follows: Seven miles northwest of Maryville, at 
the house of Col. Davis ; fifteen miles northwest, at the residence of 
Mr. Houston, near the Iowa line ; at the residence of Samuel Nash, 
east of Pickering, and at father Markee's, about eleven miles east of 
town. This circuit was traveled every four weeks. Mr. Bowman was 
followed by Father Clemens. 

Rev. J. K. Chamberlain was appointed here in October, 1856. He 
wrote April 15, 1857, to the Central Christian Advocate as follows: 

"This morning, the middle of April, finds us in the enjoyment of 
good health, inhaling the strong, bracing wind from the northwest. Last 
night we had quite a strong smell of jack frost, who has been so faithful 
all last winter and thus far in the spring. This morning, the sloughs are 
frozen sufficient to bear up a horse and his rider, the ice is frozen to the 
depth of two inches. Last October, at the session of our Conference, I 
received my appointment from the Bishop, which was to take charge of 
the Maryville circuit which embraces Nodaway County, but on account 
of a spell of sickness immediately after conference I did not reach my 
appointment till the middle of November. When I arrived I found a 
parsonage in the town of Maryville, which had been erected some years 
before under the labor of Brother Bowman. We soon collected sufficient 
material and had the parsonage finished, since which time I have 
endeavored to fulfill my appointments. I feel thankful to the good 
Lord for the manifestations of His presence at our meetings." 

Mr. Chamberlain was succeeded by D. W. David, John Morehead, 
and Mr. Beggs, who was appointed at the conference held in Hannibal, 
in March, 1863. At that time, the Methodists had three districts, and 
only forty-three preachers in Missouri. We give the following extract 
of a letter written at that time by Mr. Beggs : 

"Then, Savannah, in Andrew County, was the neareast railroad 
station. My second year I preached in a small frame school house 
fronting on a street running east and west, one block north of the court 
house. The old parsonage stood on the same street. The soldiers of 
the government were using the parsonage for a stable, and we rented a 
house to live in the first year. The next year, that is, the second year, 
we replastered and fitted up the old parsonage, and moved into it the 
next day after the plasterers were done with their work. We put up 
with Bro. William Davis, who kept the old tavern, yet standing. Bro. 
Davis has gone to his reward in Heaven. My appointments were Mary- 
ville, Pleasant View, eight miles north, Highland Grove, Xenia, Colonel 
Davis', on the Nodaway River, Manley's, still west of Colonel Davis, 
Moreland's school house, Quitman, Hanna's, Bradyville, in Iowa, 
Hubert's, also in Taylor County, Iowa : also, one more west of Brady- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 287 

ville, in Iowa, and Baker's school house, about ten or fifteen miles south 
of Maryville." 

When Mr. Beggs was on the circuit there was a Sunday school held 
in the court house, and William H. Davis was superintendent. Mr. 
Beggs received for the first year $400, and the next year $450. 

Rev. Daniel Hockett succeeded Mr. Beggs, and it was during his 
pastorate that the present church building was commenced. As it was 
the first Protestant Church erected in Maryville, everyone rendered 
assistance. Brick sold at twelve dollars a thousand, and lumber at 
seventy-five dollars per thousand feet. Mr. Hockett left before the sec- 
ond year was finished. His colleague, a local preacher, was left on the 
circuit. He came to town one Sunday and gave out his hymn, but 
before the choir could sing, the minister, who did not like choirs and 
organs, started and sung the hymn. The result was that Maryville was 
without regular preaching for several months, being supplied by local 
preachers. 

Rev. Charles Stocking preached his first sermon in Maryville Jan- 
uary 22, 1869. He writes: 

" The membership, as I remember, numbered forty-one. The Sun- 
day School numbered some thirty during the month of February and 
until conference in March, when we had a gracious revival, and some 
thirty-five were added to the society. At this conference, held at Chil- 
licothe, Bishop E. E. Janes, presiding, Maryville was made a station, 
and I was returned, and it was my first regular appointment. Rev. 
L. V. Morton was appointed to the circuit. At once we counseled 
together as to how the debt of $6,500 could be raised. The circuit still 
felt a great interest in the church at the county seat, and grandly offered 
to stand with us in the effort to save the property which was threatened 
with sale. During that year we thus raised and paid $4,500, leaving 
$2,000." 

Mr. Stocking was succeeded by J. S. Barwick, J. T. Boyle and S. W. 
Thornton, through whose efforts the church was freed from debt. Rev. 
J. W. Caughlan succeeded as pastor, and it was during his pastorate 
that the debate occurred between him, representing the Methodist 
Church, and Prof. Bush, representing the Christian Church. Rev. S. W. 
Thornton was returned in 1877, but for the benefit of the health of his 
wife took a transfer to the mountains, and Rev. D. B. Lake was appointed. 
He left the church with a membership 217 ; probationers, \J ; members 
in Sunday School, 150. 

Rev. B. D. Lake was pastor of the church from September, 1877, to 
March, 1880. He was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Sassen, who continued 
to March, 1881. During his pastorate, there was marked improvement 
in church repairs, the church expending about $500. He was followed 
by Rev. J. M. Parker, who is the present pastor. At the beginning of 



288 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

his pastorate, the church bought a parsonage at a cost of $1,700. The 
church now numbers 150 members. We note the following list of officers: 

John Wray and M. G. Roseberry were trustees, in 1864. 

Austin Jones, William H. Davis and A. J. Ray were trustees in 1866. 

T. W. Gaunt, Dr. J. W. Dean and William Anderson were trustees 
in 1867. 

Ira K. Alderman, John Dean, Daniel S. Holmes, J. E. Laffer, Joseph 
Trowbridge, James Dutton and John C. Terhune were trustees in 1875. 

Ira K. Alderman, superintendent of Sunday School in 1869; Wil- 
liam Anderson was elected in 1873. 

Joseph Davenport, William Tignor, J. E. Laffer, T. W. Gaunt, Wil- 
liam Anderson and Orange Vanderhoof were class leaders in 1869 

E. Evans and W. L. Gardner were class leaders in 1870. 

William Anderson, James E. Laffer and R. P. Robertson were class 
leaders in 1872 . 

C. Curfman was class leader in 1873. 

Ira K. Alderman was class leader in 1874. 

Present Officers — Trustees, L. M. Lane, J. C. Dutton, S. L Ridge- 
way, Dr. H. M. Carver, E.J. Wilcox, John C. Terhune and John C. 
Curfman; Stewards, S. V. Campbell, John Dean,G. M. Bartlett, S. R. 
Beech, Mrs. Maggie Curfman, Mrs. Agnes Dutton, Mrs. Sallie Davis 
and Mrs. Helen Wilcox. 

Ira K. Alderman was elected delegate to the Lay Electoral Con- 
ference, held at Trenton, Missouri, in March, 1880 — E. J. Wilcox, alter- 
nate. At this conference Judge Alderman was elected delegate to the 
General Conference, held in Cincinnati, May, 1880. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church South, was organized about the 
year 1846. In the early history of the church, services were held in the 
court house, which was torn down in 1881. The original members of the 
church have all moved away, or become deceased. The following are 
some of the parties who have ministered to this church : William Ketron, 
Larkin Adamson, James S. Shive, William Shaw, William Bradford, Wil- 
liam F. Bell, John D. Turner, Alexander Spencer, B. R. Baxter, S. C. 
Littlepage, H. H. Craig, R. A. Austin, D. C. Blackwell, W. H. Albright, 
G. H. Newton, J. McEwen, H. A. Davis, James Hyder, C. Grimes, A. P. 
Parker, William Barnett, C. A. Sherman, John Anderson, L. F. Linn, D. 
C. O'Howell and H. C. Bolen . In 1867, the present church edifice was 
erected during the pastorate of Rev. James Hyder, and cost a little over 
$3,000. In 1876, a parsonage was built, during the pastorate of Rev. 
John Anderson, on the same lot with the church, and cost between $500 
and $600. The number of the present membership is seventy. During 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 289- 

the war the church was almost broken up, and preaching was suspended 
for three years. The church has an efficient Sabbath School. The 
church under the pastoral labors of Rev. H. C. Bolen, is now in a very 
prosperous condition, and in the two years during which he has been the 
pastor, the membership of the church has almost doubled 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The precise date of the first organization of the Baptist Church in 
Maryville is now unknown. An organization existed as far back as 1850. 
The war caused a general stagnation in religious matters, and the church 
at Maryville was not an exception. In the year 1870, Rev. Mr. Hopkins 
came to this part of the country, and reorganized the church, with the 
following members : Mary J. Graham, Daniel Best, Elizabeth Best, Henry 
Nelson, Mary Nelson, Adam Terhune, Betsy Terhune, William Neal, 
Barkley Benbow, Alice Benbow, J. M. Black, Rebecca Holcomb, Jane 
Hyler, Mary Ellsworth, Jane Ellsworth, John Hobbs, Anna Hobbs and 
Samuel E. Smith. 

The first church meeting of which any record was kept was held in 
1870. Rev. — Hopkins was chosen pastor, and remained only a short 
time with the church. In 1871 Rev. G. W. Huntley came to Nodaway 
County under the auspices of the Home Mission Society, and was called 
to the pastoral care of the church and remained as pastor until 1876. 
During his pastorate the present building was erected, at a cost of 
$5,000. Rev. S. M. Merrill was called to the church in August, 1876, 
and closed his labors in April, 1877. The church was without a pastor 
until October, 1878, when Rev. H.J. Latour was called as pastor. He 
remained two years, after which the church was without a pastor until 
October, i88i,when Rev. H. M. Richardson was called as pastor. 

The church numbers about 125 members, and has a fine Sabbath 
School, averaging about 125. This society has an excellent church 
building, of brick, worth $7,000, and is free from debt. 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The organization of the Union Presbyterian Church of Maryville, 
Nodaway County, Missouri, was first begun by Rev. E. B. Sherwood, 
missionary pastor of the New School Presbyterian Church for the Lex- 
ington Presbytery, on the 8th day of November, AD. 1868. The first 
preaching service was held in the Methodist Church, December 13, A. 
D. 1868, by Rev. E. B. Sherwood. After service the church was duly 
organized, and the following members enrolled : L. C Evans, William 
M. Jackson, D. T. Geiger, H. A. Avery, John Edwards, John Jackson, 
John Blair, W. Geiger, Mrs. L. C. Leiber, Miss Bell Andrews, Mrs. 
Rebecca Geiger, Mrs. Mollie J. Blair, Mrs. Rebecca Evans. 



29O HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The following persons were elected ruling elders : John Edwards, 
John Blair and D. T. Geiger. The trustees were J. E. Alexander, F. 
P. Glasgow and W. H. Purviance. 

December 20, 1870, Rev. J. M. Crawford was elected stated supply, 
and held this position for two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
William G. Thomas, who occupied the pulpit until 1873. The present 
pastor, Rev. A. D. Workman, was called by the congregation to become 
their permanent pastor, December 29, 1873 . He entered upon his labors 
February i, 1874. The present membership is 130. The congregation 
own a church building and parsonage, free of debt, valued at $6,000. 
John M. Bell was delegate to the General Assembly in 187- . 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

In 1868, the Christian Church was reorganized by Elder Joel M. 
Wood, with the following members: John S. Wood, John W. Walker, 
Sue M. Walker, Cassie Clelland, Elizabeth R. Clelland, James Ray, 
Sarah Hann, P. W. M. Orear, Mary Hann, Elizabeth Ford, F. H. B. 
Garner, Rosanna J. Prather, Elizabeth S. Ellis, James A. Smith, Polly 
Ann Smith and Amanda Ellis. Several of these have already passed on 
to the church triumphant, others have moved away, so that only seven 
are left. 

The first pastor called by this church was Elder J. G. Encell, a man 
of unusual energy and activity. During his pastorate of sixteen months 
there was a large increase to the membership . At the close of his labors 
the church numbered some sixty-five or seventy members. The next 
minister called was Elder L. D. Cook, who gave the church two years 
of faithful work. He was a man of fine social qualities and great native 
ability. He soon gained many warm friends. The church continued 
to prosper and increase in numbers and influence. Elder B. F. Bush 
succeeded Elder Cook, being employed for his entire time — the above 
named only one-half of the time. He continued his labors two years. 

During his stay with this church he held a debate with Rev . Mr. , 

o f the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was eminently satisfactory to 
his congregation. Having fine logical powers and being a classical 
scholar, he was clear and strong in his presentations of the distinctive 
pleas of the church. The next minister called was Elder George E. Dew, 
who also preached for the church two years, doing a good work. He 
was a young man of good ability, earnest and zealous, impressing every 
one that he was a good and pure man. A large number were added to 
the church under his labors. In the fall of 1879 Elder R.N. Davis was 
called to preach for the church, and is now its pastor. During the time 
he has been preaching for this church, (a little less than two years), fifty- 
two souls have been received into its fellowship. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 291 

This is a missionary church, contributing to both home and foreign 
missions. Has kept up a live working Sunday School ever since its 
organization. In 1880 it averaged over 100 pupils. 

The ladies of this church organized, several years ago, the Woman's 
Christian Missionary Society, and have done a great work. 

This church has been abundantly blessed by God. The present 
membership is 210, and the church property is valued at $5,000. 

ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

Rev. D. O. Hinck has furnished us the following sketch of the 
Advent Christian Church : 

The Advent Christian Church of Maryville was organized Decem- 
ber 14, 1870, by Elder J. E. Himes. Sixteen persons, all heads of 
families except two, were thus united in church fellowship, with the fol- 
lowing covenant : 

" We, whose names are subjoined, do hereby covenant and agree, 
by the help of the Lord, to walk together as a church of Christ, faithfully 
maintaining its ordinances, taking the Bible as our only rule ot faith and 
practice, church order and discipline, making Christian character the 
only test of fellowship and communion . We further agree with Chris- 
tian fidelity and meekness, to exercise mutual watch, care ; to counsel, 
admonish, or reprove, as duty may require, and to receive the same 
from each other as becometh the household of faith." 

Elder D. O. Hink was duly chosen pastor, Abram Fitzsimons, dea- 
con, and Wm . McClain, secretary and treasurer. 

During a protracted meeting held in January, 1871, at the Wright 
school house, four miles east of town, thirteen were added to the church. 
Also, in February, 1871, during a meeting held in the old Saunders 
school house, seven miles south of town, three united, one of whom was 
William Jones, Sr., familiarly called "Uncle Billy," true as steel, and is 
at present the respected and honored deacon of the church . Through- 
out the year 187 1, several more additions were made, one of whom 
being well known in this county as "Uncle Billy Swinford." Bro. 
Swinford came into the public congregation, who were assembled in the 
Maryville school house, and at the close of the sermon rose to his feet 
and requested the liberty to speak, which was granted . After referring 
to his demoralized and backslidden condition and his earnest desire to 
lead a Christian life, he said that he had come about ten miles on horse- 
back to offer himself to the Advent Christian Church, if they thought 
him worthy of a name and place among them. Sister Rebecca Swinford, 
wife of Wm . Swinford, soon added her name with that of her husband's 

Thus year by year this little congregation of believers in the near 
advent of God's Son from heaven, slowly yet certainly grew, the mem- 



292 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

bership, however, being largely in the country. In February, 1876, at 
a regular church meeting held in Maryville, their numerical strength was 
one hundred members. They had at that time just completed a neat 
and convenient chapel at a cost of about $1,200. The erection of this 
house of worship was carried through under many discouragements. 
Twice the house suffered much by storms, being blown from its founda- 
tions of brick piers nine feet uphill. Then the grasshopper raid tied 
up the purse strings — for everybody was going to starve to death — so 
our subscription list failed, leaving us with about $300 indebtedness and 
the house unfinished, but thank the Lord for a few courageous and per- 
severing souls, who knew no rest until the house was not only finished, 
but free from debt 

Many of our members having moved away, and some having died, 
with but few recent additions, we are left in a rather enfeebled condition. 
The death of brother Wesley Swayree, who was well known through the 
county as an insurance agent, and a straight forward Christian gentle- 
man, also brother Simeon Wright, an enterprising farmer and cattle 
dealer, has had its discouraging influence. Our present number is fifty. 
We have preaching service in our chapel every Lord's Day evening by 
the pastor, Elder DO. Hinck. We have also in connection with our 
chapel service a Missionary Bible School every Sunday afternoon, with 
an average attendance of 150. Deacon E. A. Rowley is the superin- 
tendent, who, with a secretary, a treasurer and a finance committee of 
three, are the officers of the school . So far the school has been a success . 

ST. PAUL'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH . 

The first regular services of this church in Nodaway County were 
held by the Rev. George Turner, now of Hiawatha, Kansas, in the 
Davis school house, in White Cloud Township, in 1864. Rev. Mr. 
Turner preached once a month at this place for some time. 

In the summer of 1872, the Rev S. C. Blackiston, now of Fort 
Benton, Montana, was appointed missionary of the church for Northwest 
Missouri. On the 18th day of August, 1872, he held service in Union 
Hall, Maryville, and on the following day organized the Mission at the 
residence of John Edwards, giving it the name of St. Paul's, and 
appointing Dr. H. Estes, warden, and John Edwards, Treasurer. 

The number of communicants at the time of organization of the 
Mission was five ; a short time after a class of six was confirmed by 
Bishop C . F. Robertson. 

About the 1st of November, 1873, a small hall, connected with 
Union Hall, was fitted up for regular services, which were there main- 
tained until the resignation of Rev. Mr. Blackiston, which was in 
April, 1874. Services were held only occasionally from this time till 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 293 

the summer of 1875, when the Rev. John Bennett attempted to renew 
the services at the Presbyterian house of worship, but this house having 
been unroofed by a gale of wind, and no other convenient place of wor- 
ship being at the time attainable, the effort was for a time abandoned, 
and the Mission remained without regular services till its re-organiza- 
tion on the 31st day of January, 1877, at the Christian house of worship, 
when Mr. G. VV. Turner was nominated to the bishop as warden, 
Charles Duncan as Secretary, and Edward Hull as Treasurer. 

The South Methodist house of worship was then secured for the 
second and fourth Sundays in each month, and services were regularly 
maintained until the resignation of Rev. John Bennett, in July, 1877. 
In the following month Rev. E. Victor Beales was appointed mission- 
ary, and came to Maryville. 

On Wednesday, August 30, 1877, Rev. Mr. Beales organized a 
society, called the Ladies Guild, of which Mrs. C. Duncan was Presi- 
dent; Mrs. A. P. Moorhouse, Vice President ; Mrs. Cranor, Secretary, 
and Mrs. Clelland, Treasurer. The object of the society was, at the 
first, to raise means for the purchase of a lot, and to furnish a church, 
when built. 

In September, 1877, a lot was purchased from John Walker for $200, 
and soon after money was subscribed for the purpose of building a 
church. On the 31st of December, 1877, Rev. Mr. Beales resigned his 
charge, after seeing the lot paid for, and $1,060 subscribed toward the 
building fund . 

March 1, 1878, the church building being nearly completed, the Mis- 
sion was organized as a parish, with the following choice of officers: G. 
W. Turner, Senior Warden ; L. H. Case, Junior Warden ; Edward Hull, 
W. Dowdeswell, R. W. Nimmo, John Jones, Vestrymen. The regular 
form of organization was complied with, and signed by the members of 
the parish. 

On May 17, 1878, Bishop Robertson held service in the new church 
for the first time, but the building was not completed until August 1, 1878 . 

The parish remained vacant until July, 1879, when Rev. W. C. 
Sherman became rector, and continued to serve until October, 1880, 
when he resigned. The present rector is Rev. William A. Hatch, who 
commenced his duties November 27, 1880 The services are at the 
present time held on the first and third Sundays of each month, the 
minister officiating on the remaining Sundays at Chillicothe and Stan- 
berry, Missouri 

The parish is organised as follows: G. W. Turner, Senior Warden ; 
J.B. Newman, Junior Warden; William Winslow, Treasurer ; William 
Dowdeswell, Clerk; William H. Hudson, John Jones, L. W. Patterson, 
Vestrv. 



294 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Whole number of communicants, twenty-seven. There have been 
since the organization of the mission, thirty baptized, twenty-three con- 
firmed and seven deaths. Value of church property, $1,750. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

Among the early settlers of Nodaway County were a few Catholic 
families, natives of Kentucky. These were located contiguous to Mary- 
ville, the county seat. They were visited by the priest of Conception 
settlement, in the same county, early in 1858, and continued to be vis- 
ited by the same clergyman, (Rev. Father Powers), at regular intervals, 
up to 1868. About that time public improvements taking a start, the 
bishop was induced to send a resident priest to Maryville to minister to 
the crowing community there henceforth. In 1873 the Catholics of that 
place were put under the charge of the Benedictine Fathers of Concep- 
tion monastery, and continues to be under their administration up to 
the present time. 

A Catholic Church was erected in Maryville in i860, through the 
exertion and influence of Dr . Bickett, a Catholic citizen of Maryville . A 
house of worship was also built at Conception the same time. These 
were the very first houses of religious worship of any kind that were built 
in Nodaway County. 

The church at Maryville, a brick edifice, and neatly furnished, was 
despoiled and damaged during the civil war ; but afterwards, repaired 
and refitted, it continued to be the place of religious worship until blown 
down in a storm in 1879. A new church edifice of more imposing dimen- 
sions was then started, which is yet in the course of erection — the base- 
ment, used for school and temporary church purposes, being already 
finished. 

The Kentucky Catholics mostly left during the civil war, but their 
place was supplied by a large number of Catholic families, which have 
since settled in Maryville and the contiguous parts of Nodaway Count}-. 

Conception, a Catholic settlement, fifteen miles southeast of Mary- 
ville, was founded by a land association, organized by citizens of Penn- 
sylvania, for an actual settlement of Catholics, as early as 1856. The 
year following 20,000 acres of land, chiefly lying in Nodaway County, 
were entered in the General Land Office at Washington, and relocated 
next year in the District Land Office at Plattsburg, Missouri. Some of 
these settlers, under the direction of a priest of the Philadelphia diocese, 
came out early in 1858, and made some improvements. They continued 
under the charge of the priest, who located among them — Rev. F. Powers. 

In 1867 a new church was built for them, in which they worshipped 
until 1873, when they were put under the charge of the Benedictine 
Fathers, who built a larger church and who continue to minister to the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 295 

religious interests of the Catholics of the county. These have lately 
built a spacious monastery and college, and are about to erect a splendid 
church in keeping with the monastery. 

A community of religious women of the same order came at the 
same time, and have been employed both in Maryville and Conception, 
chiefly in teaching school, and will begin before long, academies, as they 
will find them suitable for the requirements of the people. 

BAKER, SAUNDERS & CO., BANKERS. 

George S. Baker & Co., private bankers, commenced business 
December 1, 1868, and sold to Nodaway Valley Bank, August, 1873. 
The stockholders in the above bank were W. C. Orear, James B. 
Prather, Joseph E. Alexander, E. S. Stephenson, and George S. Baker. 

FARMERS BANK. 

This bank was organized April 17, 1871, by H. C. French and H. C. 
Fisher as a private bank, under the name and style of Fisher & French, 
in the first story of the building now occupied by the Maryville Repub- 
lican office. On September 23, 1873, Mr. H. C. French sold his interest 
to Joseph Jackson and John C. Terhune . The bank was then organized 
under the name and style of Fisher, Jackson & Co., Joseph Jackson, 
president, and Ff. C. Fisher, cashier. In 1875, they built the present 
bank building. On the 17th of September, 1877, Mr. Fisher sold out 
his interest to Messrs. Jackson and Terhune, Joseph Jackson, president, 
John C. Terhune, cashier, and the name changed to the Farmers Bank, 
with paid up capital of $50,000. 

Official statement of the Farmers Bank, August 31, 1881 : 

Resources . 

Loans, personal security $ I 5°-733 88 

Loans, real estate security 1,460 00 

Overdrafts by solvent customers 6,814 95 

Bonds and stocks 996 32 

Due from banks, good on sight drafts 201,321 64 

Real estate 1 5,297 10 

Furniture and fixtures 2,500 00 

Checks and cash items 3,523 68 

Bills of National Banks .• 28,720 00 

Gold coin 7,000 00 

Silver 233 10 

$418,600 67 



296 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Liabilities . 

Capital $ 50,000 00 

Deposit subject to draft 3 22 >7°3 44 

Deposit, time 45,^97 2 3 

$418,600 67 

Aggregate amount of business annually transacted, nine million 
dollars. 

NODAWAY VALLEY BANK 

was organized in 1869 by George S. Baker, James B. Prather, E. S. 
Stephenson, Joseph E. Alexander, and William C. Orear, under the 
firm name of George S. Baker & Co. In 1870, William C. Orear sold 
his interest to John O. Martin. In 1873, George S. Baker and John O. 
Martin sold their interests to Theo. L. Robinson and J. C. Water- 
man. When Mr. Baker retired, it became necessary to change the 
name of the bank, and it was changed to Nodaway Valley Bank, with 
James B. Prather as president, and Theo. L. Robinson as cashier. 
Messrs. Waterman, Stephenson, and Alexander have since sold their 
interests to Messrs. Prather & Robinson, who are now the sole owners. 
From the official statement last made, August 31, 1881, the bank shows 
a paid up capital of $30,000, with a surplus fund of $45,753- 1 3> and over 
a quarter million dollars deposits. While many banks in Northwest 
Missouri and elsewhere were compelled to close their doors for a time 
during the financial panic in 1873 (being only one month after Mr. 
Robinson commenced the business management), the bank paid all 
demands and kept open for regular business. Mr. James B. Prather, 
president, is a native of Kentucky ; came to Nodaway County in 1841, 
and has been in active business in Maryville since. Theo. L. Robinson, 
who was born in Missouri, commenced the dry goods business in Mary- 
ville in 1857, and has been engaged continuously in active business 
from that date until the present. First, dry goods and general mer- 
chandise, then hardware and lumber ; from that to banking, comprising 
a period of a quarter of a century, and each new business having been 
commenced before the old one had been closed, making the oldest con- 
tinuous business man in Maryville 

THE NODAWAY DEMOCRAT. 

The Democrat was established in 1869, by Hon. A. P. Morehouse 
and A. C. Buel, the first number of the paper, a six column folio, being 
issued November 13th of that year. From the first this journalistic ven- 
ture was a pronounced success, and the Democrat has been published 
uninterruptedly from the initial number up to the present date. 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 297 

In 1870 Mr. Buel retired from the paper, and Mr. Morehouse took 
a partner in the person of W . J Sloan. The new firm enlarged the 
paper to eight columns, and conducted it until September 15, 1874, when 
it was purchased by George W. Martin, B. A. Dunn and James Todd, 
Mr. Dunn being only a silent partner and taking no active part in the 
management of the paper . The following February he sold his one-third 
interest in the Democrat to Martin & Todd, the present editors and pro- 
prietors. 

Believing that Nodaway County should have a journal worthy of the 
name, the new firm early conceived the idea of purchasing a cylinder 
press and enlarging the Democrat to a nine column paper, all printed at 
home. This they did in August, 1878. The paper grew so in favor and 
its circulation increased to such an extent that it became necessary to 
run the presses by steam, and the following June the first paper ever 
printed by steam in Nodaway County was issued from the Democrat 
office. In October, 1881, the growth of the Democrat made it necessary 
that it should have more room in which to conduct its extensive busi- 
ness, and the establishment was accordingly moved in that month into 
its present commodious quarters, where it occupies an office eighty feet 
in length, and has one of the best appointed printing offices in the state . 

From this brief sketch we see the Democrat's career has ever been 
one of progress, until to-day, with its circulation of over 2,000 copies, 
each week, it is recognized as the leading county paper of Missouri. 

The Democrat is ably edited, enterprising and newsy, and always 
aims to be reliable. In both its news and job departments it enjoys a 
large patronage, and is prospering and enlarging its sphere of usefulness 
more and more each year. 

MARYVILLE REPUBLICAN. 

The history of the Republican properly commences with that of 
the Maryville Register, which was established in 1865. Maryville had 
but one paper before the war, and this was destroyed during the first 
year of the war. From that time until the establishment of the Regis- 
ter there was no paper published in the county. Seeing a good thing 
in the county printing, the delinquent tax list for 1865 being very heavy, 
A. P. Morehouse, in connection with A. C. Votair, a practical printer,, 
went to Bedford, bought a complete newspaper outfit and established 
the Register. The new paper was established in August, 1865. Mr. 
Morehouse kept the office but a few weeks, made $1,400 out of the 
county printing, and then gave the office outright to Votair. The Reg- 
ister was republican in politics, and continued under the control of 
Votair until 1867, when it was bought by A. B. Cornell, and its name 
changed to the Reporter. 



298 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

During the campaign of 1870, the republican party became divided 
on the question ot' enfranchising the ex-confederates. The Reporter 
took a violent position against the enfranchising amendment, and at 
last it was deemed expedient by the opposition to start an organ. 

The new candidate for public honors was christened the Republi- 
can, and was fathered by the Hon. M. G. Roseberry, the state senator, 
and Joseph Jackson, the county clerk. Mr. Roseberry was the political 
editor. The local and mechanical department was under the manage- 
ment of James D. McClain. The first paper was issued on August 2, 
1870. 

From the first the new paper took a strong hold on the public, and 
was a success. On January 1, 1871, the Republican bought out the 
Reporter, and thus became its legal successor, and from that time until 
the present the Republican has been the only organ of the republican 
party in the city. 

On October 3, 1871, Messrs. Roseberry & Jackson sold the Repub- 
lican to Dr. H. E. Robinson for $1,500. Under Dr. Robinson the paper 
was very successful, and took a high position among the county papers 
of the state. 

On February 1, 1875, Dr. Robinson sold the Republican to B. A. 
Dunn and H. B. Swarts for the sum of $3,000. Mr. Swarts was a prac- 
tical printer and a first-class newspaper man. At this time the edition 
of the Republican was twenty-eight quires, or 672 papers. Mr. Swarts 
took control of the local and mechanical department of the paper, while 
Mr. Dunn was the political editor and business manager. Under their 
management the paper gained rapidly in circulation and influence 

But the paper was destined to suffer an almost irreparable loss in 
the death of Mr. Swarts. That fell destroyer, consumption, seized him, 
and it was soon evident that his life's work was done. In September, 
1877, he disposed of his share of the office to Mr. Dunn, who thus 
became the sole proprietor of the paper. Mr. Swarts died in October, 
1877. He was without doubt one of the finest newspaper men ever in 
the county, and he lived had a bright career was before him. 

But notwithstanding the death of Mr. Swarts, the paper continued 
to prosper, and in April, 1878, a fine Potter cylinder press took the 
place of the old hand press that had done duty ever since the paper was 
.established. On May 9, 1878, the paper was enlarged to a nine-column 
folio, which form and size it still retains. In September, of the same 
year, a steam engine was added, thus giving the Republican one of 
the most complete country offices in the state. 

On February 1, 1879, Mr. Dunn sold an interest in the paper to Mr. 
B. E. Condon, his foreman, and one of the finest practical printers in 
the west. These gentlemen, under the firm name of Dunn & Condon, 
still control the paper. Under their management improvement after 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 299 

improvement has been made in both the newspaper and job department. 
The paper has grown in favor and influence, and is justly ranked as one 
of the best county papers in the state. Its circulation at present is 
2,400, and is constantly increasing. The county is proud of the paper, 
and in turn the paper is proud of the county. The future of the Repub- 
lican is bright. In the banner county of the state, and in one of the 
most enterprising cities of its size in the west, it can not help growing 
in influence and prosperity. 

THE MARYVTLLE TIMES. 

The Times is a forty-eight column newspaper, independent in politics, 
devoted to agriculture, literature, general news, and contains all the local 
news of the city and county. This paper was first established at Bar- 
nard, a small town in the southern part of the county, in 1876, as a six 
column folio, and on the 20th day of February, 1880, went into the hands 
of its present owner, Mr. John A. Peoples, a young man of ability, push 
and nerve. Mr. Peoples at once improved the paper by enlarging to a 
five column quarto, and adding new material ; continuing the publication 
at Barnard until January 7, 1881, when, at the earnest solicitations of 
some of the leading business men of Maryville, removed his office to this 
place, and enlarged the paper to a six column quarto, making it the 
largest paper in the county. Since its establishment in Maryville, the 
Times has a large circulation among the people in this section, and is 
independent in politics. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The Fire Department was organized in 1879. There are thirty vol- 
unteer firemen, who can be called out at the tap of the bell at any moment. 
They have a house on Market Street, on the east side of the square . The 
firemen are not under pay, but their poll tax is remitted to them in view 
of their position. 

CEMETERY. 

At the August term of the county court for 1870, we find the follow- 
ing order establishing a cemetery for Maryville : 

"Now comes I. V. McMillan, attorney for the inhabitants of the 
incorporated town of Maryville, and asks the court to condemn the cem- 
etery grounds belonging to said Nodaway County, and lying within the 
limits of said corporation, and to prohibit the burial of any person 
therein from and after this date ; also that said court make an order 
passing all of the right, title and interest of said Nodaway County in 
and to said cemetery grounds to the trustees of the incorporated town 
of Maryville, and to their successors in office, for the use and benefit of 



300 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

said incorporated town, the court after due consideration, adjudges and 
decrees the prayer of said petition, and do hereby order that said cem- 
etery grounds shall not longer be used for burial purposes ; and it is 
further ordered by this court, that the title of said Nodaway County in 
and to the burial grounds as aforesaid, be conveyed to the trustees of 
the incorporated town of Maryville, and to their successors and assigns 
by deed executed by the proper agent of the county authorized to con- 
vey the real estate of said county." 

PUBLIC WELL. 

At the August Term of 1870, it was ordered that the Trustees of the 
incorporated town of Maryville have the privilege and authority to pro- 
ceed and sink two public wells, one on the southwest corner of the public 
square, and the other on the northwest corner of said square. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

1875 — W. L. Johnson, chairman; C. C. Graham, clerk; John Burns, 
J. T. Clelland, Adam Stephan and A. T. Stephenson, trustees ; W. E. 
Trueblood, marshal ; C. A. Anthony, attorney. 

1876 — Henry Graves, chairman; C. C. Graham, clerk; A. P. More- 
house, S. R. Beech, A. Royal and A. T. Stephenson, trustees ; W. E. 
Trueblood, marshal ; W. L. Johnson, attorney. 

1877 — T. J. Johnston, chairman; Nathaniel Sisson, clerk ; George 
Drennan, W. H. Hudson, O. S. Briggs and A. W. Barriteau, trustees ; W. 
E. Trueblood, marshal ; I. V. McMillan, attorney. 

1878 — L. M. Lane, chairman ; L. N. Craig, clerk ; A. T. Stephenson, 
M. G. Roseberry, Nathaniel Sisson and A. K. Martin, trustees ; N. T. 
Jones, marshal ; S. R. Beech, attorney. 

1879 (last year of town) — J. E. Alexander, chairman ; L. N. Craig, 
clerk ; C. A. Anthony, N. W. Charles, M. K. Fleming, R. C. Montgom- 
ery, Joseph A. Mall, John O'Connor, E. Pittman and A. T. Stephenson, 
trustees ; H. B. Torrance, marshal ; W. L. Johnson, attorney. 

1880 (first year of city government) — S. R. Beech, mayor; C. A. 
Anthony, president of board of aldermen ; R. C. Montgomery, acting 
president of board of aldermen. Aldermen : J. I. George and T. F. 
Hood, first ward ; Charles Koch and John O'Connor, second ward ; R. K. 
Townsend and C. A. Anthony, third ward ; R. C. Montgomery and 
Joseph A. Mall, fourth ward. W. E. Trueblood, city marshal ; L. I. 
White, city attorney ; Joseph E. Reese, city clerk. 

1881 — S. R. Beech, mayor; R. K. Townsend, president board of 
aldermen ; R. C. Montgomery, acting president board of aldermen. 
Aldermen : J. I. George and T. F. Hood, first ward ; Charles Koch and 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 301 

J. Edwards, second ward ; R. K. Townsend and M. R. Hackedorn, third 
ward ; R. C. Montgomery and John G. Grems, fourth ward. W. E. True- 
blood, city marshal ; L. M. Lane, city attorney ; L. N. Craig, city clerk. 

MARYVILLE AS IT IS. — PREPARED BY PROF. B. A. DUNN. 

Maryville has rightly been called the banner country town of Mis- 
souri. No other city of an equal size can boast of such a volume of 
business and such palatial business houses as Maryville. Even before it 
had a railroad, it was a town of importance and enjoyed an extensive and 

lucrative trade. The census of 1870 gave it a population of , and 

this was before it was bound to the outside world by bands of steel. 
The first railroad came during this year. Before this it was, in a great 
measure, tributary to Savannah and St. Joseph. With the railroad came 
a bright and more prosperous era. 

ITS SITUATION. 

Maryville is situated almost in the geographical center of the county 
on a high, rolling prairie. Many of the streets have shade trees planted 
along the sides, and most of the private yards, 'also, have more or less 
trees and shrubbery planted in them, so that in summer time, one, in 
looking over the city, almost fancies he is viewing some fairy wood- 
land. It is fast becoming one of the most beautiful cities of the west. 
Its streets are from fifty to sixty-six feet wide, and kept in good order. 
The natural drainage is good, and being so high — nearly two hundred 
feet above the One Hundred and Two River, one and a half miles dis- 
tant, — renders it very healthful. No sickness of an epidemic form has 
ever visited the city. 

Its inhabitants are noted for their hospitality and the cordiality with 
which they welcome all new comers. Its citizens have always main- 
tained the most cordial relations with the county. The inhabitants of 
Maryville are proud of their noble county, and in turn the people of the 
county are proud of their count)* seat, always speaking of it in terms of 
praise. The schools and churches, spoken of elsewhere, tell of its culture 
and society. 

ITS RAILROAD,S. 

In 1870, a branch of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs 
Railroad was finished to Maryville. The next year the road was finished 
to Hopkins, fourteen miles north, and a branch of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Ouincy, from Creston, Iowa, forms a junction with it at that place. 
The whole road has since passed into the hands of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Ouincy Company, and forms a through line, connecting with the 



302 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, at Atchison, Kansas, thus placing Mary- 
ville on one of the most noted thoroughfares of the country. 

In 1873, a second road was built through the city, the Omaha & St. 
Louis. This road soon passed into the Gould combination, and became 
a part of the great Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Consolidation. It will 
thus be seen that Maryville is on two of as fine railroads as there are in 
the United States, and in direct communication with both Chicago and 
St. Louis. 

ITS GREAT GROWTH. 

The years 1880 and 1881 have been remarkable ones in the history 
of Maryville. The coming of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad 
gave it a new impetus, and its growth for these two years has been mar- 
velous. There have in this time been built between twenty and thirty 
elegant brick business houses. Some of the blocks built within 
two years are models of architectural beauty, and have added much to 
the appearance of the city. There have also been built in these two 
years two large and commodious brick hotels— the Arlington and the 
Luona. The latter is not yet completed at the time of this writing. 

There have also been built during this time nearly or quite four 
hundred dwellings, many of them costly and of fine architectural 
appearance. Especial mention might be made of the house of Hon. 
Alonzo Thompson, a splendid mansion costing $25,000. 

ITS BUSINESS. 

The business of Maryville has kept pace with its rapid growth. Its 
business men are enterprising and financially solid. Mercantile traveling 
men always sell as many goods as possible in Maryville. It is seldom 
that wholesale houses lose anything by selling to its merchants. Fail- 
ures are almost unknown. The dry goods business is immense — some 
of the stores being palatial in size and filled with thousands of dollars 
worth of goods. 

The grocery trade is large — two or three of the houses doing a 
wholesale as well as a retail business. In fact, every branch of business 
is represented by numerous houses, and by consulting the directory pub- 
lished elsewhere the number and names can be found. 

The retail trade of the city is enormous, reaching quite two millions 
of dollars. It draws trade for miles in every direction, and it is no 
unusual sight to see hundreds of teams hitched around the public square, 
while the streets are thronged with a busy, bustling crowd. The state- 
ment of the banks published elsewhere show the immense volume of 
business done, it being no unusual thing for the banks to hold from half 
to three quarters of a million dollars on deposit. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 303 

The three newspapers are well sustained, and looked upon with 
pride by the citizens. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Maryville is essentially a mercantile town. Being situate as it is, 
in one of the finest agricultural regions in the world, it has to depend on 
the country for its support. Like all such towns, it, during the first 
years of its life, paid no attention to manufactories whatever, trade 
being the only thing thought of. But for the last four years the thoughts 
of the citizens have been turning in the direction of manufactories, and 
they are beginning to realize their importance more and more, and look- 
ing to them as an important factor in the growth of the city. 

The Maryville Flouring Mill, owned by J. E. Williams, is doing a 
good business. As it is the only flouring mill in the city, it does an im- 
mense custom business. It has four run of stone, and is kept running 
almost continuously day and night. The flour stands high in the market 
and finds ready sale. 

H. A. Avery was the pioneer carriage builder, but years ago he sold 
his business to Frank Basman, and to-day his carriage manufactory is 
one of the fixed institutions of Maryville. From a small beginning Mr. 
Basman has became one of the foremost carriage manufacturers in the 
country, and his work ranks with the very best. Mr. Basman is now 
building a brick manufactory forty-two by eighty feet, two stories high. 
This building does not include his large 1 rick blacksmith shop. Mr. B. 
devotes himself almost exclusively to carriage work and repairs. He 
employs from twelve to fifteen hands, and has all the work he can do. 

J. J. Armstrong erected the first foundry in Maryville, in the year 
1877. He has a large foundry and repair shop, and is doing a good busi- 
ness and turning out good work. He does all kinds of common casting, 
and repairs machinery of all kinds. 

Wiles & Avery are fast building up the largest manufactory in the 
city. They have a first-class foundry, and are doing some splendid work. 
But their chief business is the manufacturing of the celebrated listing 
plows and corn drills combined. This business is growing into one of 
vast importance, and they are preparing to manufacture them in large 
numbers. They also make cultivators, harrows and other farming imple- 
ments, as well as carriages and wagons, and they have a large manufac- 
tory well filled with good machinery. This firm is destined to form an 
important part in the manufacturing interests of Maryville. They already 
employ some fifteen hands. 

The Maryville Woolen Mill is doing a good business. This mill 
cards, spins and makes yarns, flannels, blankets, jeans, cassimeres, etc. 
It does good work, and finds ready sale for all that it can manu- 
facture. 



304 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The planing mill, sash, door and blind factory of H. G. Hasenor is 
the only one of the kind in Maryville. It is well supplied with all of the 
improved machinery and is kept busy. 

The Mount Jo brewery is one of the largest in Western Missouri, 
and is run to its fullest capacity. 

The citizens are looking towards other manufactures. The subject 
of water works is being extensively discussed, and in all probability the 
city will have them in the not far future. 

The city now has two large fine grain elevators, and four of the 
largest firms of grain dealers in the state make their headquarters in 
the city. The future looks bright, indeed. The year 1882 promises 
even to eclipse the years 1880 and 188 1 in building. Not only will the 
magnificent court house and jail be built in the year 1882, but there will 
be ten or fifteen new business rooms erected, as well as a large number 
of dwellings. A new and magnificent school house is also one of the 
future adornments that will come in a year or two. 

The city is well policed, and the best of order prevails. There 
are three regular policemen on duty all of the time. The princi- 
pal streets are lighted by lamps. The city has a good city hall, a strong 
calaboose, a Champion fire extinguisher, and does not owe a cent. Tax- 
ation is light, from two to three mills on the dollar. The streets are well 
provided with fine sidewalks, which are kept in order. 

We see nothing to prevent Maryville in the next few years from 
making a place of at least ten thousand inhabitants. In fact, no country 
town in Missouri has brighter prospects before it. Its present popula- 
tion is about 4,500. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF MARYVILLE. 

Avery & Wiles, foundry and Leister Manufacturing Company. 

Arlington Hotel. 

Airy & Sons, groceries. 

Albin, Mrs., millinery. 

Albaugh, Moses, painter. 

American Hotel, Mrs. O'Riley, proprietress. 

Armstrong, J. J., foundry. 

Andrew, James, fuel. 

Barman, Frank, carriage maker. 

Baker, Saunders & Co., bankers. 

Brown & Montgomery, real estate agents. 

Buthems, Christian, merchant tailor. 

Beech & Ellison, attorneys at law. 

Brewer & Southwelt, contractors and builders. 

Blair, Mrs. M. J., millinery. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 305 

Andrews, E. L. & Co., grocers. 
Bailey, W., contractor and builder. 
Blair, John, sewing machines. 
Briggs, C. W., photographer. 
Buck & Bryarly, photographers. 
Bariteau & Welsh, grain dealers. 
Bever & Segin, restaurant. 
Briggs, O. S. & Bro., hardware. 
Beal, Charles, druggist. 
Bradley, H., fuel. 
Clark, J., baker and confectioner. 
Charles, W. S., laundry. 
Castile & Lomax, livery. 
Cox, John, harness maker. 
Curnutt, John, contractor and builder. 
Curfman & Shaum, hardware. 
Culverson, J. M., livery. 
Chambers, J. W. & Co., grain dealers. 
Campbell, S. V., physician. 
Carr, J. W., attorney at law. 
Crane & Evans, bookstore. 

Conrad & Totterdale, contractors and builders. 
Craig Bros., real estate agents. 
Crump & Co., agricultural implements. 
Cushing, E., blacksmith. 
Childs & Co., general merchandise. 
Deheck, Nicholas, boarding house. 
Davis, Henry, woolen mill. 
Diechel, Michael, bakery. 
Dunn, S. M., physician. 
Dawson & Roseberry, attorneys at law. 
Dunn & Condon, editors Maryville Republican. 
Deschauer, S. A., jewelry. 
Dunn, D. W., physician. 
Dunn, Joseph, physician. 
Daniels, J. T. & Co., dry goods. 
Ditmer, C. C, agricultural implements. 
Edwards & Ramsay, attorneys at law. 
Ellis & Prather, druggists. 
Eddy & Smith, grain dealers. 
Emmons, J. H., physician. 
Farmer, J. F., boots and shoes. 
Frank, J. S. & W. C, real estate agents. 

Farmers Bank, Joseph Jackson, president ; John C. Terhune, cashier. 

20 



306 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Forsythe, Ed., meat market. 

Lippman, A., saloon. 

Gross, Peter, bottling house. 

Griffin, Frank, attorney at law. 

George, J. I. & Co., dry goods. 

Grundy & Terhune, agricultural implements. 

Gallion, J. V., boot and shoemaker. 

Hileert Bros., meat market. 

Hansen, John, shoemaker. 

Hatton, George H., groceries. 

Hurlbut, E. K., dry goods. 

Howell Bros., lumber dealers. 

Hudson, J. E. & W. H., hardware. 

Howendobler & Bro., druggists. 

Hughes & Snapp, clothing. 

Herbert, W. H., photographer. 

Hood, T. F. & Co., harness makers. 

Hosmer, J. M., auctioneer. 

Hawkins & Craig, groceries. 

Hallowell & Howell, groceries. 

Hyslop & Rowley, real estate agents. 

Hastings, Fred., bookstore. 

Harrigan, Daniel, saloon and groceries. 

Hilgert, Michael, saloon. 

Hackedorn, M. R., physician. 

Hamill, Peter, saloon. 

Herren, John, livery. 

Harman, Henry, planing mill. 

Jackson, W. W., livery. 

Jensen, A. D., druggist. 

Johnson, W. L., justice of the peace. 

Jester & McMacken, groceries. 

Jackson & Son, millinery. 

Johnston & Anthony, attorneys at law. 

Joyce, John, restaurant. 

Joy, Morris, meat market. 

Kuenster, G., oil dealer. 

Koch, Charles, physician. 

Kelley, Mrs. M. B., millinery. 

Kraus, George, shoemaker. 

Lippman, Charles, furniture. 

Liebcr, J. & Co., dry goods. 

Lane, L. B., justice of the peace. 

Lane & Newman, attorneys at law. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 307 

Liek, William, barber. 

Luona Hotel, Cooper & Glasgow, proprietors. 

Larabee, J. M., physician. 

Liek, Peter, barber. 

Mcjimsey & Son, livery. 

Morehouse, Stephen, public administrator. 

Morehouse & Sisson, real estate agents. 

Martin & Todd, editors Nodaway Democrat. 

McGroarty, J., boot and shoemaker. 

Moore & Vinsonhaler, druggists. 

McCluskey, S. C, dentist. 

McCanne & Halliberton, 99 cent store. 

McMillan, I. V., attorney at law. 

Morrison, J. B., physician. 

Machamer, James, barber. 

Mulholland, David, physician. 

Monier, James, justice of the peace. 

Moss, M., confectionery. 

McNillis, Patrick, saloon. 

Maryville Hotel, Jeremiah Kelley, proprietor. 

Moss, B. F., restaurant. 

Myer, — ., manufacturer of cigars. 

Moore, A. T., M. D. 

Nusbaum, M., clothing. 

Nash, George, physician. 

Nodaway Valley Bank, J. B. Prather, pres.; T. L. Robinson, cashier. 

Northcutt, Joseph, saloon. 

Northcutt, Joseph, restaurant. 

Neisendorfer & Co., brewery. 

O'Rourke, Martin, boarding house. 

O'Connor, John, agricultural implements. 

Ott, George, barber. 

Ohio House, R. B. Booher, proprietor. 

Pittman & Ivie, furniture. 

Plank & Johnson, groceries. 

Robinson, H. E., dentist. 

Redfield, Stephen, furniture. 

Ridgeway & Son, lumber dealers. 

Saylor, J. H., attorney. 

Scott, J. E., physician. 

Smiley, W. B., marble works. 

Shortel & Doran, saloon. 

Stratton, N. J., Wabash Elevator. 

Sturme & Hagen, clothing. 



308 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Saunders & Son, dry goods. 

T. S. Weaver, bookstore and jewelry. 

Swanson, N. J., organ and piano tuner. 

Spaulding, Mrs., tailoress. 

Smith Bros., dry goods. 

Smith, J. A., clothing. 

Shelton Bros., restaurant. 

Sevvald & McPhail, merchant tailors. 

Signs & Son, clothing. 

Stephenson, A. T., produce dealer. 

Smith & Sprecher, livery. 

Stockton, Robert, livery. 

Shoemaker & Son, transfer line. 

Snyder, Fred. D., probate judge. 

Tate & Dun'ap, attorneys. 

Toel, Henry, sheriff. 

Townsend, E. & Co., groceries. 

True, J. M. & Co., lumber. 

Turner, George W., harness maker. 

Vaughan & Smith, groceries. 

Valley House, Thomas Shoemaker, proprietor. 

Van Briggle, Thomas, shoe and boot maker. 

Williams, George, sewing machine and organ agent. 

Wilson, D. C. & M. H., oculists. 

Wirtz, A., gunsmith. 

Worst, George, hardware. 

Woodburry, N. T., dentist. 

White & Bunger, painters. 

Weaver, R. P., clothing. 

White & Alderman, attorneys at law. 

Williams, E. J., miller. 

Wray & Moore, groceries. 

Yehle, W., meat market. 

POSTMASTERS AT MARYVILLE FROM 1845 TO 1882. 

Amos Graham, appointed 1845; B. F. Torrance, ; James H. 

Saunders, December 5, 1853; Henry T. Walker, December 5, 1855; Jas. 
Saunders, December 19, 1856; John T. Boyle, March 12, 1857; George 
S. Baker, December 31, 1857; William J. W. Rickett, September 8, 1858; 
Alfred C. Votaw, February 5, 1864; John J. Kelley, February 3, 1868; 
William Anderson, February 7, 1870; William Anderson, July 13, 1870; 
Henry H. Geiger, December, 18, 1873; Henry H. Geiger, August 5, 1873; 
Henry H. Geiger, January 14, 1878; John Ham, March, 1882. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

UNION TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY — PHYSICAL FEATURES — EARLY SETTLERS — PICKERING - CHURCHES- 

SECRET ORDERS. 

UNION TOWNSHIP. 

Union Township is now bounded on the north by Atchison, Hop- 
kins and Independence Townships, on the west by Atchison and Noda- 
way Townships, on the south by Nodaway, Polk and Jackson Townships, 
and on the east by Independence Township. We give below the orders 
of court establishing the boundaries of this township. 

The following order of court appears for the May term, 1856, organ- 
izing Union Township : 

" Ordered that all the territory in Polk Township that lies north of 
the line dividing townships 65 and 66 be and the same is erected into a 
new township to be called and known by the name of Union Township." 

On June 15, 1866, occurs the following order of court defining the 
bounds of Union Township : 

" To commence at the northeast corner of the northeast quarter of 
section 33, township 67, range 34 ; thence west on the state line to the 
northwest corner of the northwest fourth of section 32, township 67, 
range 35 ; thence between sections 31 and 32, township 67, range 35, 
and sections 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 17 and 18, 19 and 20, 29 and 30, 31 and 32, 
township 66, range 35 ; thence east to the northeast corner of section 1, 
township 65, range 36 ; thence south on the range line between ranges 
35 and 36 to the southwest corner of section 18, township 65, range 35 ; 
thence east on south line between sections 18 and 19, 17 and 20, 16 and 
21, 15 and 22, 14 and 23, 13 and 24, in township 65, range 35, and sec- 
tions 18 and 19, 17 and 20, to the southwest corner of section 16, town- 
ship 65, range 34, being the southeast corner of Union Township ; thence 
north on the section line between sections 16 and 17, 8 and 9, 4 and 5, 
township 65, range 34 ; thence west to the southwest corner of section 
34, township 66, range 34 ; thence north on section line between sec- 
tions 33 and 34, 27 and 28, 21 and 22, 15 and 16, 9 and 10, 3 and 4, town- 
ship 66, range 34, and sections 33 and 34, township 67, range 34, to the 
place of beginning." 



3IO HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Subsequently, Hopkins Township was taken out of territory orig- 
inally belonging- to Union Township. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

This township is well watered. The One Hundred and Two River 
runs nearly through the center of the township from north to south, and 
has several tributaries. Mozingo Creek runs through the extreme south- 
ern portion of the township, and about one-third of the distance from 
east to west. Mowery Branch flows nearly through the township in a 
southwesterly direction and empties into the One Hundred and Two 
River. On the west side, Gray's Creek and several minor creeks flow 
into the river. In the extreme western portion of the township are the 
headwaters of the southern branch of Clear Creek, which flows for some 
distance in a southwesterly direction. The central and eastern portion 
of the township has considerable timber, and timber occurs more or less 
along all the streams. Stone quarries are found along the larger streams. 
There is no poor land in the township. It is estimated that about one- 
eight of the land is timbered. 

Union is justly considered one of the best townships in Nodaway 
County for agricultural purposes. The second terrace glides down gently 
to the first bottom without river bluffs, and the land can be cultivated- 
almost to the water's edge. The soil is a deep, rich loam, with the usual 
alluvium along the streams. All the cereals grow in abundance, and the 
cultivated grasses flourish. The people of Union Township can be said 
to live in one of the most favored portions of Missouri. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The first settlers in Union Township were William and James Ingels. 
They came in the year 1841, and settled at White Oak Grove, about two 
miles below where the town of Xenia afterward stood. The attractions 
offered to them by the grove, in the way of protection from the winds, 
and timber and fuel for farm and household purposes, determined their 
location there. 

Abraham Fletcher came next and settled in the grove, opening an 
adjoining farm, finding an additional attraction in having near neighbors. 

Mr. Shurley, a son-in-law of Mr. Fletcher's, was next attracted to 
the grove for similar reasons, and by kindred ties, and opened an adjoin- 
ing farm to Mr. Fletcher's, on the south. 

Mr. Martin and John Gray came next in order, and settled on the 
prairie, about two miles west of White Oak Grove, opening prairie farms 
near enough to the grove to avail themselves easily of all the advantages 
of native timber, so necessary to pioneers. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 311 

Mr. Cromwell came next, and settled in the grove north of the others, 
but afterward sold out to Thomas Pistole. 

About the same time came John Walden, a son-in-law of Mr. Crom- 
well, and settled at the grove. The White Oak Grove settlement thus 
takes precedence in the order of time over all others in what is now 
known as Union Township. It was a pleasant neighborhood, made up 
of congenial friends, living in and around the grove, a landmark in all 
that region in early times, where the traveler was glad to find himself at 
nightfall, to rest his weary limbs and enjoy the hospitality so gladly 
accorded by pioneers. Our modern civilization has given us many 
things, but it has lost somewhat of that old-fashioned hospitality that 
would not let the stranger pass by the door without a cordial welcome 
that warmed the heart, and prepared the traveler in body and mind for 
his onward journey. 

The next settlement in Union Township was made by Dr. Josiah 
Coleman, who entered the land where Pickering is now located. This 
is a most delightful situation, on the rolling prairie as it rises out of the 
first terrace, some three-quarters of a mile from the One Hundred and 
Two River. Here Dr. Coleman opened a farm, and administered pro- 
fessionally to those who came and settled around him. He afterward 
sold his farm, disposing of the portion on which the town of Pickering 
now stands to Judge Andrew Royal, and went to Kansas. 

After this, a settlement was commenced at Lower White Oak 
Grove, by John Ray. Alvin Sturgill came next and opened a farm on 
the south side of White Oak Grove. David Cooper took a claim a little 
north of Pickering, thus becoming a neighbor of Dr. Coleman. The 
settlement of Lower White Oak Grove received an addition in the per- 
son of Edward Ray, who located there and opened a farm. Valentine 
Ray soon followed, and took a claim in the same neighborhood. Mar- 
tin Van Buren took a claim about one mile and a half west of Pickering. 
Martin Fakes settled soon after on the west side of the township, on 
the divide west of White Oak Grove. About this time settlers began 
to come into Union Township more rapidly, so that it is difficult to 
note the settlement of each one in consecutive order. 

OLD SETTLERS IN UNION TOWNSHIP. 

William Ingels, 1841. Abraham Fletcher, 1841. 

Shurley, 1841. William Nash, 1842. 

John Gray, 1842. Martin Gray, 1842. 

Jacob Miller, 1842. Samuel C. Nash, 1843. 

Samuel Nash, 1843. George Nash, 1843. 

Thomas Pistole, 1843. William Pistole, 1843. 

George Pistole, 1843. Andrew Pistole, 1843. 



312 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Stephen Pistole, 1843. Timothy Nash, 1843. 

Mr. Harris, 1846. Mr. Murphy, 1850. 

E. Hatfield, 1850. James F. Williams, 1850. 

Thomas Washburn, 1850. Stephen Girard, 1853. 

Edward Godsey, 1855. Win. R. Johnston. 



PICKERING. 

This pleasant little village, of about 200 inhabitants, is situated 
nearly midway between Maryville and Hopkins, on the Maryville Branch 
of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. Dr. Josiah 
Coleman made an original survey of the town, and named it Pickering, 
in honor of Pickering Clark, who held a position on this railroad. It is 
a tradition of the town that when the first train came down the road and 
approached this point, this name was selected, and the place was chris- 
tened Pickering. Dr. Coleman's interests were bought out by Judge 
Andrew Royal who purchased the forty acres upon which the town is 
now located, for $3,000. Judge Royal re-surveyed and laid it out the 
second time in 1871. There was no public sale of lots, but lots were 
disposed of at private sale. 

Pickering is located about three-fourths of a mile from the One 
Hundred and Two River, on what is known as the second terrace. It is 
a beautiful site for a town, — the land rising gently with a fine roll from 
the lower terrace which gives the town a sufficient elevation to overlook 
all the valley for miles in both directions. Just above the town the 
river is deflected in its coure a little toward the east, and carries with it 
a belt of timber in a waving line through the valley, the trees partly 
hidden by the banks, appearing in the summer like a fringe to the green 
carpet beneath one's feet. Pickering is as cosy a little village as one 
can find, and there is a peaceful atmosphere about the place, to the 
observing traveler, that is quite delightful. 

In 1 87 1, D. N. Garten & Brother erected the first business house in 
Pickering, and opened a stock of mixed merchandise. 

Dr. William M. Wallace and Judge Royal erected the second busi- 
ness house in 1871, and opened a drug store. 

In the summer of 1871, A. Woods built a blacksmith shop. 

Peter Behm put up a business house in 1873, and opened a stock of 
mixed merchandise. 

About the same time Milton Anderson built a harness shop. 

The next store was put up by Marion Ferrel, who opened a stock of 
mixed merchandise. 

The Pickering House was built in 1873, by Royal & Garten. 

A wagon shop was built in 1873, by Jacob Wagoner. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 3 13 

In 1874, the Pickering Manufacturing Company erected a building 
and carried on the manufacture of agricultural implements, wagons, etc. 
They continued business about two years, and had a thriving trade, but 
through mismanagement, concluded to make a change, and sold out to 
B. W. Kenny, who continued to do business on a less extended scale for 
about six years. 

In 1874, a cheese factory was put up by Shoemaker Bros., of New 
York, who carried on the business for two years. 

An institution for packing and preserving eggs was built in 1874, 
which was in activity for three or four years. 

In 1877, Wallace Bros., erected a building and opened a drug store. 
In 1879, J- J- Van Buren built a blacksmith shop. 

Dr. Josiah Colman owned the farm where Pickering now stands, 
and his farm house, located on the second roll from the river, fell 
within the village limits, and has since been used as a hotel. This was 
the first hotel opened in the village, and was kept by J. W. Harman. 

David Van Zandt built the first residence after the town was first 
incorporated. D. N. Garten then moved a dwelling house from Xenia, 
which, being left by the railroad, was afterward abandoned. The next 
residence was put up by J. W. Harman. Several dwellings were erected 
about this time, as the town began to grow. 

Mrs. David Van Zant was the first person who died in Pickering 
after it was first incorporated. This occurred in the fall of 187 1. Mr. 
David Van Zant's son was the first child born after the first incorpora- 
tion. Dr. Wm. M. Wallace was the first practicing physician in the incor- 
porated town of Pickering. 

The first marriage in Pickering occurred at the house of J. W. 
Harman. Mr. L. L. Holbrook, of Maryville, was united in bonds of 
wedlock to Miss Lou D. Harman. 

The Methodists built the first church edifice in the year 1875 . 

In 1879, ED. Nash put up a grain elevator, which he operated 
two years, when he sold it to Bariteau & Welch, of Maryville, who still 
own it. Pickering is a good point for the shipment of grain. In 1879, 
370 car loads of grain were shipped, and in 1880, 400 car loads were 
shipped, mostly corn. When the railroad came to Pickering, J. W. 
Harman was appointed agent, and has continued to hold the position to 
the present time. Mr. Harman has made a model agent, being a care- 
ful and accurate business man, kind and obliging to the traveling public, 
and keeping the passenger house as neat and clean as a dwelling. 

Pickering is considered a healthy point, the drainage of the village 
being good, and the roll on which the village is built lifting it above 
the malarious influences in the valley lands. 

The town was incorporated February' 4, 1879 



314 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PICKERING. 

The Pickering circuit was detached from the Hopkins circuit and 
organized as a separate circuit in 1871. Rev. W. Cowley was the pastor, 
The membership of the circuit numbers about forty. The names of the 
pastors have been as follows : W. Cowley, E. V. Roof, William Shelley, 
Thomas Evans, W. B. Moody and W. Cowley, the present pastor. The 
church building was erected in 1874 at an expense of $2,000. Mr. 
Cowley has six other appointments outside of Pickering. There is 
another church building on the circuit near Sweet Home. There is a 
good Sabbath school and something of a library. The church is in a 
good condition. The church has just built a parsonage at a cost of 
$650. 

PICKERING LODGE NO. 473, A. F. A A. M. 

The charter of this lodge was granted October 14, 1873. The names 
of the charter members are as follows : Edwin Van Buren, James H. 
Johnson, E. M. Groves, W. M. Wallace, M. B. Harman, H. H. Harman, 
J. W. Harman, William M. Pistole, Dr. A. D. Sargent and A. J. Woods. 
The present membership numbers thirty-one. The lodge is in good 
condition, out of debt, and own their lodge room. 

The names of the present officers are as follows : James C. Pistole, 
W. M.; J. W. Harman, S. W.; Jacob Ashford, J. W.; Henry Dunn, Sec- 
retary ; George Nash, Treasurer ; H. H. Harman, Tyler. 

NODAWAY LODGE NO. 347, I. O. O. F. 

The charter of this lodge was granted May 19, 1876. The names of 
the charter members are as follows : Edwin Van Buren, Charles M. 
Whipple, Phillip Sellers, Newton Wray, O. H. Mitchell. 

The present officers are: James K. Young, N. G. ; John Burch, V. 
G. ; James A. Lowery, Secretary. 

The members of this lodge number twenty-eight. The lodge is in 
a flourishing condition. 






CHAPTER XXII. 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY— PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-CARTERVILLE-GUILKORD— 
SCHOOLS— CHURCHES-SECRET ORDERS-BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 

Washington Township is bounded on the north by Jefferson Town- 
ship, on the east by Gentry County, on the south by Andrew County, 
and on the west by White Cloud Township. This is the southeast 
township in Nodaway County. 

We find the following order of record for the April special term of 
court, for the year 1845, establishing Washington Township : 

"All the territory within the following limits shall be called and 
known by the name of Washington Township, to wit : 

" Beginning on One Hundred and Two, on the line dividing Nod- 
away and Andrew Counties ; thence north up said stream till it inter- 
sects White Cloud Township ; thence east and north with said town- 
ship line to the line dividing townships 6$ and 64 ; thence east with said 
boundary to the eastern boundary of Nodaway County ; thence south 
with said county line to Andrew County ; thence west to the place of 
beginning." 

On June 14, 1866, the court made the following order, defining the 
bounds of Washington Township : 

Commencing at the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of sec- 
tions 15, 9 and 16, 8 and 17, 7 and 18, in township 63, range 34, [33 ?], and 
12 and 13. 11 and 14, 10 and 15, 9 and 16, 8 and 17, 7 and 18, township 
63, range 34, and 12 and 13, to the northwest corner of section 13, town- 
ship 65, range 35, thence south on the section line between sections 13 
and 14, 23 and 24, 25 and 26, 35 and 36, township 63, range 35, and sec- 
tions 1 and 2, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 23 and 24, 25 and 26, 35 and 36, to 
the south line of said county, to the southwest corner of section 36, 
township 62, range 35, thence east on the county line to the southeast 
corner of the southwest quarter of section 34, township 6?, range 35, 
[33 ?], thence north on the east line of said county to the northeast 
corner of the northwest quarter of section 15, township 63, range ^^>, to 
the place of beginning. 



3l6 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Subsequently, Jefferson and Grant Townships were formed out of 
territory belonging originally in part to Washington Township. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

The Platte River flows through the extreme western portion of this 
township in a southerly direction, bending in its course a little toward 
the west, until it touches the western line, and then returning in a south- 
easterly direction it runs across the southwest corner of the township. 
Turkey Creek and Island Branch water the eastern portion of the town- 
ship, and, uniting near the county line, run easterly into Grand River. 
The western portion of the township consists of high upland prairie, 
more rolling as we approach the river, with a valley along the river of 
rich alluvium about a mile in width. The eastern portion of the town- 
ship is made up of gently rolling prairie lands with increased inequal- 
ities of surface as we approach the streams. All the water courses are 
fringed more or less with timber, one-tenth of the whole area of the 
township being estimated as timbered land. Springs are found in 
numerous places, and the whole township is well watered. The soil is 
a silicious loam, exceedingly fertile and well adapted to the cultivation 
of fruits. Horticulture would find its native home in this township, all 
the small fruits of this latitude growing in abundance. The cultivated 
grasses have been introduced and flourish, and stock raising is quite 
successful. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settlement in Washington Township is supposed to have 
been made about the year 1840. Among the earliest settlers was Thomas 
Gray, who took a claim in the southeast part of White Oak Grove, which 
is situated two miles north of the present town of Guilford. The grove 
is two miles long and one mile and a half wide. 

Silas Groves came next from Indiana, and located two miles, north- 
west of the present site of Guilford, between White Oak Grove and the 
Platte River. Hugh Todd now owns this place. 

Jesse Jones emigrated soon after from Pennsylvania, and settled half 
a mile south of where Guilford is now located. 

Thomas Blakely came from Cooper County, Missouri, and located 
one mile south of the present town of Guilford . 

James Irwin took a claim one half mile southwest of the present 
location of Guilford . 

Silas Best settled three miles north of where Guilford now is, on 
the east side of White Oak Grove . 

John S. Aldridge emigrated from Indiana and settled on the east 
side of White Oak Grove . 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 317 

Guilford Richards came from Virginia and took a claim on the south 
side of the grove. 

John Groves was born in Ohio, February 19, 1801. In 1823 he 
married Miss Susanna Vanpelt. Their marriage was congenial, and 
they have lived together in peace ever since. They are the parents of 
fifteen children, who are somewhat scattered, some being in Missouri, 
some in Kansas, and one in Iowa. In the year 1838 Mr. Groves moved 
to Indiana. He remained there two years, and then he came to Andrew 
County, Missouri, where he remained till 1842. He came to Nodaway 
County in the latter year, and settled on the farm where he has lived so 
long. When he came to Missouri, St. Joseph consisted of but two or 
three houses. His team hauled the logs for the first building that was 
erected in Savannah. He came to this region when it was but sparsely 
populated. At that time this township contained only about a dozen 
families, but soon after that number was augmented by the arrival of the 
families of Christopher Weatherman, Allen Gentry and Wiley Brittain. 
Little did these early settlers think that the country which then pre- 
sented such a rugged and forlorn appearance could be transformed into 
almost a paradise ; and little did they think that they would live to see 
the day when Nodaway County would contain 30,000 inhabitants. 

In 1842 there were only about a dozen men in Washington Town- 
ship, all told ; but they were men of nerve and pluck, who forsook 
friends and came to a land where the track of the Indian was still vis- 
ible. 

The nearest trading point at that time was Savannah, and Whites- 
ville was the nearest post office ; the nearest mill about fifteen miles 
off. The first settler? raised corn, wheat and hemp, principally ; they 
dressed in their homespun and very seldom were sick, excepting ague 
and chills, which they had occasionally. 

Elliott owned the first store in the township. His chief clerk was 
William Weatherman, Esq. The latter gentleman carried the first mail 
bags that ever came to Washington Township. 

Jesse Stingley settled one mile and a-half southeast of where Guil- 
ford is now located. He came from Indiana. In 1847 C. Weatherman 
emigrated from North Carolina and settled one-fourth of a mile south 
of the present site of Guilford. 

W. J. Brittain came, in 1848, from North Carolina and took a claim 
one mile and a-half east of the present town of Guilford, on section 14, 
township 62, range 34. 

John Pulley, a son-in-law of Thomas Blakely, emigrated from Cooper 
County, Missouri, and took a claim three-fourths of a mile southwest of 
the present site of Guilford ; and James T. Estes, another son-in-law, 
came from Cooper County, Missouri, and located one mile and a-fourth 
east of the present location of Guilford. 



3l8 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In the spring of 1850 Anthony Groves emigrated from Tennessee 
and located near the present site of Guilford, about one-fourth of a mile 
west. 

In the same year B. S. Cook came from North Carolina and took a 
claim one and one-half miles northwest of where Guilford is now located. 

I. Wilson emigrated from Buchanan County in 185 1, and settled on 
Clear Creek. He has been in the Platte Purchase forty-four years, com- 
ing in October, 1837. 

When W. J. Brittain immigrated to Washington Township, in the 
year 1848, he went sixteen miles to Hobson's Mill, on the One Hundred 
and Two River, four miles northeast of Savannah. When Mr. I. Wilson 
came he went to Waterville to mill, which was located on the Platte, nine 
miles south of the place where Guilford is located. Matthew White- 
ford emigrated from Indiana in 1864, and settled one mile southwest of 
the present town of Guilford, where he still lives. Mr. Whiteford owns 
about 1,300 acres of land, and he has been engaged quite extensively in 
handling live stock. His residence is elegant, and his surroundings are 
arranged with a view to comfort. His barn is well constructed, con- 
tains 50,000 feet of lumber, and cost $3,000. 

The first school house in the township was erected in the year 1845. 
upon the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 22, town- 
ship 62, range 34. The first school teacher was a Miss Stockton. The 
second was B. L. Cook, who taught three terms of school in succession. 

The township officers in the year 1876 were as follows : Trustee, 
Rufus McMackin ; Clerk, Elias Stout ; Assessor, B. L. Cook ; Collector. 
L. C. Brittain ; Constable, Eli Akers ; Justice of the Peace, P. J. Hainey 
and H. G. Richards. 

GUILFORD. 



This village, the voting precinct of Washington Township, is located 
one mile east of the west line of this township, and about fourteen miles 
southeast of Maryville. It lies on the east bluff of the Platte River, and 
the location is quite picturesque. At an early day there was a post office 
named Carterville, and also a store, a little north of the present site of 
Guilford. When the town of Guilford was laid off this post office was 
moved there and the name changed from Carterville to Guilford. The 
town was probably named from Guilford Court House, North Carolina, 
where a battle was fought during the Revolutionary War. 

William Irwin entered the land on which the town of Guilford is 
located, in the year 1852. He disposed of his interest in it about the 
year 1856, to O. H. P. Craig, a merchant from Savannah. The town was 
surveyed and platted in the year 1856, Mr. Rowley being the surveyor. 
There was a public sale of lots soon after the town was surveyed. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 319 

O. H. P. Craig put up the first building and opened a stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. He sold the first goods in the town. B. S. Cook and 
James R. Shepherd were the carpenters who did the work on Mr. Craig's 
building. B. L. Cook, Esq., put up the next building for a drug store. 
During the same time Wm. Irwin erected a store for general merchan- 
dise. In the year 1858 O. H. P. Craig sold his interest in the town to 
John Chandler, and quite a number of buildings were erected whose 
exact sequence it is hard to trace. Wm. Chandler put up a dwelling, 
Wm. Gibson erected a dwelling and a store, Caleb Richards built a 
dwelling, Willis Summers and Harvey M. Robinson put up dwellings. 
A steam saw mill was erected by Willis Summers and Harvey M. Rob- 
inson. In 1859 Hugh Groves built a store for general merchandise, 
which had a Masonic Hall in the second story. About this time there 
was also built a store for general merchandise by P. Hawk. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, erected a church edifice in 
1873, and the Methodist Episcopal Church put up one a little later. 

There has been a public school in Guilford since the town was 
located. There was first a log school house which was displaced by a 
good frame school house. The present teacher is Mr. T. J. Reznor, who 
has had twelve years experience in teaching. The school is well con- 
ducted. The present directors are John W. Ballard, president ; B. L. 
Cook, secretary, and Matthew Whiteford. 

The first marriage in Guilford was that of Mr. Charles Craig and 
Mrs. Mary Ann Landers, in the year 1858. 

A son of Dr. J. S. Mc Adorn died in the year 1857 — the first death 
that occurred in Guilford. 

The population of Guilford is estimated at 100. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Akers, Joseph, blacksmith. 

Bellows, Frank, stock dealer. 

Carver, James, nurseryman. 

Gleaves, J. S., physician and surgeon. 

Hawk, J. P., general merchandise. 

McDonald, A., basket maker. 

Reznor, Thomas J., teacher. 

Roberts, E., wagon maker and undertaker. 

Roberts, John D., carpenter. 

Roberts, Miss Rachie, dressmaker. 

Stewart, John, hotel keeper and harness maker. 

Stewart, John, justice of the peace. 

Stewart, O. A., dealer in fine hogs. 

Whiteford, Matthew, stock dealer. 



320 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church was organized several years ago, but the date does not 
seem to be of record. The names of the consecutive pastors are as fol- 
lows : Revs. Morton, Beggs, Breed, Ely, Cowden, Morton, Chivington, 
Roof, Moorhcad, Edmunds, Mood)' and O. Bruner, the present pastor. 

Eighteen members worship at the church in Guilford, and thirty-five 
at Pleasant View school house. The pastor reports the church in statu 
quo. The church property is valued at $800. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH. 

In the year 1858 the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Guilford, was 
organized, with the following named members : Amos McDaniel and 
wife, Sidney Smith and wife, J. Hugh McClanahan and wife, Elisha Carigo 
and wife, Isaac Sharp and wife, and Mrs. Catherine Edwards. The fol- 
lowing named ministers have been pastors of the church : Revs. William 
M. Robbins, W. W. McMurray, H. C. Dodd, T. Grimes, Mr. Parker and 
H. C. Bolen. Rev. Mr. Mylum is the present pastor of the church. 

During the time of the war services were suspended in this church, 
many of the members being absent. The church property is valued at 
$1,500. 

GUILFORD LODGE, NO. 474, A. F. k A. M. 

Guilford Lodge was organized in the year 1874. The names of the 
charter members are as follows: I. Wilson, J. F. Davis, J. W. Brittain, 
R. Morris, W. H. Pope, S. Broderick, John Lanning, John S. Miller, T. 
A. Martin, J. B. Wilson, H. H. Snoderly, A. S. McClannahan and Alex- 
ander Floyd. 

The names of the officers at the present time are as follows : I. 
Wilson, W. M.; T. J. Brittain. S. W.; Joseph Akers, J. W.; J. B. Wilson, 
Treasurer; H. G. Richards, Secretary ; W. J. Beggs, S. D.; J. W. Brit- 
tain, J. D.; R. Morris, Tyler. 

The present membership numbers twenty-two. The lodge own 
their hall. It meets on or before each full moon. The lodge is reported 
to be in a satisfactory condition. 

FIDELITY LODGE, NO. 1 72, I. O. G. T. 

Fidelity Lodge of Good Templars received its organization in Feb- 
ruary, 1879, with the following named charter members : Dr. J. M. 
Moorhead, John Roberts, Harry Moorhead, Mrs. Susan Gleaves, John 
Stewart, Miss Amanda Stewart, William Gleaves, Maggie Craig, Ida 
Ham, Ellen Ham, John Craig, and Mrs. Barlow. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



321 



The officers of the lodge at the present time are, F. A. Brittain, W. 
C. T.; Eliza Weatherman, W. V. T.; Hugh Craig, Secretary; John 
Felker, Marshal ; Jennie Gleaves, Treasurer ; Eugene Redman, Finan- 
cial Secretary; John Weatherman, O. G.; Emma McDaniel, I. G.; 
Thomas Redman, Lodge Deputy ; Rachael Roberts, Chaplain. 

The membership of the lodge numbers at the present time twenty- 
five. It meets every Saturday night, and is prosperous. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 

WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 

ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES- EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS-BRIDGE- 
WATER— ARKOE— BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 

This township is now bounded on the north by Polk Township, on 
the east by Grant Township, on the south by a portion of Andrew County, 
and on the west by Hughes Township. As White Cloud Township has 
been modified, in regard to its boundaries, since its first organization, 
we give the orders of court establishing it. 

At the April special term, 1845, we find the following order of court 
establishing White Cloud Township : 

44 All the territory within the following limits shall be called and 
known by the name of White Cloud Township, to wit : 

"Beginning at the southeast corner of Hughes Township, on the 
line dividing Nodaway and Andrew Counties ; thence east with said 
line to the river One Hundred and Two ; thence up said river to town- 
ship 63 ; thence east with said towship line to the north part of Gent's 
Grove ; thence north to the north line of said township ; thence west on 
the line dividing townships 63 and 64, to the east boundaries of Hughes 
Township ; thence south with said township line to the place of begin- 
ning." 

June 14, 1866, the councy court defined the bounds of White Cloud 
Township as follows : 

44 Commencing at the northeast corner of section 14, township 63 
range 35 ; thence west on section line between 11 and 14, 10 and 15, 9 
and 16, 8 and 17, 7 and 18, township 63, range 35, and sections 12 and 
13, 11 and 14, to the northwest corner of section 14, township 63, range 
36 ; thence south on section line between sections 14 and 15, 22 and 23, 
26 and 27, 34 and 35, in township 63, range 36, and sections 2 and 3, 10 
and II, 14 and 15, 22 and 23, 26 and 27, 34 and 35, to the southeast cor- 
ner of section 35, in towship 62, range 36, to said county line ; thence 
east on the county line and township line between townships 61 and 62, 
to tin- southeast corner of section 35 ; thence north on section line 
between sections 35 and 36, 25 and 26, 23 and 24, 14 and 15, 11 and 12, 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 323 

i and 2, township 62, range 35, and sections 35 and 36, 25 and 26, 23 and 
24, 13 and 14, to the northeast corner of section 14, township 63, range 
35, to the place of beginning." 

Subsequently, Grant Township was formed out of territory which 
originally belonged to White Cloud and Washington Townships. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

White Cloud Township is touched on the northeast by the One 
Hundred and Two River. White Cloud Creek runs through the town- 
ship from north to south, being deflected a little in its course toward 
the east. The land of the township is rolling, especially along the 
streams. White Cloud Creek is fed by quite a number of small branches, 
particularly on the east side, which afford abundance of water for stock 
purposes. The soil is a deep black loam, averaging, on the uplands, 
about two feet in depth. There is very little bottom land along the 
White Cloud, the rolling timber land approaching near the stream. 
There is an abundance of lime and sandstone for all necessary purposes. 
The belts of timber along the streams increase in width as we go south- 
ward, and it is estimated that one fifth of the area of the township is 
timbered land. The soil is well adapted to the growth of corn, wheat, 
oats, and other cereals, and for the various varieties of fruit Cultivated 
grasses have been introduced, and the raising of stock is one of the 
leading industries of the people. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settler in White Cloud Township was Hiram Hall, who 
came in 1840, and settled one and one-fourth miles southeast of the pres- 
ent site of Arkoe. He entered a claim, and cultivated his farm for sev- 
eral years, but sold out about the year i860, and moved to Kansas. 
Thomas Groves came from Tennessee about the year 1842. and settled 
on section 6, township 63, range 35. He has lived there ever since his 
first settlement near the White Cloud, and has an excellent farm. He 
has recently met with a serious misfortune in the loss of his home by fire. 
but such a loss will be small in comparison to the privations incident to 
pioneer life. Hiram Groves, a brother of Thomas Groves, emigrated 
from Tennessee in 1842, and pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 
18, township 63, range 35. He lived on his place about five years when 
he sold out to Alfred Jones who came from Rush County, Indiana, arriv- 
ing April 13th, 1847. Mr. Jones has lived on the same place ever since. 
He says, since he came he has has had only one failure of crops, which was 
in the year i860. Some of Mr. Jones' experiences are worthy of record, as 
showing the condition of things more than thirty years ago. He says 



324 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the elk and buffalo had disappeared before he came. One buffalo was 
chased across the ice on the Missouri River near where the White Cloud 
ferry was located. The winter was very cold and the river froze over, 
the ice being thick enough to bear the weight of heavy teams. Hunters 
pursued a buffalo into Nodaway County and it was killed about four 
miles west of Mr. Jones' farm. 

Elk and deer horns were so thick in those early days that they 
looked like dry limbs scattered over the prairie. No mowing machine 
could have mowed the prairie grass at that time on account of these 
horns. Mr. Jones says the turkeys were so thick in those days that he 
has often killed with his shotgun three at a time. Once he saw 
some turkeys walking along a furrow or ridge of ground, one nearly 
behind another, and at one shot killed seven, and wounded two 
or three more, crippling them so much that they were not able to fly, 
but ran off and thus escaped. He says he has sometimes killed five deer 
in one day. He hunted deer at times in the night. His child would 
carry the lantern, and he going carefully beside the child would see the 
eyes of the deer glisten and shoot them. Once he saw fifty deer in a 
herd, and at another time thirty-two. Tame turkeys would fight the 
wild ones, and sometimes go off with them. He has lost four flocks in 
this way. When a deer was shot, the hunters would hang it up on a 
small tree, to keep it from the wolves, which were very trouble- 
some. When a deer was killed and brought in, the wolves would 
follow in and howl fearfully around the house most of the night. Fur ani- 
mals were very thick on the One Hundred and Two River. He says that 
Dr. Talbott caught enough otters to make himself a fine overcoat. 

In pioneer times bees flourished on account of the wild flowers with 
which the prairie abounded. Mr. Jones says he has taken sixty and 
eighty pounds, a washtubful, of honey, out of a single bee gum. Bee 
hunters would fall a bee tree at night, close the orifice from which the 
bees escaped, saw off the log on both sides of the bees, and taking it 
home, set up the part of the tree in which the bees were located, calling 
it a bee gum. Hollow trees were often cut off in sections, four or five 
feet in length, cleaned out with an ax or chisel, and boards nailed on the 
ends. Mr Jones says he has had thirty-three such bee gums at one time. 
He prefers them to patent hives, and says the bee moths are less destruct- 
ive with the old-fashioned bee gums. 

The pioneer had one advantage over the farmer of the present time 
which Mr. Jones thought worthy of especial mention. The range in 
those days was unlimited, and the grasses were very luxuriant. Under- 
neath the tall rank grass, even during much of the winter, the grass 
would still be green and fresh, and cattle would thrive upon it a 'ong 
time in the season after the farmer of the present day begins to feed 
them. Cattle would become exceedingly fat on the open range, to such 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 325 

a degree that the meat was almost too fat for the table. Deer would 
become so fat that when dressed and hung up they would look as white 
as a dressed sheep. Cattle were marked and turned out on the range, 
and the pioneer gave them no further thought until the " round up," when 
each pioneer would claim his own stock. Corn, however, left out in the 
shock would be half eaten up by deer and turkeys. 

Isaac Newton Prather, of whom we have spoken elsewhere in this 
work, came from Kentucky in 1841, and located two miles west of the 
present site of Arkoe. He owned 1,800 acres of land. His son, James 
B. Prather, is a druggist in Maryville. Isaac Cox came in 1843 from 
Kentucky, and located four miles, a little northwest, of the present site 
of Arkoe. About this time Mr. Hanna emigrated from Kentucky, and 
settled seven miles southwest of the present site of Arkoe. R. J. Boat- 
wright left Kentucky in 1845, and came to Nodaway County and located 
on the northeast quarter of section 18, township 63, range 35. John and 
George McLain, brothers-in-law of Hiram Groves, came from Kentucky 
about this time, and settled four miles northwest of the present location 
of Arkoe. James Bryant, a half-breed, took a claim three miles west of 
where Arkoe is now located. Mrs. Martha Vandervert emigrated from 
Kentucky in the year 1843, and located one mile and a half west. of the 
present site of Arkoe. In the year 1846, James Saunders came from 
Virginia and settled on the northwest quarter of section 18, township 
63, range 35. Aaron and Isaac Groves came from Tennessee and 
located five miles west of the present town of Arkoe. About the same 
time, Wm. A. Ammons emigrated from Virginia and settled on the 
White Cloud some four miles west of the present site of Arkoe. Mija- 
min Byers came from Illinois soon after, and located two miles and a 
half southwest of the farm of Alfred Jones. Soon afterward, Simon 
Holland emigrated from Tennessee and located six miles west of the 
present town of Arkoe, and one mile south. William Edster, about that 
time, came from Kentucky, and settled four miles west of where Arkoe 
is now located. Soon afterward, Nicholas Kavanaugh emigrated from 
Kentucky, and commenced farming seven miles northwest of the pres- 
ent site of Arkoe. 

On May 6, 1850, the pioneers state that there was a snowfall four 
inches deep. It cleared off warm the next day, the snow went off, and 
there was no more cold weather that spring. They state that August 26, 
1863, there was a terrible cold spell of weather. The roasting ears of 
corn froze so hard, they say, the hogs could not eat them. The corn in 
the river valleys was ruined. On June 3, 1875, it snowed, but very little 
of the snow reached the surface of the earth. On September 16, 1881, 
it snowed hard. The polar current seemed to break through suddenly, 
pushing the equatorial current above it, and the reduced temperature 
precipitated the moisture with which the air was heavily laden, in the 



326 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



form of snow. Although the snow melted very fast, it fell to the depth 
of about four inches, and had it not melted, the depth would 
probably have reached eight inches. Further south the moisture was 
precipitated in rain, and at St. Joseph, Kansas City and lower points, 
there were reports of heavy rain. The trees were all in their glorious 
foliage, and the scene presented at Maryville and other places in Noda- 
way County, of the trees all bending under their heavy loads of snow, 
the branches trailing like weeping willows, in many places to the very 
ground, was never to be forgotten. The snow went off immediately 
and the next day but one, was as lovely as ever shone down on Eden's 
bowers. Nature seemed to forget her strange freak, and as compensa- 
tion, a lovlier day never smiled on the earth. The two days photo- 
graphed on the opposite pages of a book, would form a contrast sel- 
dom seen in. any clime. One of the pioneers dryly remarked, " That 
was the greatest snow I ever saw." 

OLD SETTLERS. 



Hiram Hall came in 1840. 
Stephen Barnes, in 1841. 
John Wesley, in 1841. 
Benjamin Windom, in 1841. 
John McClain, in 1841. 
George McClain, Jr., in 1841. 
Harvey White, in 1840. 
Thomas Groves, in 1841. 

Hubbell, in 1841. 

William H. Davis, in 1841. 
Hiram Davis, in 1841. 
James Bryant, in 1839. 
Paul Connor, in 1842. 
James B. Prather, in 1842. 
Joseph E. Alexander, in 1842. 
John Wiggs, in 182. 
[Long] John McClain, in 1842. 
Edward S. Stephenson, in 1843. 
Dr. David M. Irwin, in 1843. 
Daniel Swearingen, in 1843. 
Nicholas Swearingen. 
John B. Morgan, in 1841. 
John McDonald Morgan, in 1841. 
A don ij ah Morgan, in 1841. 
William W. Morgan, in 1841. 



Nathaniel Barnes came in 1841 
Thomas Barnes, in 1841. 
Jesse Windom, in 1841. 
George McClain, in 1841. 
James McClain, in 1841. 
Greenville Thompson, in 1841. 
Hiram Groves, in 1841. 
Elijah Bunten, in 1840. 
Wade H. Davis, in 1841. 
Smithan Davis, in 1841. 
James W. Davis, in 1841. 
Mijamin Byers, in 1842. 
Isaac Newton Prather, in 1842. 
I. N. Prather, Jr., in 1842. 
John Randall, in 1842. 
[Little] John McClain, in 142. 
Jesse Stephenson, in 1843. 
Isaac Cox, in 1843. 
Henry Swearingen, in 1843. 
Henry Swearingen, Jr. 
Andrew Jackson Swearingen. 
Dr. J. W. Morgan, in 1S41. 
Amaziah Morgan, in 1841. 
Lewis Morgan, in 1841. 



"HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 327 

BRIDGEWATER. 

The land on which Bridgewater was located was originally owned 
by O. A. Howard, who cultivated it as a farm. At a very early day Mr. 
J. B. Cox built a mill on the One Hundred and Two River where Bridge- 
water was afterwards situated. In 1870, Page, Warren & Phelps, con- 
tractors of the Branch Railroad, bought the Howard tract of land and 
laid off the town of Bridgewater. The One Hundred and Two River 
near Bridgewater makes an elbow toward the west. At this bend in the 
riv«r there are two railroad bridges within about one thousand feet of 
•each other with a county bridge located between them, bridging the 
water of the One Hundred and Two three times. The bridges being 
placed in close proximity to each other, naturally suggested the name of 
the town. William Elrod & Son built the first house in the town, and 
opened a general stock of merchandise. John W. Walker was the first 
postmaster in Bridgewater. Nelson Wilson, in 1871, moved a building 
which was a little west of the site, into the town, and opened a stock of 
mixed merchandise. Mr. Miller built a saloon in 1871, but failing to 
receive a majority of the votes of White Cloud Township, he did not 
obtain a license, and so the saloon was not opened. 

Meanwhile, Dr. P. H. Talbott had granted the right of way through 
his land on certain conditions, which resulted in the location of another 
town called 

ARKOE, 

about one mile north of the old town of Bridgewater, which was conse- 
quently abandoned. Dr. P. H. Talbott and S. K. Snively laid off the 
town of Arkoe, September 15, 1874. Judge John Brady surveyed and 
platted the town. Dr. Talbott found the name in reading the work 
•entitled " Twenty Thousand Miles Under the Sea," and selected it as 
the name of the new town. There was no public sale of lots. Lot 1, 
block 3, was presented by S. K. Snively to W. G. Turner. Dr. P. H. 
Talbott then sold two lots, lots 4 and 5, block 8, to Nelson Wilson for 
fifty dollars. Nelson Wilson moved a building from the former site of 
Bridgewater to Arkoe, and opened a store of general merchandise. 
This was the first building in the new town. Mr. W. G. Turner erected 
the second building in 1875, and put in a stock of mixed merchandise. 
C. A. Dewey built a dwelling in 1876, the third building in Arkoe. Dr. 
W. M. Sammis put up a building in 1877, and still uses it as an office. 
Mr. S. K. Snively presented a lot to James Buckridge, who built a black- 
smith shop in 1878. Mr. Buckridge was the first blacksmith in Arkoe. 
Nelson Wilson was the first postmaster. The first death in Arkoe 
occurred July 18, 1880, a son of William Early. The first child was born 
January 28, 1881, a son to Mr. and Mrs. Bragg. 



328 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Mr. S. K. Snively erected a wind engine in the village,, near his 
store, which forces the water from a living spring, or stream, that flows 
a few feet below the surface in the rocks, into tanks for the use of the 
public. The water is of excellent quality, and very abundant. There is 
also a tank engine for raising river water for railroad purposes. 

Arkoe is located one-fourth of a mile west of the One Hundred 
and Two River, and has a population of about fifty. The valley is fer- 
tile, and the situation is healthful and pleasant. The town will evidently 
increase in size and importance, and become the center of a consid- 
erable trade. 

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 

Bond, H. C, depot agent. 
Sammis, W. M., physician. 
McFarland, William, blacksmith. 
Snively, S. K., general merchandise. 
Snively, S. K., postmaster. 
Turner, W. G., general merchandise- 




CHAPTER XXIV. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

THE OLD LOG COURT HOUSE— SECOND AND PRESENT COURT HOUSES-JAILS-COUNTY 

POOR FARM. 

Notwithstanding the fact that a large number, probably a majority 
of the people in every county, have very little practical experience in 
the courts, and although they have the legal capacity to sue and be sued, 
never improve their opportunities, and never appear in court, unless it 
be on compulsion as witnesses and jurors ; yet, as the one great con- 
servator of peace, and as the final arbiter, in case of individual or neigh- 
borhood disputes, the court is distinguished above and apart from al! 
and every other institution of the land, and not only the proceedings of 
the court, but the place of holding court, is a matter of interest to the 
average reader. 

Not only so, but in many counties the court house was the first, and 
usually the only public building in the county. 

The first court houses were not very elaborate buildings, to be sure,^ 
but they are enshrined in memories that the present never can know. 

Their uses were general, rather than special, and so constantly were 
they in use, day and night when the court was in session, and when it was 
not in session, for judicial, educational, religious and social purposes, that 
the doors of the old court houses, like the gates of gospel grace, stood 
open, night and day, and the small amount invested in those old hewn 
logs, and rough benches, returned a much better rate of interest on the 
investment, than do those stately piles of brick or granite which have 
taken their places. 

The memorable court house of early times was a house adapted to 
a variety of purposes, and had a career of great usefulness. 

School was taught, the gospel preached, and justice dispensed, within 
its substantial walls. Then it served, frequently, as a resting place for 
weary travelers, and, indeed, its doors always swung on easy hinges. 

If the old settlers are to be believed, all the old court houses, when 
first erected in this western country, often rang on the pioneer Sabbath 
with a more stirring eloquence than that which enlivens the pulpits of 
the present time. Many of the earliest ministers officiated in their walls, 
aud if they could but speak, they would doubtless tell many a strange 
tale of pioneer religion that is now lost forever. 



330 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

To those old court houses ministers came of different faiths, but all 
eager to expound the simple truths of a sublime and beautiful religion, 
and point out for comparison the thorny path of duty and the primrose 
way of dalliance. Often have those old walls given back the echoes of 
those who sang the songs of Zion, and many an erring wanderer has had 
his heart moved to repentance thereby more strongly than ever by the 
strains of homely eloquence. 

With Monday morning the old building changed in character, and 
men went thither seeking not the mercy of God, but the justice of man. 
The scales were held with an even hand. Those who presided knew 
every man in the county, and they dealt out substantial justice, and the 
broad principles of natural equity prevailed. 

Children went there to school and sat at the feet of teachers who 
knew little more than themselves ; but, however humble the teacher's 
acquirements, he was hailed as a wise man and a benefactor, and his les- 
sons were heeded with attention. The old people of the settlement went 
there to discuss their own affairs, and learn from visiting attorneys the 
news from the great world, so far away to the southward and eastward. 

In addition to the orderly assemblies which formally gathered there, 
other meetings no less notable occurred. It was a sort of a forum, whither 
all classes of people went for the purpose of loafing and gossiping, and 
telling and hearing some new thing. 

As a general thing, the first court house, after having served the 
purpose of its erection, and having served that purpose well, is torn down 
and conveyed to the rear of some remote corner lot, and thereafter is 
made to serve the purpose of an obscure cow stable on some dark alley. 
The old court house at Maryville, however, after having accomplished 
its mission, was used for a much higher and nobler purpose, being con- 
verted into a school house, and thereafter devoted to the education and 
instruction of the youth. 

There is little of the poetic and romantic in the make-up of Western 
society, and the old court house, after the building of the new one, ceased 
to be regarded with reverence and awe. 

In a new country, where every energy of the people is necessarily 
employed in the practical work of earning a living, and the always urgent 
and ever present question of bread and butter is up for solution, people 
cannot be expected to devote much time to the poetic and ideal. It 
therefore follows that nothing was retained as a useless relic which could 
be turned to some utility ; but it is a shame that the people of modern 
times have such little reverence for the relics of former days. After 
these houses ceased to be available for business purposes they should 
have been preserved, to have at least witnessed the semi-centennial of 
the county's history. It is sad that, in their hurry to grow rich, so few 
have care even for the work of their own hands. How many of the early 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 33 1 

settlers have preserved their first habitations ? The sight of that humble 
cabin would be a source of much consolation in old age, as it reminded 
the owner of the trials and triumphs of other times, and its presence 
would go far toward reconciling the coming generation with their lot 
when comparing its lowly appearance with the modern residence, whose 
extensive apartments are beginning to be too unpretentious for the 
•enterprising and irrepressible "Young Americans." 

OLD LOG COURT HOUSE. 

In the records of the County Court of Nodaway County for the Feb- 
ruary term, 1846, are found the following orders for the erection of a 
court house in Maryville : 

" Ordered that an appropriation of two hundred and fifty dollars be 
made for the purpose of building a court house in Maryville, the seat of 
justice of Nodaway County, Missouri. 

" Ordered that the building of a court house be let out to the lowest 
bidder on the first Monday in March, 1846, of the following dimensions, 
to wit : 

Thirty-two feet long and twenty feet wide, with a partition wall, so 
as to make one room twenty feet long and the other twelve feet long, 
and each twenty feet wide — all to be of good logs and durable timber. 
Rooms each to be nine feet between floors, and all covered with good 
shingles ; lower floor to be of good oak plank, well seasoned and pointed ; 
to be sealed or plastered overhead nine feet from the lower floor ; one 
door and window in the small room, and one door and three windows 
in the large room ; windows to be of twelve lights, glass 10x8, and good 
sash. Doors to be good, strong plain doors. There shall be six good 
stone pillars under the sills, one foot above the surface of the ground. 
The whole building to be well chinked, and pointed with good lime 
mortar. A good stack chimney in the middle of the partition, so as to 
make a fireplace in each room ; to be of good bricks, all to be finished 
in workmanlike style by the first day of September, 1846." 

The ground where this old court house stood is now occupied by 
Ditmer's agricultural establishment. The old court house was not com- 
pleted until the next spring, and was not plastered when the spring 
term of court was held. It served the purposes of the county for nine 
•or ten years, when it gave place to the brick court house recently taken 
down. 

BRICK COURT HOUSE. 

The following order appears on the record of the county court of 
Nodaway County, for the July term, 1853 : 



33 2 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

"Ordered that James Ray be, and he is hereby appointed superin- 
tendent of the building of the court house in Maryville, the seat of justice 
of Nodaway County, Missouri, and that thirty-five hundred dollars be 
appointed for building the same." 

It was subsequently ordered that : 

"The plan of a court house submitted by James Ray, to be built in 
Maryville, the seat of justice of Nodaway County, Missouri, is received 
as to size and materials, but a full set of specifications accompanying the 
plan shall be submitted for inspection of bidders and contractors on the 
day of letting out the same. And that the same be let out to the lowest 
and best bidder." 

The following is also a matter of record : 

"James Ray presents an account against the county for contingent 
expenses as superintendent, for $3.05, which is allowed, and a warrant 
issued therefor." 

The eld brick court house served the purposes of the county until 
the summer of 1881, and was used on all occasions up to that time, except 
during the trial of the Talbott boys, when it was deemed unsafe, and the 
circuit court adjourned to Union Hall. Immediately after that trial the 
question was agitated, and a proposition submitted to the people to erect 
a new court house adequate to the wants of the county. Said proposition 
was carried, and seventy-two thousand dollars worth of bonds sold at a 
premium of three per cent. Steps had already been inaugurated to take 
down the old court house, and during its process of removal the briefest 
session of the circuit court ever held in Nodaway County occurred. We 
give a humorous pen and ink sketch of this session, which only occupied 
thirty-six minutes : 

"The briefest teim of circuit court, perhaps, ever held in Nodaway 
County, was in session on the evening of the nth inst. The 8 o'clock- 
train on the Kansas City Road brought the Hon. H. S. Kelley, David 
Stotts, and Estella May Howard up from Savannah, Missouri. Miss 
Howard was charged with having, on the 14th day of July last, stolen 
about ninety dollars' worth of wearing apparel and jewelry from Mrs. C. 
0. Smith, of this city. It being more than sixty days before the next 
regular term of circuit court, the prisoner desired a special term for the 
disposal of her case. When Judge Kelley reached our city, he learned 
that our county court had failed to provide a room for holding circuit 
court while the old ' court house is being removed and the new one 
erected. He decided to hold the special term on the upper floor of the 
old court house, which, at the time, had been unroofed by the workmen. 
The scene was picturesque, reminding one of "The Alhambra by 
Moonlight," or "The Coliseum at Rome.' The twelve grand jurors, 
squatted in one corner of the old ruins, resembled more a council of 
warriors than a legal body. The forms of law were dispatched by this 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 333 

tribunal in a few minutes, and "A True Bill" was brought to the other 
c rner of the open square, where it was filed in due and ancient style 
with the circuit clerk, who was at the time sitting on the sill of what had 
once been a window of the old court house. The grand jury was dis- 
charged, and the members scattered to convenient nooks and corners of 
the old edifice and leaned against the walls to await the coming events. 
What a novel scene ! The openings in the walls at irregular intervals 
allowed the rays of the moon to play upon the lime-littered floor. The 
plaintive strains of a dozen crickets from the old walls and adjacent 
trees breathed forth a requiem for the departing temple of justice. 
Ever and anon a star would shoot across the arched canopy above, 
while the dry summer wind rustled along the unprotected walls of the 
building, and small twirls of dirt and dust sought to creep into the very 
eyes of those who were engaged in upholding the majesty of the law. 
The light upon the improvised stand in front of the court went out, but 
the light of the moon, assisted by the irregular flashes of a Democratic 
campaign torch, rendered ocular efforts tolerably certain. Estella, 
tremblingly, ascended the rickety, decaying stairway, accompanied by 
bailiffs, who lingeringly followed behind. When the prisoner reached 
the open area in front of the court, like a startled hare, she cast quick 
glances at the half concealed forms in the several corners, then, quiver- 
ing with emotion too wild for expression, she sank into a chair at hand 
and buried her face in her handkerchief. What a stillness prevailed 
throughout that open forum ! The tremulous breathings of the prisoner 
were muffled by the moon-beams, while each pulsation caused the 
beads, which dangled from the margin of her gypsy hat, to tingle like 
distant bells and to glisten in the light like so many miniature chande- 
liers. All remained quiescent. Fortuitously, a huge bat might have 
been seen to flit from its hiding place and perch upon an open volume 
of the statutes which lay in front of the court. This intrusion broke the 
spell. The court, in low and measured tones, informed the prisoner of 
the charged preferred against her, and asked, "Are you guilty, or not 
guilty?" The prisoner, shyly lifting her drooping head, half whispered, 
"I am guilty." The court pronounced her sentence to be two years in the 
State Penitentiary, remarking, "If you are a good girl, one-fourth of the 
time will be remitted you." She answered : I always was a good girl. 
My mother always said I was the best girl she ever had." 

The prisoner was reconducted to jail. The term of court stood 
adjourned. Time, thirty-six minutes. 

THE NEW COURT HOUSE. 

As the people of Nodaway County have a deep interest in the new 
court house, we have in this volume presented an elevated view of the 
building, and here give a description of the same. 



334 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The building will be 1 1 1 feet and six inches in length and seventy- 
six feet in width. The height from the grade line to the cornice will be 
forty-six feet, and from the grade to the highest part of the tower, 14a 
feet. There will be a basement excavated for the fuel room and heat- 
ing apparatus, in the south end, thirty feet in length and nine feet in 
depth. The floor in the basement will be cement. 

The first story is fifteen feet eight inches in the clear. This contains 
a recorder's office sixteen by twenty-nine feet ; a county clerk's office 
of the same dimensions, and each of these offices has a fire-proof vault 
ten by twenty feet. There is also a probate judge's office and a county 
judge's office, each twenty-nine by sixteen feet. The probate judge's 
office has a fire-proof vault nine by ten feet, and the county judge has 
a private office ten by twelve feet. The county recorder and the county 
treasurer each have an office sixteen by eighteen feet, and each has a 
fire-proof vault six by nine feet. 

At the opposite part of the building, and corresponding, is a seconds 
grand jury's room sixteen by eighteen feet, and another room of the 
same size not assigned to any specific use. There is a large room for a 
wash room and janitor's room twenty-eight by eleven feet. 

On the second floor there are rooms for the clerk of the circuit court 
and county attorney, and two jury rooms, each of which are sixteen by 
eighteen feet. Attached to the county attorney's office there is a con- 
sultation room, eight by eleven feet. The office of the clerk of the circuit 
court has a fire proof vault, six by nine feet. The court room, situated 
on this floor, is forty-five feet six inches in width and seventy feet in 
length. The height of this story is twenty-four feet. But the rooms in 
this story excepting the court room, are sixteen feet in height. 

On entering the house from the east and west, one comes into a cor- 
ridor ten feet in width, and extending the whole length of the building. 
There is a cross corridor at the west end, where the general stairways 
are located, eleven feet wide by fifty feet long. This corridor is floored 
with marble tiling. The two main stairways to the second floor are 
constructed of iron. They are five feet wide, and have a landing at about 
two-thirds their height. At the east end of the building there is another 
stairway for the judge, similar to the other stairway, only it is con- 
structed of wood. On the second floor, on each side of the court room, 
are corridors eleven feet wide, extending the whole length of the build- 
ing. Large double doors enter from these corridors into the court room. 
The court room is arranged in the usual manner, with the judge's desk, 
clerk's desk and jury box. In addition to the rooms already given, are 
witness' rooms, sheriff's room, and judge's retiring room, each twelve 
feet square, and also a wash room, eleven feet square. 

On the second floor, on the inside of the tower, is a winding stair. 
One can ascend in this one hundred feet from the ground, which will 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 335 

afford a grand view of Maryville, and the surrounding country, for miles 
in every direction. 

The exterior of the building is to be faced with St. Joseph pressed 
brick, with trimmings of sandstone from Parkville, Missouri. The style 
of architecture of the building may be termed the modern Penaissance. 
All the windows have a transom with stained glass, as well as the out- 
side doors. This is an innovation in the construction of court houses, 
but is very appropriate. The porticos of the principal entrances are of 
solid stone, with heavy columns, and finely carved capitals. The foun- 
dation walls will be four feet six inches in thickness, and the whole 
building will be of the most substantial character. The court house will 
be heated in every part by steam, the cheapest and most effectual method 
now known of heating buildings. The building will be well lighted and 
ventilated. It is to be plumbed for water from top to bottom, and a 
cistern is to be built in the basement with a force pump placed in it of 
sufficient power to force water into a tank in the attic. All the vaults 
will be fire and burglar proof, as much so as the vaults of banks. These 
will be shelved and fully furnished for the holding of all books and rec- 
ords of the different offices, and the books and records will be kept in 
these vaults, thus securing absolute protection from fire. The cornice 
of the house and the tower trimmings are to be of galvanized iron. The 
steep parts of the roof will be of slate and the deck of tin. All the 
ridges will be furnished with a cresting of cast iron. The cost of the 
building will be about $55,000, and, when completed, Nodaway County 
will have one of the best court houses, in all respects, to be found in the 
State of Missouri. 

MARYVILLE JAIL. 

At the December term of 1856, the following order appears in the 
records of the Nodaway County Court : 

"Ordered that the sheriff advertise according to law, and let to the 
lowest bidder on the first Monday in February next, the building of a 
jail in Maryville, on the plan heretofore used, except that the inside 
shall be lined with boiler iron, well spiked on." 

At the October term of 1857, the following order appears of record : 
"Ordered that the sum of three thousand dollars be and the same is 
hereby appropriated to build a jail in Maryville, Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and that Wm. O. Howard be and he is hereby appointed superin- 
tendent to have the same done." 

At the February term of 1858, occurs the following order : 
"Ordered that James Ray be and he is hereby appointed superin- 
tendent of a jail to be built in Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and that he advertise according to law and let the same to the' lowest 
bidder at the May term 1858 of this court." 



336 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

At the May term of 1858, it was "Ordered that the jail be erected 
on the public square, thirty feet north of the clerk's office, and the west 
side or end thereof to be on a line with the east side of said clerk's 
office to front south, and windows to be on the south side." 

November 10, 1868, it was "Ordered, That the county jail of Noda- 
way County be granted to the trustees of the inhabitants of the incor- 
porated town of Maryville, for such uses and purposes as they may think 
necessary under the incorporation law." 

This old jail served the purposes of the county very well, but was 
condemned by the grand jury about two years ago. It has, however, 
been used for all classes of criminals, but when persons charged with 
grave crimes were confined therein, previous to conviction, the sheriff 
would set a guard to watch them. This old jail will soon be replaced by 
the new jail, of which we give the following description : 

THE NEW JAIL. 

The new jail, in its outward appearance, will be rather of a plain 
brick building. It will be constructed of St. Joseph pressed brick, with 
Rockville sandstone trimmings. It is to be eighty feet long and forty- 
two feet wide, two stories high in the front part, where the jailer's resi- 
dence is situated, and one story in the rear, or the jail proper. The 
jailer's residence contains a sitting room, a dining room, a kitchen and 
pantry. There is a good roomy front and side hall on the first floor. 

On the second floor are three large sleeping rooms and a bath room 
with suitable closets. The entrance to the jail is through a guard room 
twelve by sixteen feet. At the end of this guard room are two cells 
constructed of stone and iron, designed for the confinement of juveniles 
and females. Each cell has two bunks, and is provided with a water 
closet. The door from the guard room to the department for males is 
of iron and is double. The inner door of the jail is bow-shaped, so that 
a person standing in it can see all parts of the jail without going inside. 
The floor of the jail in the corridor outside of the cells is of stone, eight 
inches in thickness. The corridor is divided with grated partitions into 
a dining room and bath room, and an exercise corrridor for prisoners. 
The plan of the jail is a novelty, and is believed to be the most secure 
jail ever constructed. There is an outer grating extending from the 
floor to the ceiling constructed of chrome steel, which is hardened to 
such a degree as to be saw and file proof. This grating has no opening 
except the door opposite the main entrance door. Inside this grating 
are the eight cells, which are set on a revolving turn-table which is oper- 
ated from the outside entrance door. 

When a prisoner is placed in a cell, there is no possible way of get- 
ting him out but by revolving the jail until the cell door is opposite the 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 337 

jail door. And this apparatus can only be operated from the guard 
room, where the jailor can stand and bring his prisoners out one by one, 
without coming in contact with them. W. H. Brown, Esq., of Indianap- 
olis, is the patentee of this jail, which is considered the safest one ever 
devised. All the arrangements of the building for heating, lighting, 
ventilating and bathing are complete. 

In the half story over the jail there is a hospital with two cages for 
prisoners, with sleeping rooms for the guards, and closets for clothing 
and for other uses. The cost of the jail will be $19,400. The building 
will be completed during the year 1882. Messrs. Eckel & Mann, of St. 
Joseph, are the architects. When the building is completed, Nodaway 
County will have one of the safest and most substantial jails in the State. 

COUNTY POOR FARM. 

The County Court, at its February term, 1871, took the initiatory 
step towards the purchase of a poor farm by making the following 
•order : 

"Ordered that Joseph E. Alexander, Thomas L. Robinson and 
Solomon Shell, be and they are hereby appointed by this court, com- 
missioners in behalf of Nodaway County, to make a selection of a poor 
farm for the use of Nodaway County, in behalf of the dependent poor of 
said county, and that they report their proceedings, together with their 
recommendations concerning the same to the County Court, at its 
adjourned term to be held on the third Monday of March, 1871, and 
that said commissioners take under their consideration the law regulat- 
ing the County Court in such matters as laid down in Wagner's Statutes, 
page 403, chapter 40, relative to the poor, and that the clerk of this 
court notify said commissioners of their appointment." 

At the February adjourned term, March 21, 1871, the commissioners 
made their report, which is as follows : 

"To the Honorable County Court of Nodaway County: 

Your commissioners appointed at the last term of the court to 
select and report in regard to the Poor Farm, beg leave to make report 
as follows : Having examined a number of farms, we have found 
it very difficult to get a place with sufficient timber and adjoining 
the tillable land, and we have concluded to recommend the purchase 
of the southwest quarter of section sixteen, township sixty-four, range 
thirty-six, less one-half acre, that has been sold, and does not belong 
to the tract. The owner, Mr. Andrew W. Hinchman, proposes, if he 
sells, to give possession only of the dwelling house on the premises, 
he having made arrangements to raise a crop on the place and wishes 
to retain possession of same until the crop is gathered. The east half 



338 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

of the quarter is fenced with a very good worm fence, and three sides 
with a cattle fence, between the improvement and adjoining farm or» 
the east. There are about sixty acres of very good firewood timber 
on the west half with a stream of water running through it, which, we 
are informed, affords water nearly the entire year. There is a very good 
one and one-half story frame house, with a good well, and a good bear- 
ing orchard of apple and pear trees of about sixty trees. The place 
would not have to be paid for before the first day of January, 1872. The 
price is $30 per acre, amounting to $4,785. In view of the locality 
being not more than five miles due west, (and on a county road with 
good bridges and streams) from Maryville, we would recommend the 
purchase." 

In accordance with the recommendation of the commissioners, the 
county court made the purchase of the premises above described, through 
Solomon Shell, who was appointed special commissioner to make the 
necessary arrangements, the orde'r in reference thereto limiting the land 
to be purchased to 160 acres, the same to be paid for in county warrants. 

In May following, 1872, Solomon Shell filed with the county court a 
title bond for a deed for the southwest quarter of section 16, township 
64, range 36, signed by Andrew Hinchman, the consideration being for 
the sum of $5,137, payable on the 1st day of January, 1872. 

There have been three superintendents of the poor farm. George 
Basom was the first, and was succeeded by Judge S. T. Kennedy, who 
was succeeded by Henry Cady, who now has charge. William Young 
cultivated the farm the first three years, paying a rental of $300 per year 
therefor, and the county paid him a stipulated sum per week for feeding 
and taking care of the paupers. Henry Cady succeeded Young, the 
county paying him $500 annually for operating the farm and taking care 
of the paupers, the county getting the proceeds of the farm. The pau- 
pers during the first three years, averaged about five in number ; they 
now average about ten each year. The house on the farm contains some 
twelve or fourteen rooms. There is a good well on the place,, eighty -six 
feet deep — the deepest in the county. 



■***$£zM&&*+* 



•-'•; 



CHAPTER XXV. 

CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT. 

FLATTERING ACCOUNTS-NAMES OF MEN WHO WENT FROM NODAWAY COUNTY-CALI- 
FORNIA ENTERPRISE COMPANY-ADDRESS OF COLONEL BLACK-LE TIERS-CALL 
FORNIA EMIGRANT SONG-CHOLERA-NUMBER OF EMIGRANTS. 

" The plague of gold strikes far and near — 
And deep and strong it enters; 
Our thoughts grew blank, our words grow strange, 

We cheer the pale gold diggers ; 
Each soul is worth so much on change, 
And marked like sheep, with figures. 

No doubt the desire for gold has been the mainspring of all progress 
and enterprise in the county from the beginning till the present time, 
and will so continue till remote ages. Generally, however, this desire 
has been manifested in the usual avenues of thrift, industry and enter- 
prise. On one occasion it passed the bounds of reason and assumed the 
character of a mania. 

The gold mania first broke out in the fall of 1848, when stories began 
to be first spread abroad of the wonderful richness of the placer mines 
of California. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous 
reports that came from the Pacific Slope, and nothing was talked of but 
the achievements of gold diggers. The papers were replete with the 
most extravagant stories, and yet the excitement was so great that the 
gravest and most incredulous men were smitten with the contagion, and 
hurriedly left their homes and all that was dear to them on earth, to try 
the dangers, difficulties, and uncertainties of hunting gold. 

In the St. Joseph Gazette of October 27, 1848, published at that 
period, we find the following : 

"An immense bed of gold, one hundred miles in extent, has been 
discovered in California, on American Fork and Feather Rivers, tribu- 
taries of the Sacramento and Monterey. Mr. Colton, the Alcalde of 
Monterey, states that the gold is found in the sands in grains resembling 
squirrel shot flattened out. Some grains weigh one ounce each. It is 
got by washing out the sand in any vessel, from a tea saucer to a warm- 
ing-pan. A single person can gather an ounce or two a day ; some 
even a hundred dollars worth. Two thousand whites and as many 



34° HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Indians are on the grounds. All the American settlements are deserted, 
and farming nearly suspended. The women only remain in the settle- 
ments. Sailors and captains desert the ships, to go to the gold region, 
and laborers refuse ten dollars a day to work on the farms. Mr. Colton 
says: 'One man, who resides next door to me, gathered five hundred 
dollars worth in six days. He has one lump which weighs over one 
ounce. A trough, such as you feed pigs in, will bring in the gold 
region fifty dollars. Put a piece of sheet iron, punched with holes on it, 
and it will bring a hundred. My friend, J. R., paid sixteen dollars for a 
little basket, and his companion gave twenty dollars for a teapot, all to 
wash out gold in.' More than twenty-eight thousand dollars worth had 
been collected. Governor Mason and his aid had gone to the district, 
which is five days journey from Monterey. 

" The sailors had gone for gold from the ships, and the soldiers 
from their camps, for the same purpose. The last vessel that left the 
coast was obliged to ship an entire new crew, and pay each fifty dollars 
per month. No one can be hired to dig gold short of sixteen to twenty 
dollars per day. Every man prefers to work on his own hook ; he may 
make less than the wages offered, but he has a chance of making much 
more. There flour is worth thirty-two dollars per barrel ; fifteen pounds 
of Boston crackers in tin boxes, ten dollars a box ; a cotton shirt, ten 
dollars ; boards, five hundred dollars per one hundred feet. A carpenter 
can get one hundred dollars a day. Mr. L. paid for a common cradle 
trough, twelve feet by three wide, to wash gold earth in, one hundred 
and fifty dollars ; less than a day's work to make it." 

Day after day, and month after month, were the papers filled with 
just such glowing accounts of California. 

Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was 
too late to cross the plains, but thousands ot people throughout the state 
began their preparations for starting the following spring, and among 
the number were many in Nodaway County. The one great subject of 
discussion about the firesides and in the log cabins that winter, was the 
gold of California. It is said that at one time the majority of the able- 
bodied men of the county were unsettled in mind and were considering 
the project of starting to California. Even the most thoughtful and 
sober-minded found it difficult to resist the infection. 

Wonderful sights were seen when this great emigration passed 
through— sights that may never be again seen in the count)-, perhaps. 
Some of the wagons were drawn by cows ; other gold hunters went on 
foot and hauled their worldly goods in hand-carts. The gold hunters 
generally had left the moralities of life behind them, and were infested 
with a spirit of disorder and demoralization. The settlers breathed 
easier when they had passed. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



341 



Early in the spring of 1849 the rush began. It must have been a 
scene to beggar all description. There was one continuous line of 
wagons from east to west as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily 
westward, and, like a cyclone, drawing into its course on the right and 
left many of those along its pathway. The gold-hunters from Nodaway 
County crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon-trains, bidding fare- 
well to their nearest and dearest friends, and many of them never to be 
seen again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many of 
the gold-hunters left their quiet, peaceful homes, only to find in the 
"Far West" utter disappointment and death. Very, very few of them 
ever gained anything, and the great majority lost everything, including 
even their lives," their fortunes, and their sacred honor." The persons who 
really gained by the gold excitement were those who remained at home 
and sold their produce to the gold crazy emigrants. The rush continued 
until about the first of June, 1850, when the great surging tide began 
to abate, although belated gold seekers continued to pass through the 
country for some time. But the excitement began to die away, and 
those citizens who had judgment enough to resist the contagion, now 
settled down in quiet, to pursue the even tenor of their way. 

EMIGRANTS FROM NODAWAY COUNTY. 



Among the scores of men who went to California from this county 
we record the names of the following : 



Peter Love, 
Judge Charles Myers, 
Henry Swearingen, Jr., 
Thomas Boulware, 
Bolivar Byers, 
David Denning, 
Allen Groves, 
John Saunders, Jr., 
William Hanna, 
C. L. Burnes, 
Gilford Henderson, 
Hiram Davis, 
Frank Hudson, 
William Curl, 
William Jenkins, 
Thomas Ray, 
Dr. William Glaze, 
Darius Hurlburt, 



S. M. Jester, 
Henry Swearingen, Sr., 
Wright Bailey, 
Randolph Byers, 
William Blackman, 
Thomas Groves, 
James H. Saunders, 
Simeon Holland, 
Levi Martin, 
— — Payne, 
Hayden Jackson, 
James Cotrill, 
Burt. Curl, 
Joel Griffith, 
Joel Stowe, 
Jack Jenkins, 
Squire Griffith, 
James Pennington, 



E. S. Stephenson, 
Gillain Bailey, 
Nicholas Kavanaugh, 
Harvey Kincade, 
Hiram Groves, 
Benjamin Simms, 
Isaac Groves, 
Henry Miller, 
Perry Holland, 
Isaiah Hurlbut, 
Jack Henderson, 
James W. Davis, 
J, C. Blakely, 
Andrew Jenkins, 
James Ray, 
Thomas H. Brown, 
Barbour, 



342 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Thousands of these California emigrants crossed at St. Joseph, 
White Cloud, and other points on the Missouri River, some of them 
going as far up as Nebraska City. The Missouri was crossed in ferry 
boats, but, after leaving this river, these companies were compelled to 
either ford or swim all streams on their road to California. One of the 
largest companies that passed through this section of country was the 

CALIFORNIA ENTERPRISE COMPANY, 

composed of several hundred men from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Of 
course the departure of so many men, from their homes to the distant 
gold fields, was quite an event, and it often happened that the friends 
and neighbors of those who were to embark, met, en masse to express 
their regrets and good wishes in a public address. We present a por- 
tion of the speech of Colonel S. W. Black, of Pittsburg, made to the 
above named company, on the eve of their departure from that city, to 
show the friendly and pleasant custom of those days : 

" My Friends: — I have but a few words to say at parting. What I 
do say will come from the heart. I trust that whatever of good and 
truth I may deliver, may reach your hearts. Before your return you will 
have seen no little of the world ; what you see will be so much learned 
beyond what you now know. Hence, at the very out-going of your 
enterprise, you have a good object in view. Some persons complain of 
these expeditions as being sordid and unworthy; to go and dig for gold, 
they say, is not meritorious, but culpable. I, for one, do not think so. 
All the world is a gold digger — rather, indeed, a gold scratcher — and it 
often happens, that, in scratching too greedily, we bring away the skin 
of one anothers' faces — betimes the flesh of one anothers' bones. 

"The farmer in the field, the mechanic in the shop, the merchant in 
the store, and the lawyer in his pursuit, choose their daily business for 
gold. Even the preacher does not work unpaid. This is all right, and 
according to the purpose of our creation. Our Father has planted gold 
in the earth for the benefit of His children. To make it by merit is noble 
and deserving of praise. To accumulate it with proper motives is mer- 
itorious. To lose it is mean and condemned of God. * . * 
You are starting upon a long and perilous journey. Allow me, then, to 
make a few suggestions, which may not in the end be worthless. You 
leave without a flag. Make a banner for yourselves and cling to it. 
Inscribe upon its folds Fraternity and Friendship. Let the same devo- 
tion inspire you that actuates the soldier for the standard of his country. 
In all things be one. A perfect unity of interest and affection will make 
you prosperous and invincible. Organize yourselves into companies — 
elect judicious and skillful officers — men of intelligence and nerve. When 
you give them the power of direction always sustain them in its lawful 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 343 

•exercise. Discipline is essential to your safety and success. Each day 
start early on your marches ; you will then escape the injurious effect of 
■exposure to the sun, and find yourselves early in camp. It is probable 
you will encounter danger. To meet it successfully you must be accus- 
tomed to act together. Americans vanquished Mexicans and Indians 
by a union of discipline with courage. 

41 1 know that your messes have ardent spirits among their stores. 
These may be useful or pernicious in proportion to the judgment with 
which they are used. In the life in which you are acting you will find 
•occasional necessity for the use of stimulants. They are serviceable only 
when the system is prostrated by disease or exposure. 

"A kind hearted friend has just requested me to say that if there are 
any of the expedition without Bibles, he will be happy now to furnish 
them. It does not become me, perhaps, to speak of a subject so grave 
and serious, yet I can say that this, the ' Book of Books,' is the best com- 
panion you can take with you ; it is a never-failing reliance. 

" In the center of our city, or around the circle of our continent ; 
among the busy scenes of active life, or on the prairie, where the pilgrim 
sees no mark but the foot-prints of wild beast or the savage — it is a per- 
petual adaptation to every exigency of man's career. 

" To-day I saw in a paper the declaration of one of you, that ' in all 
Ihis wanderings he would carry his Bible in the bottom of his trunk.' Let 
rne suggest an improvement. Deposit it on the top, that every time the 
trunk is opened it may remind you that you have not looked into it that 
•day for wisdom and counsel. You are surrounded by a thousand anxious 
beating hearts, every one of which swell with aspiration for your success 
and safe return. The general prayer is, and will be, 'that no evil will 
befall you, nor any plague come near your dwelling.' Come back enriched, 
and make your riches a blessing to the destitute at home. The hour of 
grief hangs heavy in the hearts of many. Let them have no other cause 
•of sorrow than this separation. Your incoming will be a day of bright 
and thrilling joy. The tear that stands still in the eye, or follows its 
fellows across the feverish and scalded cheek, will be replaced with dia- 
monds. The red autumn of present sadness will pass away, and in due 
season the glorious summer will succeed, bringing its golden harvest." 

Many letters were received from these gold seekers shortly after 
their arrival in California. From some of these letters we have made 
the following extracts : 

" I have concluded to write you and let you know that all are well 
-who started in the pack-mule company, up to date. We arrived in this 
•country on the first of August ; had many upsand downs on the road, but 
lost none of©ur stock by the Indians. And now a little about California 
and the prospects for making money. Lewis, Love and myself bought a 
small gnocery in Sacramento City, for which we paid $1,800 — on a short 



344 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

credit — three week's time. We kept it a short time, made $250 each,, 
and sold it out. Brother David went to the mines, and up to this time- 
has made $1,600. I went and worked eight days. The spot of ground F 
had was about large enough to lay down on. The first day I made $200; 
the second day $220, and in eight days $900. The St. Joseph boys are 
doing well. The most of them are making from half an ounce to three 
ounces per day. David and myself will go into the cattle trade or sell 
groceries. We can buy cattle from $30 to $50 per yoke — fat cattle are 
worth from $75 to $150, and in the mines 75 cents per pound. There 
is an abundance of Spanish cattle here, but they are hard to drive in the 
mines, it requiring six or eight Spaniards to drive a small herd of twenty,, 
and that at a cost of an ounce per day. There is an abundance of pro- 
vision here. If you had the potatoes, alone, in California, which will be 
sold in a town like St. Joseph to-day, you might rest contented the bal- 
ance of your days. I have been up the Sacramento River too miles and 
up Feather River 50 miles, and I have seen but a few spots of land worth 
cultivating. I have seen a great many of our old friends from Upper 
Missouri, the most of whom are rich and doing well. I saw Charley 
Covaloe and Nigh ; they are both rich. While many men who crossed 
the plains this summer are making money, others are here who are not 
making their salt, and are very much dissatisfied and are going home 
every day. The gold here is very hard to get, and if a person makes a 
fortune by gold digging he must expect to endure a great deal of fatigue. 
Men with families are making fortunes by washing and boarding. Girls 
are in great demand here ; all they have to do, is to name their pile of 
gold-dust, and a husband is at their command immediately." 

Another extract : 

"I arrived here from the mines on Bear River about a week since. 
D. D. Williams is going into business in the dry diggings, about sixty 
miles from this place. 'Old man Williams' and myself are going 200 
miles up the Sacramento to mine. We are all partners, and carry on 
mining and merchandising or trading. We have made about $2,000, in 
cash, since we came, which we have invested, and will make thousands- 
or lose. Samuel Love, Ryan and Andrews are here and have done well. 
Any person that will work can make money. You: recollect Cornwall, 
that stayed at Dawson's. He is here, and is worth, I suppose, a quarter 
of a million. Stratton was burned on a pile or stake by the Indians, a 
short time since. William Nicholson died night before last." 

The following extract is from a letter dated, at Coloma, September 
15, 1849: 

" I have lived here about one year ; have been engaged in the mines; 
since last spring, and by being prudent and industrious, have realized 
something for my trouble. I cannot say when I will return ; perhaps in 
two or three years, perhaps never, although L will come as soon as I cart 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 345 

to see my mother, and prevent her from crossing the Rocky Mountains, 
for I think such a trip dangerous and unnecessary. I would advise my 
friends and relations to remain where they are." 

CALIFORNIA EMIGRANT SONG. 

Farewell, farewell, my native land, 

I leave thee only with a sigh, 
To wander o'er a foreign srand, 

Perchance to live — perchance to die. 
Adieu my friends whom kindred ties 

Unite, though distant we may rove, 
How ardent as time onward flies, 

Fond memory clings to those we love. 

The few admired — the one beloved, 

Among the living and the dead, 
Whose constancy we sternly proved, 

Ah ! whither are those dear ones fled ? 
Some have we left at happy homes, 

While some, alas ! exist no more, 
And o'er their graves unheeding roams 

Each breeze that sweeps Miami's shore. 

O'er the broad plains far away, 

Beyond the Rocky Mountain crest, 
Our wayward feet awhile shall stray, 

And press the gold-besprinkled west, 
But mid the gaudy scenes of strife, 

Where Gold to Pride enchantment lends, 
We'll ne'er forget that boon of life — 

Companions dear and faithful friends. 

And in the lapse of coming years 

Should fortune be not too unkind, 
We'll hope reward for parting tears, 

In smiles from those we left behind. 
We go — yet hoping to return, 

Friends of our youth, to home and you ; 
For these do cause our hearts to yearn, 

E'en when we sigh Adieu — Adieu. 

In order to give some estimate of the number of emigrants that 
passed through this western country during the California gold excite- 
ment, we will give the number that crossed the river at St. Joseph to 
June 15, 1849, two months and a half, beginning from April 1st : 

The number of wagons that had crossed at St. Joseph at that time was 
1,508, which would average about four men to the wagon, making 6,032. 
At Duncan's ferry, four miles above St. Joseph, 685 wagons had crossed, 
and at Bontown, Savannah, and the ferries as far up as the Bluffs, 2,000^ 
making the number of wagons 4, 193. 10,000 persons had crossed at Inde- 
pendence, making a total of 27,000 persons. There were about eight mules 
or oxen to each wagon, making the number 37,544 of mules and oxen. 



346 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



At the time of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, the population of 
California did not exceed thirty thousand, while at the time of which we 
are writing, (1850,) there were more than one hundred and fifty thousand 
people who had found their way thither, of which number, at least one 
hundred thousand were gold hunters from the states. The evil effects 
of this gold mania upon the moral status of the United States are still 
seen and felt, and among all classes of society. It has popularized the 
worship of Mammon to an alarming extent, and to this worship, in a 
great measure, is attributed the moral declension of to-day. 




CHAPTER XXVI. 

CHRONICLES OF THE WEST. 

The original manuscript, of which the following is a verbatim copy, 
was written in 1845, by John Mills Lamar, who died in Nodaway County 
in 1877. 

It is a brief history of a difficulty, which occurred between two 
pioneers, who came to the west in 1842, and located on the Nodaway 
River just within the state of Iowa, and before the line between the 
states of Missouri and Iowa had been definitely located. 

This ancient document entitled, "Chronicles of the West," is a 
very ingenious production, being not only fashioned after the manner 
of biblical composition, but is replete with biblical phraseology, and 
shows that its author was familiar with bible lore. 

The dramatis persona, so to speak, excepting the two chief actors, 
were residents of Nodaway County, each of whom were given fictitious 
names ; their significance, however, will be explained by notes at the 
bottom of the page. 

"CHRONICLES OF THE WEST — CHAPTER I. 

In the county of a I-o-ty, along the waters of "Nodi, there was much 
beautiful land, both timber and plains, the land being unsettled, many 
people from different countries and cities were enticed to come and make 
their farms and houses along the river Nodi, and it soon came to pass 
that one c Hanoch, a son of d Gyhor, came from a far country, and with him 
came also one e Willti, whose tribe was not known, but it was supposed 
that he was of the tribe of Ishmael, whose hand was turned against every 
man's, and every man's hand against him. Now Willti was small of stat- 
ure, but his heart was big with evil, and his tongue was an unruly member, 
full of deadly poison, and his greatest delight was in defaming the people 
and gathering that which was not his own. Now Willti had four sons ; 
these were their names : The eldest was f Dato, the second 8 Samidah, the 
third h OHtah, and the fourth j Jonidah. Now Dato had a wide mouth, which 

a — Iowa. f — David Gregg, 

b— Nodaway River. g— Samuel Gregg, 

c — Henry Martin. h — Oliver Grerg. 

d — Henry's father. i —Joseph Gregg, 
e — William Gregg 



348 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

reached from this side of his face to that side of his face, arid his tongue 
was like the tongue of a serpent, and he looked upon himself to be 
some great one, and desired the people to give him promotion, but his. 
mouth was too wide to deceive the people. Samidah was younger than 
Dato, but more fiendish than Willti, his father, for he took delight in 
slandering and abusing all that he met with, both men and women, and 
when he spoke a lie, he spoke after the manner of his father, for Willti 
took much pains to train up his sons to walk in his own steps. Olitah 
was not so full of gab and abuse as Samidah, but Willti, his father, had 
taught him to lie and to gather things that were not his own, * ,r hich 
things Olitah was very handy to use. Now Jonidah was the youngest 
of the four sons of Willti and had not learned to do much evil, but he 
was daily taught to walk in the steps of Willti, his father. 

V 

CHAPTER II. 

Now it came to pass when Hanoch and Willti came into the country 
of I-o-ty, that they were much pleased with the land, for it was very 
good, so they traveled together over much land, and behold it pleased 
them well, and when they returned to their tent at the setting of the sun, 
Willti said unto Hanoch, I will take this portion of the land, where there 
is water, and where I can make my farm on these beautiful plains. And 
Hanoch said unto him, thou shalt have thy choice, and I will take that 
portion unto the plains beyond. Then Willti said, I will come as far as 
the top of the high land between us, and that shall be the division 
between my possession and your possession. And Hanoch said unto 
him, it shall be as thou hast said. So they made their division line on a 
pinnacle of the hill, called Camp Hill, because they camped each on his 
own side of the hill. And it came to pass, when the wet season came 
on, that the plains of Willti were covered with water, and Willti walked 
out to view his plains, and behold a sea was before him, and after a few 
heavy groans, he returned to his camp with a sorrowful heart, but flattered 
himself when the flood abated, his plains would become dry and fertile. 
Then came Samidah unto him, and said, how is it my father, that thou 
has played the fool and given Hanoch the dry plains and hast chosen for 
thyself this vast pond of water? Behold, thou hast no land for raising 
corn but these rough hills, and who can plow them? Then came Dato, 
and said unto Willti, why has thou chosen thy possession in this place, 
and given the best part of the country to Hanoch, the son of Gyhor ? 
Behold, we had better return to our country, and to our tribe, for why 
should we stay here ? And it came to pass when Willti heard these 
things, his heart was ready to burst with rage. And behold he took the 
cramp, and it drew him into a kink, and he took his bed for a day and a 
night. Now when he was relieved from the cramp, so as to leave his 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 349 

bed, he gnashed with his teeth, and behold, he could be seen to gnash 
with his teeth ever after, as long as he lived. And when he recovered 
so that he could straighten himself, he called his sons before him, and 
said unto them, my sons, you know the examples and precepts which I 
have set before you all the days of your lives, and you have ever been 
dutiful sons and obeyed my commandments ; now behold, I have no rest 
because Hanoch has such a beautiful country of land, and my possessions 
are good for nothing, as you see this day, and now behold, I will remove 
my bounds on to the high lands of Hanoch, and take to myself the half 
of Hanoch's possession which lieth next to my possession, and behold, 
if Hanoch shall say ought against it, we will drive him out of the country, 
for we know that Hanoch is very infirm in health, and cannot stand up 
before us to contend for his rights, and you shall say before the people, 
that Hanoch gave so much of the country to Willti, to your father at the 
first. And the people will believe your words, and we can possess the 
land of Hanoch in quietness. Then Dato opened his mouth and said 
unto him, I am well pleased with thy plan, but let not my father be in 
haste, but let us first shield ourselves against the friends of Hanoch, and 
against the people, for thou knowest that Hanoch has walked honestly 
before the people, giving every one that which belongeth to them, and 
behold, he hath many friends, let us therefore have our names placed 
with those that belongeth to Ishmael's band, for they are all true soldiers 
of the great King Ishmael. And they are people of truth, and their 
garments are white and shining, and it is known to all men that the true 
soldiers of the great king are honest and upright in heart, and if we have 
our names with their names, we can deceive the people, and it will be a 
shield unto us. And behold, there is now one of the king's officers going 
through the country confirming the soldiers and calling for volunteers. 
And Willti was much pleased with the sayings of Dato, and said unto 
him, go and fetch him hither, that he may take our names and our scheme 
shall work well. 

CHAPTER III 

And it came to pass that Willti sent out and fetched the officer of 
the o-reat King- to his house, who took the names of Willti and all his, 
excepting Samidah, and recorded them on his roll. But Samidah said 
unto them, you may join yourselves to this band, but you know that I 
despise the name of any thing that is good, and therefore, I will not 
unite with such a band, but as I have walked in the steps of my father 
in times past, so will I for time to come. Then Willti said unto him, do 
so, my son, and thou shalt honor thy father, and now lets spread many 
evil reports through the country against Hanoch, and set the people 
against him, and so we can root him out with ease. And it came to 
pass that Willti and his sons began to tell many evil tales against Han- 



350 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

och, to make the people hate him. And Willti's wife, whose name was 
Fariska, did much with her nimble tongue to prepare the way for Willti. 
But the people of the county of I-o-ty were people of good judgment 
and honest, and they knew that a servant of the Lord had told them 
that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly 
are his delight. So Willti's labor was vain in trying to deceive the peo- 
ple, for they could see that he was possessed of an evil spirit. But 
Willti and his sons thought that they were doing Hanoch much harm. 
So when they thought they had got the minds of Hanoch's friends evilly 
disposed against him, they came together to consult the matter. So 
when Willti called his sons around him, he said unto them, My sons, 
you see that the season for planting corn is drawing near, and Hanoch 
has a large field ready for plowing. I will therefore move the land- 
marks of Hanoch, even to his highlands, and take to myself the field of 
Hanoch, and there we will raise corn for ourselves, and for our cattle 
Now the word of the Lord said unto Willti, cursed be he that remove 
his neighbor's landmark. But Willti did not regard the word of the 
Lord. And it came to pass, after Willti had received some encourag- 
ing words from Dato, Samidah, and Olitah, they all arose and traveled 
to the high lands of Hanoch and made them posts and planted them for 
landmarks. And behold, they cut off from Hanoch the greater part of 
his improvement, and continued their line towards the setting of the 
sun, even across the plains unto the River Nodi, and they returned home 
in high spirits, because they had met with no resistance from Hanoch, 
for Hanoch was too infirm to stand up for his rights. But the people 
were watching Willti, and they carried the matter before the judge of 
the country. Now the judge's name was j Strong-force, because he had 
power given him to command all the mighty men of war, to go forth and 
execute his judgments. He was made judge by the breath of a multi- 
tude, and when he spake, he spake as a multitude, and his judgments 
were always right, for he executed righteously and acted in truth and 
justice. When Strong-force, the judge, heard that Willti had removed 
the landmarks of Hanoch, he sent forth some of his men of war to 
settle the matter, but said unto them, be gentle in the matter, and if 
Willti shall withdraw himself from the possession of Hanoch, it shall 
be well, and if not, you shall fetch him before me. So when they came 
to Willti, they were very gentle with him, and talked very easy before 
him. And Willti gave them a promise that he would not intrude on 
Hanoch's possession beyond the old landmark on Camp Hill. So the 
men of war returned to their homes, supposing all was right. But after 
they had left the tent of Willti, Samidah said unto Willti, How long 
wilt thou play the fool with Hanoch ? for behold these few men are all 

j — The People. 



HISTORY OV NODAWAY COUNTY. 35 1 

the friends that Hanoch has in the whole country, and cannot we raise a 
greater force than Hanoch ? And Willti said unto him, wait awhile, my 
son, until Dato returns home again, and we will see what we can do. 
Now Dato began to think himself a man, and had left home and gone to 
a far country to get him a wife, for he had hunted the country through 
for a wife, and could get none, for one said, his ears are too close to his 
mouth ; another said that his mouth crowdeth his ears ; so he had gone 
to find him a wife in some other country. So the matter between Willti 
and Hanoch was put to rest until Dato's return. 

CHAPTER IV. 

And after Dato had traveled over many countries, he returned to 
the tent of Willti, his father, with a down cast look, for behold, he could 
find no one that would become his wife. And when he was told of the 
ill success of Willti, his father, in robbing Hanoch, the son of Gyhor, of 
his possession, he was bowed down with grief and rage, so that he could 
not hold up his head for a time. And after Dato revived a little, Willti 
said unto him: My son, I have no rest because of Hanoch, for he hath 
many friends, so that he is secure, though he lifts not his hands against 
me. And Dato said unto him : I will go through the country and see 
how many of the people are Hanoch's friends, and I will tell the people 
that we are soldiers of Immanuel, and they will look upon us to be 
upright in heart. So Dato saddled his mule and commenced his journey, 
and examined the minds of the people, as he went to see if they were 
friendly towards Hanoch. And it came to pass that the people all spoke 
well of Hanoch, so Dato passed on until he came to the land of Gothic, 
where lived a man whose name was ""Manasticat," and when Manasticat 
saw Dato he bowed to him, and Dato bowed and lapped out his tongue. 
So when they had talked together a little Manasticat said unto Dato : 
Come down, I pray thee, from thy mule, and tarry with me, for the day 
is far spent. And Dato got down from his mule, and Manasticat con- 
ducted him to his castle. And it came to pass, when Dato went into 
the castle of Manasticat, that he spied a damsel on whom he set his heart 
to have her to wife, and when he had made known unto her his desires, 
behold she was well pleased, and said unto him, I will be thy wife. 

Then Dato talked with Manasticat, a long time, and while they 
talked together, they opened their hearts to each other, and behold 
they were both alike full of evil spirits. And Dato told Manasticat 
concerning Willti, his father, and Hanoch, the son of Gyhor, and con- 
cerning their possessions. And Manasticat said unto him, I will come 
into thy country after a while, and it may be that I can help thee 
in thy purpose. So Dato being well pleased with his success, returned 

k — A fiiend of Gregg's. 



352 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

to his father's tent, to bear the glad news of his encouraging prospects. 
And behold ! Willti rejoiced in heart when he heard it. But Dato's 
mind was drawn away after the damsel, so that he could not talk with a 
man, without saying something about Salishta, for that was her name, 
and he spent the most of his time in going to the land of Gothic to see 
Salishta. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was going on his 
way to the land of Gothic, that he met two young men who were fond of 
sport, and one of them said to Dato, thou shalt not have Salishta for thy 
wife, for behold 1 I will straddle my mule and take her from thee this 
night, before thou cans't reach the castle of Manasticat. And when he 
had so said, he started as though he would go to his stable for his mule. 
Then the other young man said to Dato, now do thy best, for his mule 
will surely outgo thee. Then Dato began to beat his mule with his rod, 
and to kick him with his heels, and the mule did run with all his might, 
and Dato still kept beating him, until he came to the castle of Manasti- 
cat and he unsaddled his mule and turned him loose to feed, and went 
into the castle and put up for the night. And on the morning when he 
went out to look for his mule, behold ! the mule was dead, for he had 
made him run beyond his strength and he laid down and died. 

Now Dato was very sorry for the loss ot his mule, for he had to 
walk on foot to the land of I-o-ty, which was a long journey for 
the lad. Now, after this, Manasticat went, according to his promise, to 
the country of I-o-ty, to view the possessions of Willti and Hanoch, 
and when he came to the tent of Willti, he was made very welcome and 
soon became acquainted with the desires of Willti's heart concerning 
the possession of Hanoch. Then Manasticat said unto Willti, I would 
see the possessions of Hanoch myself. And Dato said unto him, I will 
go with thee, and show thee both the high lands and the plains of 
Hanoch. And it came to pass, that they both started and traveled first 
over the highlands of Hanoch, and then bent their course towards the 
plains, and behold ! met Hanoch returning home from the country of 
Fosteevus. And Manasticat said unto Hanoch, what is the cause of the 
shaking of thy limbs ? And Hanoch said unto him, I am sore afflicted 
with the palsy. Then said Manasticat unto him, wilt thou sell thy pos- 
session ? Then said Hanoch unto him, I will sell it to thee for two hun- 
dred and fifty shekels of silver. Then, said Manasticat, I will look at 
thy plains and return to thy tent. So Hanoch passed on and went to 
his tent. And after Manasticat and Dato had gone over the land of 
Hanoch, the}- returned to Hanoch' s tent, and Manasticat said unto Han- 
och, thy possession pleaseth me well, but I cannot give thee so much ; 
if thou will take less, I will buy of thee. Then said Hanoch unto him, 
I am very infirm and cannot do much labor, and behold I am owing much 
silver to the people who have shewed me mercy ; therefore, if thou wilt 
give me two hundred shekels of silver, so I can give even- man his due, 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 353 

thou shalt have my possession, though it be but half the worth of it. 
Then said Manasticat unto him, I cannot give so much. And Manasti- 
cat and Dato left Hanoch and returned to the tent of Willti. Then said 
Willti unto Manasticat, what of the day, my friend ? Then Manasticat 
opened his mouth and said, I am well pleased with the possession of 
Hanoch, and I talked to Hanoch as though I would buy his possession, 
and he would have two hundred shekels of silver, which is a small price, 
but we need not purchase of him, for behold he can do nothing. I will 
therefore build me a castle on the plains of Hanoch, and cut him off 
from the plains entirely, and from the river Nodi. And thou shalt move 
thy landmark to the highlands of Hanoch, and cut him off from the mid- 
day sun. And behold, Dato shall cut him off towards the rising sun 
until he shall not have room to turn himself, and it shall come to pass 
that Hanoch will leave his possessions and go to some other country ; 
and we will possess the land of Hanoch in quietness, and surely no one 
will take notice of the dead dog ; and as for Strong-force, the judge, I 
fear him not. 

So after Manasticat laid his schemes deep and wide, he returned 
home. And Dato went also to the land of Gothic, and took unto him 
Salishta to wife. And after this, Dato said unto Manasticat, I will now 
return to the country of I-o-ty, and Manasticat said unto him, I will go 
with thee. So Dato took with him Salishta, his wife, and Manasticat 
also accompanied them to the country of I-o-ty. And when they came 
to the tent of Willti, behold Willti was much rejoiced in heart, and said 
unto them, my heart rejoiceth to see you here, for now we are well able 
to possess the land of Hanoch. Then Manasticat spake unto Willti, say- 
ing : I have come for the purpose of building me a castle on the plains 
of Hanoch, and I will build it like unto my splendid castle in the land of 
Gothic, and when I have finished my castle, I will put therein all of my 
goods, and my wife and my little ones, and behold my cattle and my 
sheep shall cover the plains, and the plains shall be called the plains of 
Manasticat. And so we will put out the lamp of Hanoch at one blast, 
and he shall have no place in the country. So when Manasticat had 
uttered these sayings, they all went to work to build a house for Dato 
and Salishta to dwell in. And behold they builded the house close to 
the borders of Hanoch's high land, towards the rising of the sun, and the 
house was made very large and finished off in splendor. So after Dato's 
house was completed, Manasticat, with Willti and his sons, commenced 
the expensive work of cutting and getting out timber for the great castle 
of Manasticat, and behold they cut the timber very large, even sixteen 
feet was the length of it, and some of the timber was full ten inches in 
diameter. And Willti furnished, two yoke. of oxen for the hauling of the 
timber, and when they had continued their labor for three days and had 
got a great quantity of timber hauled on to the plains of Hanoch, it came 



354 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

to pass that Strong-force, the judge, heard thereof, and behold Strong- 
force gave orders for his men of war to come together and see what was 
going on. And many of the most mighty men of war gathered them- 
selves together, even fifty and three in number, and presented themselves 
before the judge. 

Then Strong-force, the Judge, said unto them, Behold, there is mis- 
chief going on upon the plains of Hanoch ; let us therefore repair to the 
plains of Hanoch and see what it is. And it came to pass that the 
Judge and his men of war started, some on horses and some on mules, 
and some on foot, and traveled until they came to the plains of Hanoch. 
And behold ! they saw a great quantity of timber spread about the 
plains, and they saw also many tools of cunning workers in wood lying 
round about. Then Strong-force said unto the men of war, Whose are 
these plains and what meaneth this timber ? And they answered him 
with many voices, saying : We are on the plains of Hanoch, the son of 
Gyhor, and behold ! Manasticat hath got out this enormous sight of 
timber to build him a castle and rob Hanoch of his plains. Then said 
the Judge unto them : This thing shall not be done. Ye shall make 
ashes of all this timber. And it came to pass, that the men of war all 
went to work and put the timber in a pile, and they caught one of Samp- 
son's foxes, and put him in the midst of the pile, and behold, the timber 
took fire and burned to ashes. Then Strong-force, the Judge, planted 
his post, which he called the judgment post, on which he left his writ- 
ten judgment and sentence. And he caused four of his seals to be put 
around the foot of the post, under the sentence. Now the seals were 
not like any beasts of the field, neither like the fowls of the air ; but 
they had tails like the tails of serpents, and with their tails, they had 
power to sting. Now, the sentence of the Judge was, that the man or 
men who had made the intrusion, on the possession of Hanoch, should 
leave the possession forthwith, or be made to stand at the judgment 
post in the midst of the seals, for one hour, and that whoever should 
molest Hanoch thereafter, should be punished without remedy. 

So when the judge had filled the duties of his office, he dismissed 
the men of war, and returned to his home. And it came to pass on the 
morrow that Manasticat went again to the plains of Hanoch, and behold 
his timber had gone to ashes. And when he saw what was done, he was 
very angry, and began to throw out bitter curses against Hanoch and 
the people, but when he saw the post and the writing, he said to himself, 
I will see what it is. And as he came near to the judgment post, he saw 
the seals near his feet, and behold he went backward ten paces, and fell 
to the ground. And after he recovered, so he could stand on his feet, 
he said to himself, now I know surely Strong-force has undertaken the 
cause of Hanoch, and I must see what he has left on the post. So he got 
him a stick and reached carefully over the seals and pulled the writing 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. $$$ 

to him, and as he read his sentence he turned pale, and his limbs did 
quake. And when he had finished the reading of his sentence, he said 
to himself, surely I must leave these beautiful plains to Hanoch, for these 
sting-tail serpents are horrible ; and he looked at the plains and then at 
the seals, and with a wild and frantic step, Manasticat started for the 
land of Gothic. And Willti foamed with rage, but did not dare to 
molest Hanoch any more. Now it came to pass as Manasticat fled from 
the plains of Hanoch, the son of Gyhor, great terror seized his frame 
and horror ran through his guilty soul, and as it were, darkness obscured 
his vision, and he fell upon his face upon the ground, and he began to 
pray, and he prayed after this manner : 

Our Father who art in Heaven, thou art the same, 

Permit us to call on thy holy name. 

Now, Father of mercies, be as kind unto none, 

As unto this band of Ishmael, the father and son. 

For Willti the father and Dato the son, 

If we loose them as leaders we surely are gone. 

For the Devil hath answered us, and judgment has begun, 

And I fear they will sweep us, Manasticat, Willti, the father and Dato the son 

As to the rest, but little they could do 

If justice and truth should still them pursue. 

Now, Father of mercies, I would now wish to plead, 

For my family in Gothic, and that with much speed. 

Oh ! Father protect, we are in great fright, 

And I will leave I o-ty before it is light, 

And never return while Hanoch and band, 

Possess this plain and the beautiful land. 

Now, Father, we've asked all we know how, 

Permit us to escape and we will keep our vow, 

And then we will praise Thee like men, 

For ever and ever, Amen. 

And it came to pass that Hanoch had rest round about, and Hanoch 
said, surely the Lord hath sent the judge to deliver me from all mine 
enemies. 

FORTY YEARS AGO — EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NORTHWEST MISSOURI. 

The following communication, from the pen of Wade H. Davis, 
deceased, appeared in the Democnt of January 18, 1871. We reproduce 
the article, knowing that it will be read with interest by all our readers : 

MARYVILLE, Mo., January 9, 1871. 

Editors Democrat : I left my home in Platte County, this state, in the 
fall of 1839. Platte was then quite a new settlement. I made my way 
in a northwest direction, for the purpose of hunting bees and looking at 
the country. I remember that the place now occupied by St. Joseph 



356 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

had' only a small hut, used as a trading post for Indians. We made our 
way to the house of old Mr. Bennett, of Bennett's lane notoriety. We 
here inquired "how far to the next house?" The reply was : "This is 
the last." They also informed us that there was no road north of that 
place ; that there had been one wagon passed up north, but did not know 
where it went, and did not suppose we could follow the track. 

With this information, we started for the far northern country, and 
at night found ourselves near what is now called Heflin's Grove, where 
we dispatched some of our young men to hunt a camping place. We 
soon heard one of them hallowing at the top of his voice, "Pea Vine ! 
Pea Vine!" This we at once understood, camped, unyoked our oxen 
and turned them into the pea vine, and felt that Columbus was not the 
only discoverer. 

The next day we moved to what is now called Shell's Grove, about 
seven miles west of this place. The land was not surveyed, and I laid 
claim to that entire beautiful grove, by scalping some of the bark on a 
walnut tree, and my son, Smithen H. Davis, wrote on it with a pencil : 
"This is my claim, taken by me on the 20th day of October, 1839, an< ^ 
every person is hereby notified not to jump it. — Wade H. Davis." We 
camped here, and to our astonishment, heard the sound of an ax. We 
immediately made headway for it, and found a camp of about one hun- 
dred Indians. A squaw was chopping down a bee tree. 

The next day we went to what is known as Clear Creek, and there 
we stayed three days, and succeeded in getting about one barrel of nice 
honey. We then went up to what was known as the Three Forks of the 
Nodaway River, and, as before, we had to make our own road and cros- 
sings. Just after crossing the river, I was riding on ahead of the team, 
and I found a bee-tree. We stopped and got about three buckets full of 
as fine honey as I ever saw. We got in the vicinity about one more 
barrel of honey. 

Everything was as nature had formed it — wild, indeed. We found 
any amount of bear signs. We found, where they bedded, where they 
had torn off limbs of burr oak trees, to get the acorns, and I saw one 
bear. Here we saw a great many Indians. Deer and turkeys abounded. 

" Prairie chickens by thousands fly — 
The earth covered with wild rye." 

We had about all the honey we wanted and started for home. We 
missed our way, and found ourselves at this grove. We camped in the 
timber east of where our worthy friend John Jackson now lives. Bees 
appeared to be scarce here, and we did not think the grove worth claim- 
ing, and passed it by. 

We then started to go south, and found considerable difficulty in 
keeping on the dividing ridge between the One Hundred and Two and 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 357 

White Cloud. One of my companions, Josiah Dorris, killed an otter in 
the branch about a mile south of this place. We then kept on our way 
south, to what is now the Prather estate, and there, to our astonishment 
and the unbounded joy of his wife, we found the cabin of William Bry- 
ant, the first settler in what is now Nodaway County — if, indeed, he 
could be called a settler. He had stopped, left his family and gone to get 
a barrel of whisky to trade to the Indians. I need not tell any old set- 
tler that the said Bryant had strong prejudice in favor of whisky himself. 
The poor woman, who was there with one or two small children, seemed 
overjoyed at meeting some of her own race, and would have us stay in 
her cabin, which, of course, was made of round logs, without floor, door, 
shutter or window, and had to depend on the chimney for light when the 
blanket was down over the door. This woman I afterward found to be 
a well educated lady, of a wealthy and influential family, but had erred 
somewhat in marrying. 

We then returned to our home in Platte County, and related our 
great expedition to our listening neighbors, several of whom came up 
to look at the country, and returned, reporting it to be a very fine 
country, sufficient to support about twenty families. 

In the fall of 1840, I made another trip to this region, and found 
things considerably changed. I found squatters at nearly every grove, 
and a great portion of the timber claimed. I came in company with 
Burt. Whitton and others, and, to induce Burt, to settle in this part of 
the country, I took him over to my claim, west of this place, and showed 
him my authority on the tree for claiming it, and proposed to him that 
if he would settle on it, I would give it to him. He accepted, and stayed 
several years proprietor of " Whitton's Grove." He complained of being 
lonesome, and sold out, I think, to 'Squire Griffith. 

We then came by an Indian trail to the grove just north of this 
place, and found everything alive with Indians. My sons, Hiram and 
Smithen, then laid claims in the vicinity of where John Jackson now 
lives, and built a cabin across the line dividing their claims, and made 
one cabin answer both. I afterwards bought my sons out, and bought 
out Red Whitton, who also had a claim in the grove. This gave me 
the entire grove, and I sold the whole thing to one Thomas Adams for 
$300, perfectly satisfied I had considerably the best of the trade. He 
settled and built the house where William Saunders now lives. He 
then brought the first store, excepting Bryant's, to this part of the 
country. He, too, had plenty of whisky, and here, with a merry party 
of his associates, I first met Allen Mozingo. 

I here met a party of government surveyors, who gave me glowing 
accounts of a mill seat south of this place, and directed me so that I 
found the place where Page & Wakefield's mill is situated, and here I 
filed a pre-emption. I again went home perfectly satisfied that there 



358 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

never could be any settlement in this county that could possibly amount 
to anything. 

I afterwards sold my claim in Platte and moved to the place on 
which Isaac Cox now lives, which I bought of John McLain. At this 
time (1842) our nearest mill was about five miles below Savannah, on 
the One Hnndred and Two, and to it we would go with an ox team, with 
the expectation of being gone from a week to ten days ; and when one 
returned with a load of meal — we had no flour — he was not surprised to 
find all his neighbors waiting with sacks to borrow meal, and my word 
for it, none went away disappointed. 

I was, one day in the spring of 1842, at the house of my neighbor, 
Colonel I. N. Prather, fixing some truck-wheels on a prairie plow, when 
a man, who introduced himself as William Cock, came to us, and, to my 
great joy, informed us that he was on the hunt of a mill seat — that he. 
had the money and the will to put up a mill. We lost no time in going 
to show him my claim, and I proposed to him if he would build a mill I 
would give him the seat, which he afterwards accepted and prized very 
highlv. In support of the common theory that the watercourses 
become smaller as the country grows older and is cultivated, I would 
state that Mr. Cock was some time in deciding whether to build his mill 
on the One Hundred and Two or White Cloud, thinking the former was 
probably too large a stream, but he finally decided in favor of the One 
Hundred and Two, and built the first mill in Nodaway County, which 
now belongs to Page & Wakefield, as above stated. 

For a long while after I settled on White Cloud, our nearest physi- 
cian was at Savannah. Savannah was also our nearest post office, and 
frequently our greatest trouble in mail matters was to get the twenty- 
five cents to pay the postage. The trip down cost us nothing — no one 
thought of charging for staying over night. We suffered a great many 
inconveniences,. I remember my neighbor, John B. Morgan, had a son 
drowned, and we had to send to Savannah for a coffin — not a plank 
could be had nearer. 

If a neighbor had the misfortune to get his fencing burned — which 
was frequently the case — you could see all his neighbors at his house 
next day, making rails and repairing his fence or gathering his crop. If 
one had sickness to interfere with his business, besides carefully caring 
for him, his neighbors were always on hand to do his work, without 
thought of charge. Our manners, if rude, were sincere. No one thought 
himself better than his honest neighbor. Any man's house you stopped 
at was a home. Any man's house was free to any denomination to 
preach in. We met at each other's houses and there worshipped a com- 
mon God, with less style than the present day, but I think with certainly 
as much earnestness. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



359 



Those times, though hard, have still a place in my fondest recollec- 
tions ; and though nearly all my old friends and associates have departed 
this life, still, while I live, nothing will be more pleasant to me than the 
memory of their many kindnesses. 

And now if this should serve to give the reader an idea of border 
life, it will have accomplished all that is desired by the oldest inhab- 
it ant. 




CHAPTER XXVII. 

BENCH AND BAR. 

WILLIAM B. ALMOND-JAMES M. DEWS— SAMUEL D. McENERY— HENRY L. WARREN- 
MATTHEW G. ROSEBERRY— HENRY M. VORIES-JAMES B. GARDENHIRE— WILLARD 
P. HALL— SOLOMON L. LEONARD-SILAS WOODSON— J. M. BASSETT— BENJ. F. LOAN— 
BERRYMAN K. DAVIS— JOHN EDWARDS— W. W. RAMSAY— LAFAYETTE DAWSON — 
CYRUS A. ANTHONY— JEFF. CHANDLER— HENRY S. KELLEY-I. V. McMILLAN— S. R. 
BEECH. 

We here submit a few memorials of the bench and bar of Nodaway 
County and the " Platte Purchase." Every hour diminishes our recollec- 
tions of by-gone days ; but a few glimpses remain, and a few short years 
will obliterate every view and vestige of what, in the passing pageants 
of life, has been so interesting to us all. 

To one of the oldest representative members of the legal fraternity 
are we indebted for most of the following sketches of the men who were 
the pioneer attorneys of Nodaway County and Northwest Missouri : 

WILLIAM B. ALMOND 

first settled in Platte City, and then removed to Sparta, Buchanan 
County, in 1839. Mr. Almond was a Virginian by birth, from Prince 
Edward County, and a graduate of the Hampton Sidney College. 
He and General Sterling A. Price were natives of the same county, and 
were graduated at the same institution at about the same time. He was 
educated with some care for a Presbyterian minister, but being of an 
adventurous disposition, he went with the old fur company of Smith, 
Sublett & Jackson, to their depot in the Rocky Mountains, on the head- 
waters of the Yellowstone. With the wages he received (which were 
high, as the trip was dangerous), he returned to Virginia and studied 
law. He then returned to Missouri, and as soon as the Platte country 
was annexed to the state, he settled in Platte County. He had a very 
good practice in Buchanan County for a few years, and in 1844, he 
formed a partnership with Henry M. Vories, late judge of the supreme 
court, which continued until 1849, when Almond went to California, still 
following his disposition for travel and adventure. On his arrival there, 
through the influence of Governor Burnett, of California, he was 
appointed judge. He remained in California for several years. Having 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 361 

accumulated about $20,000 while there, he returned and permanently 
located in Platte City. He was elected judge of that circuit, compris- 
ing the Platte country, in 1854. He only held the office a short time, 
resigning to return to California to attend to some pecuniary matters. 

After his second return from California he practiced law in Platte 
City and Leavenworth until his death, which I think occurred in 1861, 
he dying suddenly at the breakfast table in Leavenworth, while there 
attending court. 

Almond was a fluent speaker, without approaching or approximating 
eloquence. He was a fair lawyer, and, while not an orator, was an hon- 
orable and successful advocate. 



JAMES M. DEWS. 

The pioneer attorney of Maryville was James M. Dews, from Ken- 
tucky, who located here in 1848, at a time when there was but little 
litigation. He also taught the first school in the town in the summer of 
the same year. His office was in the old log court house, which was 
also used as a school room. He was regarded as an excellent lawyer, 
careful and painstaking, and never undertook a case without being fully 
convinced that his client was in the right. Having acquired the reputa- 
tion of being a safe counsellor, his advice was sought by litigants 
throughout the county. After remaining here five or six years, alter- 
nately teaching and practicing law, he went to Glenwood, Iowa, where 
he soon acquired a lucrative practice. He now resides in Kansas City 
at the age of about sixty-five years. 

HON. HENRY L. WARREN 

was born in Ouincy, Illinois, about the year 1830 ; attended the law 
school at Rochester, New York, and came to Maryville in 1858, and 
began the practice of law as the partner of Hon. Samuel D. McEnery. 
Like his paitner, he had had excellent social advantages in youth, and 
obtained a collegiate education. Alter remaining here for two years, he 
returned to Quincy, and afterwards became a distinguished member of 
the legal fraternity. He is now a United States district judge in one of 
the western States, which position he fills with great fitness and marked 
ability. 

The law firm of Warren & McEnery is well remembered by the older 
residents of Maryville, where they began the battle of life, and where 
\\ as witnessed the beginning of that struggle which has at length resulted 
in giving to each a national reputation. 



362 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

HON. SAMUEL I). M'ENERY 

came to Maryville in the spring of 1858, from Louisiana, where he was 
born about the year 1835. A short time before his arrival here, he was 
graduated by the law school of Rochester, New York, having previously 
thereto received an excellent education at one of the prominent literary 
institutions of the country. Mr. McEnery was a man of small stature, 
weighing not more than 120 pounds, but active and energetic. Possess- 
ing a warm heart and a genial disposition, young McEnery made many 
friends. He began the practice of law in Maryville with Henry L. War- 
ren, of Quincy, Illinois, a friend and school-mate, the partnership lasting 
until about the year i860, when he returned to his native state. 

Mr. McEnery, although he practiced here but about two years, gave 
evidences of that ability which has since distinguished him as a lawyer. 
He has filled many positions of honor and trust in Louisiana, being now 
the governor of that state. 

MATTHEW G. ROSEBERRY. 

Matthew G. Roseberry was born in Adams County, Illinois, in 1833. 
His early education was obtained in the common schools of his neigh- 
borhood. He afterward took a course in the scientific department, of 
what was then called the Illinois College, at Jacksonville. From 1854 
to 1856 he was a teacher under the school laws of Illinois. He then 
studied law with Hon. C. A. Warren, an eminent lawyer of western 
Illinois, and was admitted to the bar, after a thorough and searching 
examination by that eminent jurist, O. C. Skinner, of the Supreme 
Court of that state. In 1857, he located in Maryville, and began the 
practice of law with J. H. Richardson, now a prominent lawyer of Quincy. 
Illinois. Business being dull here he returned to Illinois and entered 
into partnership with D. C. Johnston at Rushville, in Brown County. 

In 1859, he started for Pike's Peak; went as far west as old Fort 
Kearney, and there found a beautiful and level piece of ground on 
which to turn his team, and started for the states, returning to Adams 
County, Illinois, and in November, 1859, returned to Maryville, where 
he has since resided. In June, 1858, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Phcebe E. Beal, of Maryville, who resided with his father in 
Adams County until his return from the plains, when she accompanied 
him to this place. After his return to Maryville in 1859, he engaged in 
the practice of law, and attained marked distinction in his profession. 
He and Judge Herren defended Amos Halsey for the murder of Law- 
rence, which was at that time a very noted case, Hon. Silas Woodson, 
being the circuit judge. In 1 86 1 , when the civil war broke out, Mr. 
Roseberry, though raised a Democrat, and having adhered to the doc- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 363 

trines of the party as expounded by that prince of statesmen, Stephen 
A. Douglas, espoused the cause of the Union, and in the early part of 
the year 1863 was appointed Provost Marshal for Nodaway County. In 
his official capacity he was universally kind and lenient to all who were 
under the ban of disloyalty, extending to them every privilege consist- 
ent with the faithful discharge of his duty. Shortly after the abolition of 
the office, he formed a partnership with A. P. Morehouse in the prac- 
tice of the law and real estate business. He has already been spoken of 
as an educator, and it may be added that he has been an earnest friend 
and fearless advocate of our free school system. Under the school law 
of 1864-65 a tax was voted by the citizens of Maryville for the erection 
of our public school building, and certain parties, who were not yet 
educated up to the importance of free schools, undertook by proceed- 
ings in court to enjoin the collection of the tax. 

Hon. William Herren was then circuit judge, and Vories & Vories, 
with B. K. Davis and L. H. Case, were employed by those resisting a 
collection of the tax, and Roseberry & Morehouse for the school district. 
A temporary injunction wa sissued by the county court on the prayer of 
petitioners returnable to the circuit court. To the petition of plaintiffs, 
the school district, through Roseberry & Morehouse, filed a general 
demurrer. The position of Mr. Roseberry in the argument before the 
court was, that the petition failed to show a proper case for equitable 
relief; that if the assessment was void, as alleged in the petition, it would 
not protect the officer in his levy, nor would his pretended sale divest 
plaintiffs of their property; that the wrong, if any was done, could be 
fully compensated by law. He argued that it could in no sense work 
upon plaintiffs an irreparable injury, and that there existed no reason for 
transferring the jurisdiction in such a case from law to equity. It was 
insisted on the other side that equity should interfere and prevent a sale 
of property under the circumstances. The argument of Mr. Vories, for 
the plaintiffs, was based principally on the dissenting opinion of Judge 
Scott, of the supreme court, in the case of Dean vs. Todd, 22 Mo. After 
elaborate arguments on both sides, Judge Herren decided that plaintiffs 
showed no ground for extending the strong arm of equity in their behalf, 
and sustained the demurrer. The case alluded to was at that time the 
most important that had ever come before our circuit court. It involved 
legal questions with which the people were not familiar. The friends of 
free schools were deeply interested, as they regarded the prosecution as 
a direct attack on their favorite system, while those who inherited the 
dogmas incident to slavery regarded the fostering of free schools as an 
innovation on their traditional theories. The opinion of Judge Herren, 
however, was so clear and explicit that all acquiesced — the school house 
was erected, and hundreds have received liberal educations within its 
walls. 



364 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In 1868, Mr. Rosebcrry was nominated and elected to the State 
Senate by the citizens of this (first) senatorial district. He served out 
his term with marked distinction, being the associate and compeer of 
such intellectual and distinguished giants as James S. Rollins, James H. 
Burch, Jr., Reed Brockmyer, Harbine Wells, H. Blodgett, Headly, and 
others, of equal distinction. Perhaps the State of Missouri never had 
an abler senate than that of which he was a member. Whilst there he 
served on the committee of ways and means, of criminal jurisprudence, 
and county boundaries. 

He was the author of the bill by which the swamp lands which the 
United States had ceded to Missouri, were patented to the several coun- 
ties, saving to the people thousands of dollars. Although not the author 
of, he was the champion of the railroad consolidation bill, which became 
a law in March, 1870. Prior to that time the people had experienced 
great inconvenience, and those engaged in the enterprise of building 
railroads were thwarted on every hand, because provision had not been 
made for the consolidation of extra territorial roads with the roads of 
this state. In 1869, he, in connection with others, organized the Q., M. 
& P. R. R. Company, in which he was for five years a director. 

In 1870, he founded the Maryville Republican, whose editor he was 
for two years. In politics he has acted with the Republican party since 
the war, though not extreme in his views. He united himself with the 
Christian Church in 1870, and is a firm believer in the Christian religion. 
Mr. Roseberry's mind is rather of a judicial cast. His judgment is clear. 
He deliberates before arriving at a conclusion, and seldom makes a mis- 
take. He belongs to that class of lawyers who believe that the subtle 
technicalities of the law ought to be forever buried beneath the over- 
shadowing vail of pure equity and justice. In all the walks of life he 
is exemplary. The organ of hope is largely developed in him. He 
looks forward to the ultimate happiness of all people who deserve to 
be happy. He has been the protector of youth and innocence, a liberal 
giver to those in want, a friend of education, and one who mingles 
his joy with those who have prospered by their own exertions. 

HENRY M. YOK1ES. 

Henry M. Vories was a native of Henry County, Kentucky, where 
he received a very common education in the common schools of that 
state. He emigrated to Indiana, where he led a varied life for some 
years, engaged in merchandising at a small village, combining farming 
and trading generally, and especially trading in hogs in the Cincinnati 
market, in which last business he declared to me that he broke three 
times in one week. When, growing tired of these employments, which 
were bootless and abortive, he studied law with Oliver Smith, of Indiana, 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 365 

who afterwards became a United States Senator, and commenced the 
practice of law in a circuit abounding with good lawyers. Although 
he was only able to make a living, the contact with these men made him 
a sharp, ready practitioner, and a perfect master of the science of plead- 
ing under the old Chitty practice. He emigrated to Sparta, Missouri, 
in 1843 or 44» where he commenced the practice of law, in partnership 
with William B. Almond. I practiced with him in all the courts of 
Northwestern Missouri. We were often together and often opposed to 
each other. I may safely say he was the most unhandy man as an oppo- 
nent I ever met. His early vocations in life had rendered him oerfectly 
familiar with the prejudices, the habits, and the peculiar tastes of com- 
mon people, and therefore in selecting and addressing a jury he was a 
very formidable advocate. He was quick, shrewd, always cool and self- 
reliant. When the testimony of a witness happened to be the reverse 
of what he expected, he never showed any mark or trace of his disap- 
pointment in his face or manner. He remained in St. Joseph until 1855, 
moving there, I think, in 1846. He then removed to San Jose, Cali- 
fornia. He remained in California two years, and, although he succeeded 
well in his profession, he preferred St. Joseph as a permanent home. 
After his return, he built a handsome suburban residence in St. Joseph, 
in which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1876. After a 
most successful practice in St. Joseph for some years, he was elected a 
judge of the Supreme Court of the State, which office he held until just 
before his death. Judge Vories was essentially a lawyer. He had a 
lawyer's mind. Some members of the profession are good lawyers theo- 
retically, but never successful practitioners, and others are quite superficial 
as lawyers, but by tact and energy succeed very well. The world rates 
them as good lawyers. Judge Vories was good in theory and in prac- 
tice. He was a thorough lawyer and the most formidable practitioner 
I ever met. He knew little of politics and had but little taste for gen- 
eral literature. 

His convictions, however, were always strong and fearlessly 
expressed. He was a Democrat of the old school and an unflinching 
Union man during the whole war. He lived as nearly up to the golden 
rule as any man I ever knew. 

JAMES B. GARDEN.HIRE. 

James B. Gardenhire came to Sparta, Missouri, soon after the county 
seat was located there, from Tennessee. Commenced the practice of law 
as a competitor of Almond, Vories and Hall ; was very modest and 
seemed to lack self confidence, and was of a sensitive nature. He 
impressed me as having acquired a rather superficial knowledge of the 
law hastily, but had energy and industry, which soon enabled him to 
overcome these deficiencies of his earlv education. 



366 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

I could form no estimate of his early education. He used good lan- 
guage — pure English — and seemed to have the ordinary literary acquire- 
ments of young men of that age. He was graceful in his manners and 
deportment, which evinced the fact that he had seen good society, but I 
never heard him speak of his early life, his advantages, or want of educa- 
tion. He soon became a good lawyer, and was really an orator, although 
he occasionally failed to come up to what his friends expected. I have 
heard him make as brilliant speeches as any man I have heard in the 
Platte country. Very effective in law arguments before courts, and as 
an advocate very effective before juries. He had considerable taste for 
politics and once represented Buchanan County in the legislature, and 
was once a candidate for congress. During his candidacy for congress 
I heard him make two speeches, remarkable for their brilliancy, and in 
one of these he drew a parallel between Marshal Ney and Colonel 
Benton. It was so thrillingly eloquent and pathetic that old men sobbed 
aloud. He became attorney general of the state, and finally died at 
the head of some bureau in Washington, under Mr. Lincoln's admin- 
istration. 

Owing to his delicate health, his efforts were not always equal ; 
indeed, frequently dissimilar. When his physique was all right, his 
efforts never disappointed his friends. He was as delicately constructed 
as a sensitive plant, in relation to his honor. 

WILLARD P. HALL 

was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, at Harper's Ferry, in 18 — , and 
is, therefore, sixty years of age. He was educated partly in Balti- 
more, and graduated at Yale College. His education, of course, was 
very thorough and ample, coming from such an institution. The family 
(his father having died) removed, shortly after he graduated, to Randolph 
County, Missouri. He studied law, probably with his brother, Judge 
William Hall, Judge of the Circuit Court in Missouri. He was very 
industrious and energetic, and devoted his energies, physical and men- 
tal, to his profession. I am not aware that he ever practiced law before 
he came to Sparta He was then a very ripe lawyer for his age, and one 
of the best lawyers I ever met. 

System and order and logical arrangement were natural with him. 
His eyes soon became diseased and annoyed him for some years. This, 
I always supposed, came from intense over-study, using his eyes too 
much by lamp or gas light. He succeeded at once. Plain and simple 
in his manners as a child, naturally frank and easy with everyone, he 
soon became a favorite, and from his youthful appearance, even a pet 
with his older friends. He succeeded, I think, Governor Burnett, as 
prosecuting attorney, and was a very efficient officer. He prevented 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 367 

grand juries from presenting anything that could not be sustained and 
prosecuted with great energy those he believed to be guilty. He was 
as an officer very conscientious. In 1844, he was selected by the State 
Democratic Convention as one of the electors, and I was a candidate for 
elector on the Whig side. I met him often. He conducted the canvass 
with marked ability for one so young. 

He had the criminal law, and especially the statutes of the state, at 
his fingers' ends, and could readily refer to them in a moment's time. 
During this canvass Governor Hall's speeches would greatly astonish 
those who have only known him in the past twenty years. He then, not 
without success, essayed the higher realms of oratory ; and, although he 
occasionally let the eagle loose, he was clear, bright, logical and concise. 
For the last twenty years his style has been but little more than conver- 
sational, still marked with even more of its original terseness, vigor and 
logical conciseness. He never thinks of indulging in pathos, or poetry 
or mere decoration. He gained a very high rank during the canvass, of 
which I have spoken, as a public speaker and as a well informed politician. 
To this, added to his high reputation as a lawyer, he was indebted for his 
first nomination for Congress, over many older and able politicians of his 
party. This was in the spring of 1846, and during the canvas Col. Jas. 
H. Burch (late Judge Burch,) was his opponent as an Independent Dem- 
ocrat. Governor Hall volunteered as a private in the First Regiment of 
Missouri Cavalry. This he was induced to do, because he had been a 
strong advocate of the annexation of Texas, and the Mexican war hav- 
ing grown out of that annexation, he was taunted as not being willing to 
incur the consequences which his course and that of his friends had 
brought on the country. 

He went with us as far as Santa Fe, New Mexico, doing duty as a 
private faithfully. Soon after we arrived in Santa Fe, I received a letter 
from my father-in-law, Colonel Thornton, giving a sufficient number of 
the returns to ensure the election of Mr. Hall by a very large majority. 
I showed that letter to Mr. Hall and to General Harney, and General 
Harney at once, as a matter of courtesy, and as he should have done, 
released Governor Hall from all involuntary duty. General Harney, 
having orders to go to New Mexico with a part of the troops, in the dis- 
charge of an order he received from Washington, to devise temporary 
laws for the people of that territory, requested Governor Hall and myself 
to prepare laws for that territory to conform to the conditions of the 
territory, and to be in conformity with the civil institutions of our own 
country. We organized a legislature consisting of Governor Hall and 
myself, and about six clerks, and the work of legislation was never more 
rapidly performed, each of us frequently dictating to two or three clerks 
at a time. In a few days we were able to present to General Harney a 
code of laws, which he was kind enough to approve, sign, as military 



368 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Governor, and promulgate for the government of the people. It is aston- 
ishing, considering the short time we had been there and our limited 
means of information, that we should have written a code that Congress, 
after the annexation of the territory, re-enacted, and which after thirty- 
five years I found still in vogue in 1881. Governor Hall determined not 
to return to the states until after he had seen more of the west, so that 
he might be more capable to legislate for its wants. 

Colonel Philip St. George Cook, having been left by General Kear- 
ney, when he started to California, to take command of a battalion of 
500 Mormon soldiers and conduct them to California as soon as they 
arrived and were outfitted, now took up the line of march and Hall 
accompanied Colonel Cook to the Pacific Ocean, going by the route of 
the Heyla River. He came back with Kearney the next spring to the 
states. It is a fact not generally known that the first gold discovered in 
California was discovered by two of the soldiers under Cook's command 
at Sutter's Mills. Hall returned and took his seat in Congress in the 
winter of 1847, and remained there till March, 1853, having been elected 
three times. 

He made a very industrious, efficient and popular representative of 
his district, and at the end of his third term declined to become a can- 
didate for re-election. He remained in private life, devoting himself 
assiduously to the study and practice of his profession, and attained 
as high a reputation as a lawyer as any man in the state. 

In February, 1 86 1, he was elected to the state convention, which 
convention was called by an act of the general assembly for the pur- 
pose of ascertaining the position the state should take in reference to 
the secession of the cotton states. He was elected and took his seat as 
an avowed Union man, and after Governor Jackson had abandoned the 
state, that convention proceeded to form a provisional government, and 
proceeded to elect state officers. Hamilton R. Gamble, of St. Louis, 
was elected Governor, and Willard P. Hall, Lieutenant Governor. Gov- 
ernor Gamble died during his term and the office of Governor was filled 
by Mr. Hall. Times were exceedingly exciting, as the war was still 
raging in Missouri, as well as elsewhere, and much trouble and anxiety 
necessarily devolved upon the Governor. It is impossible to give any 
detail of his acts while Governor, as any one month of which would 
more than fill this sketch. 

His administration was as satisfactory as it could have been to all 
conservative men. At the expiration of his term of office, he resumed 
the practice of law in St. Joseph, which he has followed ever since. He 
has been employed in all the important cases since his return to the 
practice, and has added greatly to his well earned reputation as a lawyer 
before the war. He has sought no office or position since. On the con- 
trary, Governor Hardin told me that he had twice offered him the posi- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 369 

tion of Supreme Judge since the death of Judge Vories, but that Mr. Hall 
had declined both times. 

SOLOMON L. LEONARD 

was one of the early immigrants to the Platte country. He had been 
engaged in teaching school at the time of his coming. He was in mod- 
erate circumstances, indeed might be termed poor, but he had pluck and 
perseverance enough for two men, but succeeded rather slowly at the 
practice of law. He lived on a small farm two miles from Platte City, 
about twenty acres of which he cleared and cultivated. From these two 
sources he made barely a comfortable subsistence. In 1843, I think, the 
state was entitled to 500,000 acres of public land, and Solomon L. Leon- 
ard was appointed a commissioner to select land for the state. The 
compensation he received for the same enabled him to purchase the land 
on which he resided and on which his wife now resides, east of St. Joseph. 

In 1844 or 1845, he was appointed judge of that circuit to fill a vacancy 
occasioned by the resignation of Henderson Young, who had been judge 
for about one year after General Atchison's resignation. He continued 
in office until 1852, when he declined being a candidate for re-election. 
In most respects he was a model judge ; commencing court every morn- 
ing early, at the very moment to which it was adjourned. Every day he 
got through the docket of that day, if it could be done by dark. 

Lawyers had to work hard, and those who were not fond of hard 
work found fault. I always found him courteous and respectful to all 
members of the bar. The hard work imposed on the bar was not the 
result of any arbitrary feeling on his part, but a determination and an 
honest purpose to subserve the interest of the public properly. It would 
be better for the bar and public if more judges would follow the same 
course. 

After he retired from the bench he formed a partnership in the prac- 
tice of law with General Bela M. Hughes. It was a very able firm, and 
while it continued it had as much practice as it could attend to. Judge 
Leonard's wealth gradually increased, and the property he left made all 
of his family rich. The increase of his property, and the business conse- 
quent upon it, induced him to abandon the practice almost entirely. 

During the first year of the war, in 1861, he went south, whether to 
carry his negroes south or to engage in the Southern cause, I do not 
know. He was drowned at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, in Grand River, 
in that year. 

Judge Leonard had as much will-power as any man I ever knew, and 

a large volume of brain power. He was a man of strong prejudices — his 

enemies could hardly do right, and his friends could scarcely do wrong. 

He was aware of these prejudices, and brought his strong will-power to 

■a 



370 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

control them on the bench, which he did successfully. He was devoted 
to his family, and educated his daughters with a great deal of care, 
regardless of expense. Rather impatient by nature, yet he was fond of 
legal and logical discussion, and listened with patience to lawyers of any 
ability. We were warm personal friends, and I deemed him a just and 
able judge. 

SILAS WOODSON. 



My first acquaintance with Silas Woodson was at Plattsburg, in the 
fall of 1854. I was then attending court, and was employed to assist 
Hughes and Leonard and General Loan in the defense of William Langs- 
ton, charged with murder. The case had been pending some time in 
Buchanan County, and finally had been taken to Clinton County ; but i 
was only employed in the case at the time at which it was tried. Gov- 
ernor Woodson had recently emigrated from Knox County, Kentucky, 
to Sc. Joseph, and some of the citizens of St. Joseph had employed him 
to assist in the prosecution of Langston. We had been several days 
engaged in examining the testimony and had closed on both sides. 
While I was writing some instructions in my room, General Loan and 
Judge Leonard came in and told me Mr. Woodson complained of being 
sick, and desired to make the closing argument in the case instead of 
the opening. I told them that I had an invariable rule that I would not 
depart from, that the circuit attorney must make the closing argument 
in every criminal case in which I was engaged. In a few minutes after 
they left Mr. Woodson came in, and told me he was not well, and being 
a stranger did not like to address a jury under disadvantageous circum- 
stances. It was a strong appeal to my courtesy, and I felt somewhat 
inclined to accede to his request, but I had read the trial of Dr. Baker, 
who was tried and convicted tor murder in Kentucky, and a Mr. Wood- 
son had been the prosecuting attorney. It occurred to me that he 
might possibly be the man. I asked him if he had been prosecuting 
attorney when Dr. Baker was tried. He said he had. I said, " Mr. 
Woodson, a prosecutor who was able to meet and gain a victory over 
the most eminent attorneys and advocates in the Union, is able to pros- 
ecute against such lawyers as Langston has, even though he is sick. I 
regret that my duty to my client compels me to be apparently discour- 
teous. You cannot make the closing argument in this case." An hour 
afterward, the instructions had been given by the court, and Mr. Wood- 
son commenced his address, which for ability, brilliancy and pathos I 
have never heard equalled. I regret that I have not language that will 
convey even the faintest idea of this torrent of eloquent invective. 

In i860, he was elected judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, in 
which position he gave universal satisfaction, and at the expiration of 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 37 1 

his term, with a most enviable reputation, again resumed the practice 
of law. 

As a practitioner, he takes rank among the leading lawyers of the 
state, and his professional associates cheerfully concede his eminent 
ability in criminal cases. The vital interests of the largest corporations, 
the equally important rights of the humblest citizen, alike command his 
services, and whether the fee is a fortune or a farthing, he devotes his 
best abilities and his constant attention to the success of his client. 

In August 1872, quite unexpectedly to himself, he was nominated 
by the State Democratic Convention as candidate for Governor of Mis- 
souri, and was elected to that office by a large majority, and served for 
two years with distinguished ability. 

No blemish mars the purity of his private life. He is one of the few 
men, who, through a leng public career, has never once neglected o r 
betrayed any trust reposed in him. His motto is, and his action has 
always been, to do what right and justice demand, leaving consequences 
to take care of themselves. 

He possesses an earnest nature, great energy and firmness, a clear 
judgment, with comprehensive and analytical mind, and a heart lull of 
true charity and noble impulses. 

GENERAL J. M. BASSETT. 

J. M. Bassett was born in New Haven, Connecticut, February 7, 1817. 
He came with his father, when a small boy, to Ohio, and at the age of 
ten years, removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he completed his edu- 
cation. He read law with Governor Cailin, and was admitted to the bar 
by Judge Stephen A. Douglas. Afterward he opened an office in Quincy, 
Illinois, and, after several years of successful practice, came to Platts- 
burg, Clinton County, Missouri, in 1844, where he remained two years. 
While here he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 
and came to St. Joseph shortly after the labors of that convention were 
closed. 

He soon became one of the leading lawyers of the country. He 
served four years as prosecuting attorney of this judicial district, and was 
elected mayor of St. Joseph in 1855. At the breaking out of the war he 
espoused the cause of the Union, and did much to rally the loyal senti- 
ment of Northwest Missouri. He was captain of a company of militia, 
and was for two years provost marshal of this district. 

General Bassett was a ready and powerful writer ; generous, pleas- 
ant, social and charitable. He was a fluent speaker and strong in argu- 
ment, and his success before juries and judges was proverbial. 

Keen, cool, shrewd and cautious, his speeches in court often veined 
with glowing sarcasm, were not only models of terseness and force, but 



J72 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

revealed a back-ground of study, reflection and special preparation, 
which stamped him as one of the foremost lawyers of Northwest Mis- 
souri. He seemed to rise with the occasion when the subject in hand 
demanded intellect and power. Then it was he would pour forth argu- 
ment and hurl invective and eloquent appeals to the jury, sweeping every- 
thing before him. 

Whenever he devoted his full powers to a case, no client in the West 
had a more safe, competent and successful advocate. General Bassett 
died in 1871. 

Among those who attended the first courts in this judicial district 
at Old Sparta and St. Joseph, was 

BENJAMIN F. LOAN. 

I first knew the late General Loan in Platte County. He was born 
in Hardensburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky, in 1819. He remained 
in the old home in Kentucky until 1838, when he came to Missouri and 
settled in Platte County. He commenced reading law in Platte City 
with Isaac N. Jones, in 1842. After two years spent in close study, he 
obtained a license and located in Buchanan County. He was an active, 
industrious, painstaking and conscientious attorney. He was a deep 
thinker and a ripe scholar in legal and political lore, and possessed 
great personal honor and integrity, and was admired by not only his 
brother attorneys, but no one spoke of him but to praise. 

When the late civil war broke out he took an active part in military 
affairs, and was appointed brigadier general. In 1862, he was elected to 
a seat in the Thirty-eighth Congress, and served as a member of the 
Committees on Pacific Railroads, and Freedmen, and Debts of Loyal 
States, and other committees. During the Fortieth Congress he was 
chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, and on that of 
Freedmen's affairs. In 1869, he was appointed visitor to West Point. 
He was the Republican candidate for congress in 1876, and was defeated 
by Hon. David Rea. These in brief are the salient points of one of the 
most popular and one of the ablest and best known lawyers in the 
" Platte Purchase." 

General Loan died at his home in St. Joseph on the 30th day of 
March, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years. The St. Joseph bar held a 
meeting on the occasion of his death, the proceedings of which we here 
give : 

" The adjourned meeting of the Bar Association of St. Joseph was 
held in in the circuit court room yesterday afternoon at half-past four. 
General Craig, as chairman, called the meeting to order, and requested 
the chairman of the committee appointed to wait upon the family o' 
General Loan to ascertain their desire as to the funeral arrangements, to 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 373 

report. Mr. Allen H. Vories then informed the meeting that General 
Loan's family had expressed their wish that the bar should take charge 
of the funeral, which was to take place at two o'clock this afternoon. Mr. 
Vories suggested that the bar should not monopolize the funeral arrange- 
ments, but should invite a number of citizens to assist in the obsequies. 
It was moved and seconded that six members of the bar be appointed 
pall bearers, with authority to select four citizens to act with them in the 
same capacity. 

Messrs. Vories and Vineyard were appointed by the chair to select 
the legal pall bearers, and male choice of the following gentlemen: 
Governor Woodson, General Craig, Judge Tutt, Governor Hall, John D. 
Strong, and A. H. Vories. 

The committee on resolutions was then called upon to report, and 
did so through Mr. Benj. R. Vineyard, as follows : 

WHEREAS, We have learned with profound sorrow of the death of 
our friend and professional brother, Hon. B. F. Loan ; and 

Whereas, We deem it fitting that the living should suitably com- 
memorate the virtues of the dead, therefore 

Resolved, That we, the members of the bar of St. Joseph, bear wit- 
ness that through the crucial test of a long and active practice in a pro- 
fession, which more than any other, tries and makes known to his fellows 
the real character of a man, Benjamin F. Loan has passed, without an 
imputation of the slightest neglect of a client's interest or of the courtesies 
and fair dealings due an opponent ; that his life is a noble illustration 
of the truth that untiring industry and unswerving honesty are the 
essential elements of real success in our own no less than in the other 
vocations of life ; and we direct the attention of every young man who 
would gain an enviable distinction in the legal profession to the course 
and career of the deceased as worthy of the highest emulation. 

Resolved, That our departed brother was true to the interests com- 
mitted to him in all the relations of life ; that he was a faithful public 
servant, a steadfast friend, a devoted husband, an estimable citizen and 
an honest man. 

Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, 
we request the judge to adjourn the circuit court of this county, now in 
session, during the day of the funeral, and that the members of this bar 
attend the funeral in a body. 

Resolved, That the secretary of this meeting furnish a copy of these 
resolutions to the press of the city for publication ; also a copy thereof 
to the family of the deceased, and also a copy thereof to Alex. D. Vories, 
by him to be presented to the judge of the Buchanan Circuit Court, 
with a request that they may, with other proceedings of this meeting, 
be spread in full upon the records of said court. 

B. R. VINEYARD, 

JOHN S. CROSBY, 

W. H. SHERMAN, 

H. M. RAMEY, \ Com. 

JAMES CRAIG, 

M. R. SINGLETON, 

W. P. HALL, Jr., 



3/4 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

RESOLUTIONS OF THE MERCHANTS' HANK DIRECTORS. 

At a meeting of the directors of the Merchants' Bank, with which 
General Loan had long been identified, held yesterday, the following 
resolutions were adopted : 

WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God, in His divine providence, 
to remove from our midst our valued friend and associate, the Hon. Ben- 
jamin F. Loan, therefore be it 

Resolved, By the Board of Directors of the Merchants' Bank, that 
in the death of the Hon. Benjamin F. Loan, this board has lost a mem- 
ber whose counsels were of the utmost value to the interests of the 
institution, and that we, individually, have lost a friend and associate 
whose death is deeply and sincerely deplored ; and be it further 

Resolved, That we sympathize most sincerely with the family and 
relatives of our deceased friend in this hour of their sad bereavement ; 
and be it further 

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread at length upon the 
minutes of the board, and that a copy, signed by the president, be sent 
to the family of our deceased friend. 

St. Joseph, Mo., March 31, 188 1. 

After reading the resolution, Mr. Vineyard said that it seemed 
strange to him to stand among his professional brethren and miss the 
form of General Loan. Only two days ago he was engaged in the active 
duties of his profession, and now he was no longer among us. Not very 
long ago General Loan had said to him that he would go soon, and 
go suddenly, and his foreboding had proved true. He had known the 
deceased since 1866, and had enjoyed his disinterested friendship. Of 
his military and congressional record he would let others speak, but as 
a lawyer he had found him frank, upright, and sincere. General Loan 
never made a promise to a brother lawyer that he did not faithfully keep. 
His zeal for his clients was unbounded, while he was ever an indefati- 
gable worker. To pronounce this eulogy was a sad task, not because 
the subject did not deserve it, but because he was no more. 

The chairman here suggested that the youngest member of the bar 
be selected to present the resolutions to the circuit court. The sugges- 
tion was adopted. 

Mr. R. T. Davis then addressed the meeting and recalled his last 
conversation with General Loan. It was the opinion of the deceased 
that young lawyers should stick to their practice and avoid politics. He 
had such a high appreciation of the bar of St. Joseph that he told the 
speaker that nothing could induce him to reside away from this city. 
Free passes to Chicago and New York, a large income and nothing to 
do, would have no temptation to him, compared with the society of his 
friends, if he had to give up the latter to enjoy the former. 

Mr. Allen Vories next addressed the meeting : General Loan's 
death had not been altogether unexpected by him, but by that death he 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 375 

had lost his most confidential friend, and he could not reconcile himself 
to his loss. For thirty years a close friendship had existed between him- 
self and the deceased. If ever there was an honest man General Loan 
was that mm. Ever faithful to his clients, he was the soul of honor in 
his dealings with all men. Among- the members of this bar he had not 
one enemy. Outside of his professional career he had no enjoyments, 
and was so attached to the members of the St. Joseph bar that he had 
determined to spend all his days among them. Of his proficiency as a 
lawyer it was not necessary to speak. The harder the case the better 
lawyer General Loan proved himself to be. His courtesy to other attor- 
neys was remarkable. "By his death," concluded Mr. Vories, "I have 
lost my best friend. 

Mr. Thomas had known General Loan for eleven years, and had fre- 
quently, as a young man, applied to him for advice, and had always found 
him gracious and courteous. Whether opposed to him or associated 
with him, he always exhibited a courtesy which was extended to all the 
attorneys with whom he came in contact. His loss will be greatly felt. 
Mr. Thomas endorsed the sentiments of the resolutions. 

Mr. H. K. White said that General Loan had attained the high degree 
of philosophy which enabled him to endure differences of opinion with- 
out giving up personal regard. In his adherence to the ideas of the past 
upon legal matters, General Loan had many sharp conflicts with the 
rising generation, but from these antagonisms an unkind personal feeling 
had never once been developed. 

Mr. John S. Crosby, as a younger member of the bar, paid an earnest 
tribute to the friendliness toward young members of his profession, which 
characterized General Loan. He also referred to. the strong domestic 
affections of the deceased, which he had had occasion to witness. Carry- 
ing with him a heavy and constant burden of disease and suffering which 
would have made most men morose, he was always cheerful and good 
natured. 

Mr. P. V. Wise said that he had so long associated with General 
Loan that he did not consider it inappropriate on his part to make a few 
remarks. The deceased was a man who took lor his motto " deeds not 
words." He acted justly from a principle of right and not from the hope 
of future reward. He was satisfied to practice the golden rule. Not- 
withstanding the industrious habits of the deceased he enjoyed philo- 
sophical contemplation, and believed that the best of all lives was to so 
live here that when the great change came there would be nothing to 
repent of. He fulfilled William Cullen Bryant's noble lines : 



376 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

" So live that when thy summons come to join 
The innumerable caravan which moves 
To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
His chimber in the silent halls of death, 
Thou go not, like the quarry slave at night. 
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, 
l-ike one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams " 

The chairman then said that he first knew General Loan thirty-five 
years ago, when he was struggling to earn his first town lot. In those 
days he had traveled the circuit with him ; had observed his course 
during the war, and known him intimately as a Congressman, and he had 
always found him honest. During the days of political corruption that 
followed the war, no man had ever dared to say that General Loan had 
taken a dollar that was not his own. His home life was full of tender 
affection, one long honeymoon. It has been said that he was not with- 
out a presentiment of his approaching end, and on Tuesday called at the 
bank, and transferred some bonds from his own name to that of his wife. 
In all the relations of life he (General Craig) had never known a better 
man than Benjamin F. Loan. 

Mr. J. F. Pitt said he was with the deceased in his last labors, and 
gave some details of his sudden illness. 

Mr. Mossman paid a brief tribute to the worth of General Loan, and 
the meeting adjourned. 

HON. BERRYMAN K. DAVIS. 

Berryman K. Davis was born in Pettis County, Missouri, in April, 
1839. His father removed to this county in Ig42, and settled on the 
White Cloud, near the farm now owned by Isaac Cox. Here Berryman 
grew to boyhood. The family moved to Nebraska sometime about the 
year 1852. Young Berryman acquired a good common school educa- 
tion. During the Pike's Peak gold fever he took a trip to the mountains 
and mined one summer. He always had a great longing for a collegiate 
education, and the height of his ambition was to go to college. But cir- 
cumstances were against him, and his desires were never realized. In 
i860, we find him in Maryville attending school. He entered the law 
office of M. G. Roseberry in 1862, and commenced the study of law. But 
the country was torn and distracted by civil war, and we imagine it was 
hard work to study amid the excitement of those times. We think the 
young student found it so, for we find that in the spring of 1864, he threw 
down Kent and Blackstone and took up the sword. He was elected 
Major of the Forty-third Missouri Infantry. His career as a soldier was 
short, as his regiment was captured by General Price in the summer of 
1864, and he was not exchanged in time to again enter into active service. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 377 

He again took up the study of law and commenced to practice his 
profession in 1866. He immediately took high rank as a lawyer. In 
1868, he was elected to the responsible position of prosecuting attorney 
for the Twelfth Judicial District. This position he held almost four 
years, and filled it with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the 
public. 

Major Davis was married to Miss Sarah Broyles, February 16, 1868. 
His marriage was a fortunate one, and his domestic relations have been 
of the most happy character. The fruits of this union have been four 
children, two of whom are dead. 

In 1872, Mr. Davis was a presidential elector on the Republican 
ticket. His name was prominently mentioned in 1876 as a candidate for 
congress, and it was only withdrawn at his own request. He was then 
tendered the nomination of state senator from this district, which he 
accepted. But the accident which proved fatal prevented him from 
taking any part in the canvass. He died in November, 1876. Had Major 
Davis lived, there is no doubt but that a most brilliant career was before 
him. He was a man of fine talents and of strict integrity. His morals 
were of the purest character, and he delighted in the enjoyments of the 
home circle. He was a model husband and father. Since the death of 
his father, in 1875, the family looked to Berryman for guidance. Said 
one of his weeping sisters : "Berryman never spoke a cross word to one 
of us." He left one brother and four sisters to mourn his loss. They 
are : Mr. George Davis, Mrs. H. H. Geiger, Miss Lucinda Davis, of Mary- 
ville, and Mrs. J. C. Wiswell and Mrs. Burwell Spurlock, of Nebraska. 
Mrs. Davis is a sister of the wife of Joseph Jackson. 

The bar of Nodaway County met at the court house in Maryville, 
Monday evening, November 20, 1876, to take appropriate action on the 
death of Major B. K. Davis, one of its most honored members. Hon. 
M. G. Roseberry was called to the chair. A committee was appointed 
to draft appropriate resolutions. Hon. Lafe Dawson then pronounced a 
most touching and beautiful eulogy on the deceased. It will be found 
below. 

The committee on resolutions then reported, and one after another 
of his brothers at the bar arose and said a few words in commendation 
of him who had gone. It was a touching and beautiful scene. The 
feelings of some of the gentlemen who spoke entirely overcame them, 
and manly tears coursed down their cheeks. Such scenes give one a 
better idea of human nature, and shows that the world is not as cold and 
heartless as many would have us believe. Judge Kelley was present and 
added his testimony to the worth of the departed. The resolutions 
were then passed and the meeting adjourned. 



378 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

MR. DAWSON'S REMARKS. 

M>\ President and Members of the Bar: The occasion of our meet- 
ing this evening is one of peculiar sadness. At the last term of this 
court a voice was heard in this room, which is now hushed in death. We 
see before us an empty chair, in our midst a vacuum. For ten years and 
more I have met the deceased at this bar. At each recurring term of 
this court his stately form has moved among us, and his stentorian voice 
has been heard within these walls. But, alas, when least expected, 
when in the prime of his manhood, when his intellectual powers were 
just maturing, he was overtaken by an accident which has terminated 
his earthly existence. Having known him so long, so intimately, and 
so favorably, I cannot, in justice to his memory let this occasion pass 
without adding my feeble testimonial to his moral worth. 

* - ;; - "- When it became apparent to him in the prosecution of a 
case that the evidence did not warrant a conviction, he would invariably 
shrink from the task of urging it. I have often heard him remark that 
he wanted the loss of no man's liberty or good name chargeable to him. 
On the other hand, if the evidence showed a case of guilt, that individ- 
ual right had been ruthlessly violated, that society had been outraged 
and the laws set at defiance, no one was more energetic in prosecuting 
the moral and legal delinquent than he. But even then his duties were 
performed with such a degree of fairness as to command the respect and 
admiration of his adversaries. After having faithfully performed the 
duties of his office for nearly four years, he retired to the civil practice 
in this place, and every member of our bar will bear me witness that 
in this branch of his profession his conduct has ever been charac- 
terized by that fairness and candor which entitled him to our lasting 
respect. It has been said that he was ambitious, but his ambition was 
always subordinate to those great fundamental maxims of equity wliich 
he learned in his first lessons of the law to which he was such an earnest 
devotee. Who does not admire such ambition ? 

Not a great scholar, still he was a man of fair education, a close stu- 
dent and a most diligent searcher for the right. He was a man of great 
common sense, possessed of an analytical mind, and anxious always after 
reading a principle to ponder and philosophize over it, and by bringing 
his great reasoning powers into requisition, satisfy himself why it should 
be so. In his intercourse with his fellows he was urbane, courteous and 
affable, having a kind word for all. In his intercourse with his brothers 
at the bar and with our courts, he was dignified and candid, but always 
most pleasant, and would treat the most calamitous defeat in a philo- 
sophic manner, and take the blame, if blame there was, upon himself, 
rather than attribute it to others. In his investigation of cases he inva- 
riably sought for the truth and possessed the moral courage to inform his 
client of the result of that investigation even though it blasted the hopes 
of his client. He was an earnest seeker for the truth, and was always anx- 
ious to know the motives which prompted men to litigation. He practiced 
law upon the great principle that while lawyers depend in the main 
upon th<- contentions and woes of others, still they must maintain their 
own integrity. And when our deceased brother was overtaken by that 
terrible accident which resulted in his death, he exhibited the calm, 
deliberate judgment which characterized his professional career. He cal- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 379 

culated the chances against him, and convinced in his own mind that his 
end was near, he uttered not a word of complaint. Although his suffer- 
ing had been intense, his bodily pains of the most excruciating character, 
still he bore all with a fortitude and heroism which commanded the 
admiration and enlisted the sympathies of all. When informed of the 
probable result of the surgical operation, to which he submitted, he 
resigned all to that Omniscient Being whose power he believed was suffi- 
cient to save. What an example ! A man who for years had been engaged 
in the busy strifes incident to his profession, with a bright future before 
him, surrounded by family and friends, yet when the summons came he 
yielded without a murmur. Napoleon Bonaparte, when overtaken by the 
delirium of death on the Isle of St. Helena, was heard to mutter discon- 
nected words of command and battle which showed that his turbulent 
spirit was still struggling in imaginary conflicts. But milder spirits 
gathered around the death -bed of our departed brother. While no 
doubt his contests at the forum and the victories of his youth crowded 
upon the mind of their dying votary, still that equilibrium so character- 
istic of the deceased was undisturbed even in death. 

Although Berryman Davis is dead, he still lives ; lives by his exam- 
ple ; lives in the hearts and affections of those who knew him best ; and 
our bereavement is only intensified because he was cut down in the vigor 
of manhood, in the meridian of life, when his mind was undimmed, his 
intellect unclouded, and his usefulness unimpaired. 

JOHN EDWARDS, ESQ. 

The subject of this sketch traces his ancestry, on his mother's side, 
as far back as 1682, at which date one Dennis Kunder arrived from Ger- 
many with the first company of religious settlers who fixed their residence 
at Germantown, now the city of Philadelphia. At his stone mansion in 
Germantown, being probably the largest at the time, the Society of 
Friends, of which, however, he was not a member, held their first meet- 
ing during the year of his arrival. His friendly disposition toward the 
Quakers, or Friends, is mentioned in Ploud's History of Pennsylvania. 
He was a large contributor to the fund for the erection of the first 
Friends' meeting house erected in Germantown. The lot upon which 
stood his stone house is now the property of Jacob Burns. Part of the 
walls of the large, fine two-story house now on the premises, was the 
original exterior wall of the stone house of Dennis Kunder. The name 
Kunder was anglicized to Cunrad, then to Conrad, and lastly to Conard. 
Mr. Edwards' great great grandfather on the maternal side, was named 
Cornelius Conard. He was a direct descendant of Dennis Kunder. His 
son, Everard Conard, settled near Doylestown, in Berks County, Penn- 
sylvania. Cornelius Conard, a son of Everard Conard, married Susanna 
Chalfont, in the year 1790. They lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania. 
Their daughter, Elizabeth Conard, the mother of Mr. Edwards, was born 
in the year 1802, and is still living. She was married to Robert Edwards 
iu 1827. Mr. John Edwards was the fourth child of this marriage, and 



380 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

was born at Valley Forge, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 
8, 1836. In 1837, his parents removed to Highland County, Ohio, and 
settled near Leesburg, where they are still living. Robert Edwards is 
of Welsh descent. His ancestors were among the first immigrants who 
peopled Berks County, Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Ed wards was reared on a farm. In 1856, he attended the acad- 
emy at South Salem, Ohio, then conducted by Professor J. A. J. Lowes. 
In September, 1858, he entered the freshman class of Miami University, at 
Oxford, Ohio, in which institution he pursued the regular classical course 
and was graduated with the highest honors of his class for scholarship, July 
3, 1862. During his stay at the university, he was under the tuition of 
Professor David Swing, a distinguished scholar and divine, now living at 
Chicago. Mr. Edwards, during his course as a student, was successively 
the recipient of all the honors awarded by his class. He was chosen to 
address the Elodelphian Literary Society, was elected poet laureate, 
and delivered the valedictory address to his classmates at their gradua- 
tion in 1862. 

After graduating, in 1862, he was elected in the fall of that year to 
the position of superintendent of public schools at Hillsborough, Ohio, 
which he resigned in 1864, and in September of that year was chosen 
superintendent ot public schools in the city of Hamilton, where he con- 
tinued till his resignation of that position in 1867. July 5, 1865, for dis- 
tinguished scholarship, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon 
him by the Miami University. 

During the three years of his stay in Hamilton, he studied law under 
Hon. Robert Christy, afterwards United States District Attorney at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar at Hamilton, Ohio, before 
Hon. Josiah Scott, of the Supreme Court of that state, in 1867. In the 
fall of that year he commenced the pactice of law at Hillsborough, O., 
forming there a co-partnership for that purpose with Hon. James Sloane 
and Judge S. F. Steel. 

In August, 1868, he removed to Maryville, Mo., where, during the 
winter of 1868-69, he filled the position of superintendent of public 
schools. 

In July, 1869, he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Lafayette Daw- 
son in the practice of law. The firm was dissolved by mutual consent 
January 1, 1877. In the fall of 1876, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney 
of Nodaway County, which position he filled until January 1, 1879. 

January 1, 1878, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. William W. 
Ramsay in the practice of law, which still continues. 

Mr. Edwards was reared under Quaker influences — his mother being 
a strict member of that sect. He was married February 12th, 1864, in 
Hillsborough, Ohio, to Mrs. Eli/.abeth A. Hays. She was born in Dal- 
las County, Alabama, August 22, 1839, and was the daughter of Colonel 




1 / 





(tts^t- ^fr^t^j/f^ 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 38 1 

James B. Diggs, of New Orleans, who commanded a regiment under 
General Jackson in the battle of January 8, 18 15. 

Mr. Edwards' wife, her daughter Anna D. Hays, by a former mar- 
riage, his two sons, Edward D. and Robert J., and one daughter, Mary L., 
constitute his family circle. 

As a lawyer, Mr. Edwards ranks among the best in Northwest Mis- 
souri. He is thoroughly conversant with the elementary principles of 
the law, and applies them with great clearness and candor. He is a 
forcible, logical speaker, and conducts his cases with marked ability. 
His proficiency as a pleader, his accuracy of statement and power of 
reasoning rarely fail to carry conviction to the court or jury. His 
mind acts quickly and with precision. His temperament is poetic, even 
romantic, but guarded by fine taste and the most delicate sense of the 
ludicrous. He is a ripe scholar, and possessing a tenacious memory, his 
mind is well stored with a vast fund of useful information, both of a his- 
torical and classical nature. No blemish mars the purity of his private 
life, and having a large heart, full of charity and noble impulses, he is 
held in high esteem by all who know him. He has written a number of 
poems, many of which have been published, and have obtained a wide 
circulation, notably, " The Deliverance," "Death," "The Battle of the 
Fens," and "Ode to the Mound Graves," and are greatly admired for 
their easy, vigorous and classic style. His "Ode to the Mound Graves,'' 
being perhaps his best, as well as his most popular production, we here 
insert it : 

ODE TO THE MOUND GRAVES. 



Beneath the mould of this unstoried heap, 

Close wrapt in coffins of their kindred clay, 

Hushed in th' embrace of de ith's cold, dreamless sleep, 

While untold years above them fleet away, 

Like the winged moments of the short lived day, 

May haply rest some nation's glorious dead, 

Consigned to dark oblivion and decay, — 

Save that poor pride hath made them here a bed, 

That lifts above the common clod its turf-crowned head. 



The w..rrior here hath wrapt him in his shroud, 

That shroud whose woof, though strong of old, I ween, 

Now melts within the breath like the dim cloud 

That fades before the daylight's ardent beam. 

Sleep on! though in your sepulchre no dream 

Of the to-morrow shall wake you again, 

Nor in your eyes reanimate the <;leam 

Of passion's fire, as once the voice of fame, 

To win on sanguine fields of war for you a deathless name. 



382 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY 



Ah ! could yt from this tenement arise, 

Incarnate, as of old, with vocal tongue, 

Some race of yore, mayhap, might greet mine eyes, 

Untold in fable and by muse unsung, 

Who, when the sires of these old oaks were young 

Whose deep'ning roots amid your bones have crept, 

And o'er your tomb their hoary branches flung, 

Their haunts in these wild vales and forests kept, 

Or o'er these hill*, with bow and lance, on martial errands swept. 



No harp of muse can to my listening ear, 

From the far, dim oblivion of the past, 

Call up the story of the race who here, 

Deep pillowed, sleep death's sleep, the last. 

Ere from the grave awakened by the blast 

And loud reveille of that trumpet's peal, 

Each quickened ghost shall rising stand aghast, 

And e'en the bosom of this pile shall feel 

The tramp, and from its dusty dep'hs its dead reveal. 

WILLIAM WHITTINGTON RAMSAY, ESQ. 

" Some things admit of mediocrity : 
A counsellor or pleader at the bar. 
May want Messala's pow'rful eloquence, 
Or be less read than deep Casselius ; 
Yet this indiff'rent lawyer is esteem'd." 

Josiah Ramsay, the great great-grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was a native of Virginia. Back in the colonial days, when the 
borders of Virginia constituted the wild frontier, he was captured by 
the Indians in his childhood, and remained with them seven years. On 
his release from this captivity, he returned to Virginia and was there 
married to a lady by the name of Patterson in the month of November, 
1775. Jonathan Ramsay was born of this marriage, in the year 1788. 
Josiah Ramsay moved from Virginia and settled in Robertson County, 
Tennessee, where, on the 2d day of May, 1793, Jonathan Ramsay was 
married to Hannah Lambkin, a native of North Carolina. Some time 
during the year 1794, Josiah Ramsay, Jr., was born of this marriage, and 
in the year 1796 or 1797, Jonathan Ramsay moved from the State of 
Tennessee to Kentucky, where he resided for several years. During 
the early part of the war of 18 12, Jonathan Ramsay was commissioned 
Brigadier General of Kentucky Militia, and commanded a division of 
men under General Samuel Hopkins in the northern campaigns. In 
Colins' History of Kentucky, General Ramsay is recorded as a member 
of the Kentucky Legislature from Livingston County for the year 18 13. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 383 

Some time after this he moved from the State of Kentucky and settled 
in Callaway County, Missouri, where he resided to within a short time 
of his death. On the 1st day of June, i860, at the residence of his 
daughter, Jane Ewing, near Jefferson City, this State, in his eighty-sixth 
year, he died. Josiah Ramsay, Jr., took part in the southern campaigns 
during the war of 181 2, and was at the battle of New Orleans, January 
8, 1815. 

Shortly after the close of this war, at Belle Fountain (a garrison in 
St. Louis County, Missouri), he was married to Martha W. Lockwood, a 
daughter of Captain Lockwood, then commanding the garrison. 

On the 10th day of May, 18 18, in the city of St. Louis, Lycurgus 
Lockwood Ramsay was born of this marriage. He grew to manhood in 
St. Louis and Cole Counties, Missouri, and on the 8th day of February, 
1838, at Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, was married to Elizabeth 
Jane Fenton, then a resident of Columbia, and a native of this state. 
Some time after his marriage Lycurgus L. Ramsay settled in Andrew 
County, Missouri. 

There were seven children — five sons and two daughters — born of 
this marriage, the youngest of whom is the subject of this memoir. 

William Whittington Ramsay was born in Andrew County, Mis- 
souri, on the 6th day of April, 1850. The spring of his birth was one 
of excitement throughout the country, on account of the late discovery 
of gold in California. His parents were comfortably situated upon a 
fine farm, in a land of great promise to those who were truly contented ; 
but Lycurgus L. Ramsay longed to behold the gold-beds of the great 
Eldorado. Accordingly, in May, 1850, he left his family upon the farm, 
which had been heavily mortgaged to procure funds for his journey, 
and went to California. 

Thus, at less than two months old, left to the sole control of his 
mother, with his little brothers and sisters, William W. Ramsay com- 
menced to solve the problem of life. 

In childhood, he attended such schools as were taught in his neigh- 
borhood, and, by the aid of his mother, who guided and directed his 
early education, at the age of ten years had mastered such elementary 
studies as were then taught in the common schools of that country. It 
was the desire and wish of his mother to continue his education, but by 
this time the old homestead had been wrested from her under the mort- 
gage, and she was compelled to rent and move annually from place to 
place, while his older brothers were forced to work out from home for 
the support and maintenance of the family. 

While thus situated, James M. Ewing, principal of the North Prairie 
Farmers' Institute, proposed to take the lad into the institute, without 
charge, and teach him all the branches taught in that school. The fam- 
ily decided that his work could be spared at home, and that he should 



384 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

have the favorable opportunity of acquiring a more thorough education. 
In the fall of i860, he entered this institute, and continued during the 
following winter and spring. In this school he made a thorough review 
of the elementary studies and some advancement in the higher branches, 
and was favorably situated to pursue his studies when the institute was 
suspended by the breaking out of the civil war. Here ended his school 
days for several years. 

In 1864, he left Andrew County and went to Nebraska City. In the 
spring of 1866, he concluded to try his fortune in the west ; hiring as a 
teamster, for forty-five dollars per month, he drove an ox team to Pike's 
Peak and back that summer. In the fall of 1866, in company with his 
mother and one brother, he went to the state of Texas, where he spent 
one year. In the summer of 1867, he returned to Hamburg, Iowa. On 
this homeward journey, on the 23d day of July, 1867, at North Fork, in 
the Indian Territory, he lost his mother, who fell a prey to the cholera, 
then prevalent in that country. 

During the winters of 1867-8-9, he attended the public school at 
Hamburg, Fremont County, Iowa, under Prof. Beard, principal. 

In the fall of 1869, Mr. Ramsay came to Nodaway County and com- 
menced teaching a district school. He continued in that business, read- 
ing law at intervals, until the spring of 1875, when he moved to Maryville 
and entered the law office of Messrs. Dawson & Edwards. In the month 
of July, 1875, he was admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1875, he formed 
a law partnership with Judge Andrew Royal, which continued about one 
year, and was dissolved by his partner's removal to St. Joseph, Missouri. 
Mr. Ramsay continued alone in the practice up to January 1, 1878, at 
which date he formed a partnership with John Edwards, Esq., which 
partnership still exists. Politically, Mr. Ramsay is a Democrat. He 
regards it the duty of every good citizen to study well the measures and 
and policies of government — to look upon politics as a science. 

"A thousand years scarce serve to form a state, 
An hour may lay it in the dust." 

From the spring of 1876, until the spring of 1878, he served as chair- 
man of the Democratic Central Committee of this county. In the fall of 
1878, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of prosecuting 
attorney, and in the fall of 1880, was re-elected to the same office, which 
he now holds. He took an active part in the campaigns which preceded 
the elections of 1876, 1878 and 1880. In the caucus, the convention, or 
upcn the stump, his action is open, well defined and sincere. Passion- 
ately fond of debate, he is always willing to meet his opponent in joint 
discussion, and measure swords with him in an open field. Notwith- 
standing the interest he takes in the recurring political canvass, his time 
and energies have not been diverted from the law. Few lawyers of his 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 385 

age can point to more legal contests, or with modest pride, to a brighter 
record at the bar. 

On the 22d day of February, 1874, Mr. Ramsay was married to 
Madora A. Lamar, only daughter of Charles J. and Kasiah Lamar. His 
home has been blessed with one sprightly little boy, Charles A. Ramsay, 
born November 1, 1876. 

HON. LAKE. DAWSON. 

No introductory remarks are needed to present this distin- 
guished gentleman to the public, as he is as familiarly known as any 
man within the borders of the Platte Purchase. He was born in McClean 
County, Illinois, May 13, 1839. His father, James R. Dawson, was a 
native of Kentucky, and his grand-father, James Dawson, was a Virgin- 
ian, and among the pioneers of Kentucky, where he met his death at the 
hands of the Indians. James R. Dawson was one of the substantial agri- 
culturists of McClean County, Illinois ; was County Judge, and promi- 
nently identified in political circles, being an associate and intimate 
friend of General Shields and other noted men of his day. Young Lafe's 
early education was received in the common schools of his native county, 
after which he took an academic course at Lexington, Illinois. When 
nineteen years of age he went to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he followed 
school teaching. Having a desire to see more of the western country, he 
journeyed into New Mexico, thence to Colorado, eventually returning 
to Kansas. In 1862, he came to Nodaway County, locating temporarily ; 
returned to Colorado, from which point he went to Illinois, remaining 
until 1865, when he returned and became a permanent resident of 
Maryville. 

Mr. Dawson has attained a wide and well-merited reputation in the 
Northwest, both as a civil and criminal lawyer — as a criminal lawyer, 
he has been on the defense with marked success in many noted cases 
in Nodaway and other counties. Of. these the most noted are the State 
vs. Torrance, tried in Worth County ; State vs. Bain, tried in Andrew 
County ; State vs. Cornell ; State vs. Wood ; State vs. Fluegel ; State vs. 
Cox ; State vs. Alexander ; State vs. Talbott Brothers ; State vs. Grant, 
and State vs. Harmon, both in Gentry County. 

He was Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket during the 
celebrated Tilden campaign, and made a most brilliant canvass of his 
district. 

He has a splendid physique ; is just now in the prime of life, and is one 
of the most genial and companionable of men. He has many strong 
friends, who are for " Lafe." first, last and all the time. 

Although deficient in his early education, yet as an orator he ranks 
among the best in Northwest Missouri, and his power before a» jury, or 
a popular audience, is something wonderful. 



386 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Possessing an ardent temperament, a vigorous imagination and a 
volubility of speech, he is ready at a moment's warning to discuss pub- 
licly, and in a pleasing and effective manner, any theme which may 
delight an audience. 

Since the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Wabash, St. Louis 
& Pacific railroads reached Maryville, he has been the attorney for both 
of those popular lines. 

Dawsonville, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, west of Maryville, 
was named after the subject of this sketch. 

At the March term of court, in 1878, Mr. Dawson was elected judge 
of the circuit court by the bar, the term lasting three weeks. 

In 1862, Miss Calecta Thornhill became his wife. By this union 
they have three children — John M., Cora E. and Eva M. 

HON. CYRUS A. ANTHONY. 

Hon. Cyrus A. Anthony was born April 29, 1839, in Hackettstown, 
New Jersey. His father, Francis Anthony, was a native of Tyrone, 
Ireland, and emigrated to America about 1818, settling in New Jersey. 
In 1852, he came west, selecting as his home a beautiful farm in Stark 
County, Illinois, where he died in 1876, after a happy, useful life. His 
mother, Elizabeth Hager, daughter of Jacob Hager, a German farmer, 
was a native of Warren County, New Jersey. The subject of this sketch 
was raised on the family farm in Stark County, Illinois. He attended a 
course of literary reading at Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois. 
In 1 86 1, he entered as a private soldier Company K, Fifty-first Illinois 
Infantry, and remained in active service until peace reigned, being 
mustered out in 1865. Mr. Anthony possesses firmness and self-reli- 
ance, combining the two qualities indispensable to great action. Add to 
these daring, and you will readily see why his promotions followed so 
rapidly. He was first a quartermaster sergeant, then first lieutenant, 
and finally promoted to Captain of Company G. 

He was engaged in service in Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama and 
Georgia. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1869. In 1870, he 
located at Maryville, Nodaway County, where he now resides, engaged 
in the practice of his profession. He was county attorney of Nodaway 
County during 1875-6, and city attorney of Maryville during 1874-5-6. 

He is now (1882) member of the Lower House of the State Legisla- 
ture from Maryville. His success as a lawyer lies in his noble devotion 
to his profession. Politically, he is a Democrat ; religiously, a Pres- 
byterian. In 1864, he was married to Miss Charlotte Shaw, of Stark 
County, Illinois. 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 387 

HON. JEFF. CHANDLER. 

Hon. Jeff. Chandler, of St. Louis, was born in Maine, educated 
in Michigan and elevated to fame in Missouri. He is a college graduate, 
and in his youthful days imparted a portion of his lore, firmly implanted 
by a liberal use of the birch, to many male and female Michiganders, 
several of whom have climbed into national renown. In the latter days 
of the civil war, then an ambitious young man of about twenty-one 
years, he went west and located in St. Joseph, Missouri. Amid the 
clash of contending arms the laws were silent, and young Chandler, 
fired with patriotic zeal, enlisted in a regiment of Missouri militia. 
Much to his regret, however, the regiment was never ordered to the front. 
Hanging out his shingle when peace was established, he quickly secured 
a lucrative practice and was in turn elected city, county and district 
attorney. In 1872, he was nominated by the Conservatives of Missouri 
for Attorney-General and made a glorious campaign, in company with 
ex-Senator John B. Henderson, who headed the ticket. He made a 
splendid race, but the whole ticket was defeated by over 40,000 majority. 
Then he abandoned politics and devoted his entire attention to the 
law. Locating in St. Louis, where he is universally respected, he 
speedily took a front rank at the bar of the western metropolis. He has 
an elegant country seat and delights in bucolic pastimes. The Democrats 
of the Third District of Missouri have repeatedly manifested a dispo- 
sition to send him to Congress. Mr. Chandler is most happily married 
to the daughter of one of Missouri's leading families. He has five 
bright-eyed children, three of them pursuing their studies at the George- 
town Convent of the Visitation. He is special counsel for Gen. Brady 
in the Star Route cases. Mr. C. is now a resident of Washington, D. C. 

HON. HENRY S. KELLEY 

was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, on the 18th day of 
December, 1832. His father, Samuel Kelley, was born in Ohio, and was 
a merchant and farmer. His mother's maiden name was Mary Holder, 
who was also a native of Ohio. The subject of this sketch was raised 
on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native 
county. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at Marion, Indiana, 
in 1853. From 1854 to ! 856, he was prosecuting attorney of a district 
in Indiana, and from 1856 to i860, was judge of the common pleas court, 
embracing the counties of Grant, Blackford and Delaware. 

In 1861, September, he moved to Dakota Territory, and in 1863, he 
removed, going to Iowa In 1866, he came to Andrew County, Missouri, 
locating at Savannah, where he engaged in the practice of his profession,, 
continuing therein until April, 1872, when he was elected Judge of the 



3^8 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Twentieth Judicial Circuit. He was again re-elected judge in 1874, and 
in 1880, and is the present incumbent of that office. 

Judge Kelley is the author of " Kelley's Treatise for Justices and 
Constables in the State of Missouri," published in 1869, a book contain- 
ing 800 pages, and revised in 1881. He is also the author of " Criminal 
Law and Practice," published in 1876, 700 pages, and author of the " Pro- 
bate Guide," published in 1872. 

Since 1872, he has, at stated times, lectured on Criminal Law and 
Practice in Missouri, at the State University. He lectures also on Med- 
ical Jurisprudence, in St. Joseph College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
and is a contributor to the Central Law Journal, St. Louis. 

He married Miss Adelia Harlan, in 1855, at Sturgis, Michigan, who 
was the daughter of Andrew J. Harlan, of Marion, Indiana. They have 
seven children, five boys and two girls, the eldest being twenty-two 
years of age. 

Judge Kelley was a Democrat until the organization of the Repub- 
lican party; since then he has been a Republican. He is a member of 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but has no religious preferences. 
He is a good lawyer and an able jurist. 

I. Y. M'MILLAN, ESQ. 

Prominent among the many substantial and worthy citizens of Mary- 
ville, is he whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Belmont 
County, Ohio, May 13, 1S42. His father, J. McMillan, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and among the comparatively early settlers of Belmont 
County. I. V. received the benefits of the common schools of his native 
county, after which he attended college at Haysville, Ohio, and upon the 
completion of his course, took up the study of law at St. Clairsville, Bel- 
mont County. He was admitted to the bar in the autumn of 1865, and 
soon after came to Missouri, locating temporarily at Mexico, and in Feb- 
ruary, 1866, took up his abode in Maryville. Few men have been more 
closely and officially identified with the interests of the county than Mr. 
McMillan, having held the offices respectively of county attorney and 
public administrator, the former for over two years and the latter four 
years ; was also city attorney three years. In the different trusts he was 
diligent and faithful, securing a high reputation for fidelity, liberality and 
the courtesy he extended to all. As a lawyer he possesses fine oratorical 
power, is a ready speaker and speaks with clearness and precision. The 
Republican doctrine is his rule of faith ; he, however, is a gentleman of 
decided and independent spirit, and does not allow party fealty to bias 
his judgment, and condemns wrong wherever found. He is a Royal Arch 
Mason. Has been twice married — first in 1868, to Miss R. Y. Howarter. 
By this union they had three children : Frank 1. and I. 1 1 ; lost one, [da 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 389 

R. Mrs. McM. deceased in 1872. By his present wife, nee Mattie L. 
Hosmer, he has had two children — one living, Rosa, and one deceased, 
May. 

HON. S. R. BEECH, MAYOR OF MARYVILLE. 

This highly esteemed fellow citizen is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and was born in Crawford County, December 25, 1846. His father, O. 
O. Beech, was a Pennsylvanian, and his mother, nee Ruth Baker, was a 
native of Ohio. His father was a carpenter and contractor of consider- 
able note, and for a time was identified with mercantile pursuits in 
Crawford County. His death occurred when S. R. was in his fourteenth 
year. The mother, with eight children, was left in limited circum- 
stances, consequently his early educational advantages were meagre. 
He resided in his native state until 1864, when he tendered his services 
to the Union cause, enlisting in Company E, Eighty-third Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of the Wilderness he was danger- 
ously wounded, one ball taking effect in his left arm, and passing 
through his body, and received a slight wound in one of his lower 
limbs. After serving one year he was honorably discharged, returned 
to his home in Pennsylvania, and for a time attended an academy in 
Crawford County, after which he took a course at the Eastmann 
National Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York. Upon return- 
ing home he was appointed postmaster at Cambridge, Crawford County, 
which position he held two years, when he resigned and came to Mis- 
souri, taking up his abode in Nodaway County, eleven miles west of 
Maryville, where he engaged in farming, coal mining, and devoted a 
portion of his time to school teaching. In 1872, he was elected sheriff 
by the Republican party, and at the expiration of his term re-elected, 
being the first time in the county that a sheriff was his own successor. 

While discharging the duties of sheriff he devoted his leisure hours 
to the study of law, made good progress, and in the spring of 1877, was 
admitted to the bar. His professional career has been very successful. 
He has been attorney in many noted trials. Among these were the 
Otto Sharp murder trial, and the celebrated Talbott parracide. 

In 1878, he was chosen chairman of the Republican Central Com- 
mittee, and still retains that position. In 1878, was city attorney, has 
been secretary of the school board, and identified with the educational 
interests of the city. 

In 1880, he was the choice of the people for mayor of the city, and 
as an incumbent of that office has done much towards the improvement 
of Maryville. Mr. B. is a man of clear judgment and a vigorous thinker, 
and is destined to take a leading place at the bar of Northwest Missouri. 
He is perfectly free from affectation, very cordial, and possesses the 
manners of a true gentleman. Nodaway County cannot have too many 



390 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



such men as Mr. Beech. He married in 1868, Miss Matilda Burdick. 
By this union they have had four children, three of whom are living : 
Minnie, Charlie and Ernst ; lost one, Guy ; died when nine months old. 

HON. T. J. JOHNSTON 

was born in Pike County, Illinois, August 20, 1836. His father, David 
Johnston, was a native of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. His mother 
(whose maiden name was Sarah E. Day) was a Kentuckian by birth. 

Mr. Johnston's youth was spent on his father's farm, in the neigh- 
borhood of which he attended the common schools of his county. He 
afterwards atended the Christian University at Canton, Missouri. He 
made choice of law as a profession, and entering the law office of O. H. 
Gilmer, of Pittsfield, Illinois, he thoroughly prepared himself for the 
duties of his profession. He was admitted to the bar in i860. In 1864, 
he moved to Milan, Sullivan County, Missouri, and engaged in active 
practice. During his residence at Milan, he was elected judge of the 
probate court. In 1870, Judge Johnston located at Maryville, Missouri, 
and at once was recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the Nod- 
away County bar. He is a good lawyer and safe counselor, always pre- 
paring his cases with great care, and being thoroughly conversant with 
the law and its proper application to the questions at issue, he rarely 
fails of success. 

He is held in high esteem by not only the members of the legal fra- 
ternity, who acknowledge his ability as a lawyer, but is highly respected 
in the community where he resides as a good citizen, a neighbor and 
friend. 

He was married, in 1859, to Miss Mary E. Chenowith, of Illinois. 
They have one son — J. B. Johnston. 



£g^,H 



: '-" i . 




CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CRIMES — TRIALS. 

TRIAL OF SOLOMON McALPIN— TANSEY TRAGEDY— THE ASSASSINATION OF NICHOLAS 
LEEHMER— A REMARKABLE CASE OF INFANTICIDE— THE H03AN HOMICIDE AND 
OTTO SHARP TRIAL-THE TALBOTT BOYS. 

All organized counties and communities, it matters not what may 
be their geographical location or what may be their general moral and 
religious status, have a criminal record. Some of these records are 
comparatively free from crime, while others are replete with deeds of 
violence and bloodshed. 

Nodaway County is no exception to this universal rule, yet from the 
date of its organization to the present time the number of crimes com- 
mitted in proportion to population, as shown by the records of the 
courts, is far less than that of any other county in Northwest Missouri. 
There are, however, some facts of a criminal character which belong to 
the history of the county, and are of such importance that they may be 
narrated in this work. 

TRIAL OF SOLOMON M'ALPIN. 

Taken from notes prepared by John Edwards, Esq.: 

The trial of Solomon McAlpin, charged with the murder of John T. 
Callicutt, on the 30th of August, 1866, in the northern part of Nodaway 
County, took place at the December adjourned term of the circuit court, 
1869. The case was set for trial at the regular term in October of 1869, 
but on account of its importance and the length of time necessary for 
the hearing of the testimony, a special adjourned term was ordered to 
be held December 7, 1869. 

Major B. K. Davis, circuit attorney, assisted by I. V. McMillan, Esq., 
appeared for the presecution ; Col. W. P. Hepburn and Judge Morsman, 
both of Clarinda, Iowa, appeared as counsel in behalf of the defendant. 

The defendant had been held on recognizance in the sum of five 
thousand dollars for his appearance to answer the charge. As the pre- 
sumption of his guilt, and the evidence heretofore disclosed against him, 
had warranted his being admitted to bail, sanguine hopes of his acquit- 
tal on the final trial were entertained by his friends and counsel. 



392 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Solomon McAlpin, the defendant, was a young man at the time of 
his trial, not more than twenty- three years of age, and of not unprepos- 
sessing appearance. In person he was rather slightly built, of medium 
height, with rather prominent features, dark brown hair, dull blue eyes, 
and a look devoid of expression and wanting in intellectuality. What- 
ever he might have felt, he exhibited throughout the trial an easy air of 
stolid unconcern. He appeared in the court room genteelly dressed, and 
sat near his counsel, paid attention to all that passed, but seemed not to 
comprehend his situation nor be sensibly affected by the strength or 
weakness of the evidence adduced to show his guilt or prove his inno- 
cence. His countenance was closely observed throughout the trial, but 
no physical change, indicative of either hope or fear, could be detected. 
He had enjoyed ample time to make preparation for his defense ; all 
that the ingenuity of learned and experienced counsel could devise had 
been brought to bear in his favor. Three long years had cast their veil 
of obscurity over almost every circumstance that could conspire to reveal 
his guilt — over all save one — the wandering companion of his early years 
had not returned, crowned with the fruition of his own boyish dreams, to 
impersonate the missing dead, and dispel the foul suspicion that had 
branded the accused with a cold-blooded and most cruel murder. 

The trial elicited much interest in the community, and during the 
four days and nights of its continuance the court house was densely 
crowded with persons from different parts of the county. 

Judge I. C. Parker presided during the trial, and administered the 
law, in the opinion of those most competent to judge, in strict accord- 
ance with the spirit of our criminal jurisprudence, yet tempered with 
mercy toward the accused. 

The facts concerning the murder, detailed at length in the testimony 
of the various witnesses, are as follows: On Friday evening of August 
19, 1866, between sundown and dark, Solomon McAlpin, the defendant, 
and John T. Callicutt, the deceased, left the home of the latter, near 
Hawleyville, in Page County, Iowa, with an ox team and covered wagon, 
to go to St. Joseph, Missouri, to purchase a load of apples. On the 
Monday following, McAlpin came back with the team, and circulated 
the story that young Callicutt had gone to the Missouri River, or the 
mountains, to seek his fortune, and that he intended neither to write 
home to his friends, nor return until the object of his novel and strange 
adventures had been fully accomplished. On the blankets which they 
had taken with them, and which McAlpin brought back, were observed 
spots of blood. McA!pin explained them by stating that on their trip 
down, they had killed a pig, and being about to be detected by some 
passers-by, threw it into the wagon and covered it with the blankets. 
Several other circumstances in the conduct and statements of McAlpin, 
caused suspicion at length to fasten upon him as the probable murderer 



HISTORY <)}■ NODAWAY COUNTY. 393 

of Callicutt. In February, 1868, a skelton was found near the road, a few 
miles north of Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, which bore marks of 
identity that served to point it out to the brother of the deceased as the 
skeleton of John T. Callicutt. At the April term, 1868, of the Circuit 
Court of Nodaway County, an indictment was found against Solomon 
McAlpin, charging him with the murder of Callicutt. A requisition was 
made by the Governor of Missouri for McAlpin. He was arrested, had 
a preliminary examination before Esquire Hinchman, of Clarinda, Iowa, 
and was subsequently remanded to the proper authorities of this State. 
We give below the testimony in the case, slightly condensed, but in 
the main correct. As much interest was manifested in the case by the 
community at large, the perusal of the testimony in this work will prove 
of great interest to our readers at this date. 

! UK EVIDENCE. 

David A. Lock sworn : I reside in Nodaway County. Sometime in 
February, 1 868, I was informed that a human skeleton was found in a 
slough, about one mile and a half south of my land. I went and looked 
at the skeleton, then came to town, and, in company with Mr. Goslee, 
returned and examined it. The skull was perforated with three bullet 
holes. One ball had entered near the center of the forehead ; one over 
the left eye, and the third had passed entirely through the head, just 
above the ears. We found one ball still in the cavity of the skull. The 
prairie grass in the slough is high during the summer season. I he 
skeleton lay, when first discovered, about forty rods from the Maryville 
and Hawleyville road. Mr. Goslee was with me when the skeleton and 
other remains were examined. We found a piece of hat, a remnant of a 
blouse, and one waistband of a shirt and a collar. The waistband was 
soiled and dirty. We found one or more common blouse buttons and 
some shirt buttons. The latter were of different kinds. The one on 
the wastband was of white pearl. We found also the bottom piece or 
leathern portion of a suspender. The parts of the skeleton when found 
were not scattered. His boots were between course and fine boots ; the 
tops capped or foxed in front. I afterward visited the place where the 
skeleton was found in company with William R. Callicutt and some one 
else. We then found some hair, buttons, and teeth. The hair was 
rolled up in a piece of blouse, and was of a light brown cast. 

Cross-examined : I was not with the surveyors when the skeleton 
was first found. William Callicutt took the buttons which I had left 
with Mr. Yanderhoof. 

William R. Callicutt sworn : I live in Iowa ; knew the deceased ; 
he was my brother. I have known the defendant for ten or twelve years; 
lived near each other. An arrangement was made between brother and 



394 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

defendant to go to St. Joseph for apples. They went with an ox team 
that belonged to brother and myself. The wagon was the defendant's. 
They left home Friday evening August 18, 1866. McAlpin lived one 
mile and a half southeast of Hawleyville. The cattle were about four 
years old, of red color, and one of them had lost a horn. The wagon 
was considerably worn and had a high seat set on posts. They had no 
cover on when they started ; am not sure that they had bows to the bed, 
but have an impression that they were on. The deceased prepared a 
mess-box ; I saw it at a wagon shop in Hawleyville ; it was a common 
goods box with a lid. I saw no names on the box. When they left my 
brother took two hats, one an old white hat the other a black jockey 
hat, nearly new. He took with him also a soldier's blouse, which he 
had brought from the army ; it had government buttons on it, with 
eagles stamped upon them. I have seen similar buttons many times on 
soldiers' blouses. The cloth material of the blouse was of the usual kind. 
The deceased had the blouse on when he left. He had on striped panta- 
loons of cotton and woolen material ; had on cloth gaiters considerably 
worn. He left at home a cloth coat, worth about eighteen dollars. My 
brother was seventeen years old when he left home. He made money 
by selling brick ; he also had some bounty money. When he went away 
Tie wore suspenders and a cotton shirt with bosom of raised and figured 
cloth. I had a shirt like his ; mother made them both. The shirt had 
large common white buttons on the wristband and the back of the 
collar. My brother's shirt and mine were made about the same time ; I 
bought the cloth for both, and brother was with me at the time. I heard 
defendant and brother talk about purchasing the apples, and it was 
agreed that brother should pay for them. Brother had money when he 
left, but I cannot say how much. He had been selling brick. I had 
burned a kiln ot about one hundred thousand ; they were worth about 
ten dollars per thousand ; about one-fourth of the kiln had been sold ; 
brother owned half of the brick. He had drawn his bounty money in 
the spring before he left. I next saw defendant some time during the 
next week after they left to go for the apples. I have never seen my 
brother since. Defendant did not bring home the oxen. He turned 
them out on the prairie and we went after them. Defendant did not 
notify us when he returned. Mr. Painter brought the jockey hat and 
gaiters to our house, and I first saw them there. I saw the blankets 
which were brought back ; they were common government blankets. I 
observed marks of blood-spots on them and they presented the appear- 
ance of having been washed. Our family, Dr. Saddler, Mr. Buckingham 
and Mr. Turner, all saw the blood marks. The marks of blood were on 
both blankets. Defendant said he had killed a pig on the road to St. 
Joseph, and as they were about to be caught with it by some person 
passing, they threw it into the wagon upon the blankets. The second 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 395 

time I asked defendant about the pig, he said John (deceased) killed It. 
He did not say what further they did with the pig. He said brother 
got tired of riding in the wagon, and when they got to Ulmer's Bridge 
they camped there for the night. He said they stayed there Sunday 
afternoon also. The bridge called Ulmer's Bridge is about nine miles 
north of Maryville, in Nodaway .County. The next morning the defend- 
ant started back with the team and brother went on. He said when he 
last saw brother he was on Ulmer's Bridge, and he said he was going to 
the plains or the Missouri River, and did not know that he should ever 
return. Defendant said he brought two revolvers back, but that they 
both belonged to him and brother had none. He said he bought the 
revolvers of Matthew L. Davis. After this conversation, when I next 
saw defendant, he came riding back, called me and asked me if I thought 
he had killed him. I told him I did not know that any one had accused 
him of doing so. Afterward, while going from court here, I asked him if 
he thought I would ever see John again. He said he thought not, but 
that he was still living. About one month before they went for the 
apples, defendant was at our house and brother was asleep on the 
lounge. Defendant then remarked to me that he intended to have some 
money if he had to kill somebody for it. We had been talking about 
our money affairs. In the spring of 1868, about eighteen months after 
brother's disappearance, I first heard that a skeleton had been found 
north of Maryville, and that it was in possession of Dr. Mulholland. I 
came to see it and examined the skull, the jawbone and other principal 
bones. I noticed in the jawbone that the first molar tooth, first one on 
the right side, had been drawn. The general features of the skull and 
jaw bone resembled brother's. He had a full forehead, and the point of 
his chin-bone stuck out on the right side. His cheek bones were high. 
I observed on the point of the chin-bone of the skeleton that it stuck 
out on the right side. Brother, when alive, had tusks ; the cuspid or 
canine teeth, in his upper jaw, stuck out from the others on each side. 
In this skeleton I observed the same peculiarity respecting these teeth. 
Brother had a tooth drawn in the spring of 1866. It was the first molar 
tooth in the jaw on the right side. I know, because before he had it 
drawn, it ached, and I often filled the cavity of it with cotton steeped in 
creosote. When brother had it drawn, he brought it home and it was 
preserved. I have it here. (Tooth produced.) The tooth was drawn the 
last of March or the first of April, 1866. (Here the jaw bone of the 
skeleton was shown to the witness.) I recognize this as the same jaw 
bone that I saw at Dr. Mulholland's. I had heard of no peculiarities 
about the skeleton before I saw it. I think I told some one before I had 
seen it, that if it was the skeleton of my brother, it would have about it 
certain peculiarities. When I first saw the skeleton, Dr. Mulholland 
shook the bones of the rieht foot out of the rieht boot. I then observed 



396 HISTORY OF NODAWAY county. 

a ridge or seam across the second and third bones of the toes. When 
my brother was in the army in South Carolina, he cut his boot in that 
place with an ax, and was disabled for service, and in consequence was 
discharged. (A blouse button, a piece of blouse and some hair were 
here shown to the witness, and identified by him as the same that were 
found with the skeleton.) I found one large white button and two 
smaller ones. The large one was lost ; it was of the common kind. The 
smaller buttons were of pearl, with a crease or rim around the edge. 

Cross-examined. — I saw brother the evening before he left. He had 
sold about one-fourth of the brick. There might have been as many as 
one hundred thousand. Father corrected brother in the spring of 1866. 
Brother did not strike him with a chair, he merely pushed him with it. 
Brother did not afterward threaten to leave ; the difficulty was settled 
between them. Before defendant spoke to me about whether I thought 
he had murdered brother, I was not aware that any one had accused him 
of doing it. We thought something was wrong, and Dr. Saddler and 
Mr. Buckingham brought defendant over to our house to make some 
explanation about John's disappearance. We then asked the defendant 
how the blood got on the blankets, but did not accuse him of murdering 
brother. I do not remember that defendant and myself ever had any 
difficulty. My feelings toward him are such as any one might entertain 
toward the murderer of his brother. Prior to the time of brother's dis- 
appearance defendant and I were intimate friends. I remember the 
prominence on my brother's chin, by his once having said in Tennessee, 
when we were in the army, that he could shave better if it were not for 
the knot on his chin. I never knew that defendant was instrumental in 
having me accused of larceny in St. Joseph. 

George M Ringgold, sworn : I live about ten miles north of Mary- 
ville, in Nodaway County, on the Maryville and Hawleyville road. 
Some time between the first and the middle of September, 1866, while 
going up the state road, I saw the defendant. He was going northward 
and overtook me. He asked me if I had seen any horses, as he had lost 
his near Wakefield's. He said he had been "teaming." He asked me if 
I had seen two men who had been looking for a man who they supposed 
had been murdered. The defendant told me he was the man whom they 
suspected of having committed the murder. They had had him arrested, 
he said, and brought before a court in Iowa, but being able to prove noth- 
ing against him, were compelled to discharge him. I was not acquainted 
with the defendant at the time. Mother had seen the two men of whom 
he spoke, but I had not. She had seen them about a week before. 

George L. Ringgold, sworn : I live twelve miles north of Maryville, 
in Nodaway County, Missouri. I lived there in 1866. I met the defend- 
ant on Sunday, about the 20th of August, 1866, between 1 1 and 12 
o'clock in the forenoon, one mile and a-half north of my house. He was 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 397 

driving an ox team. The cattle were red and about three or four years 
old. The wagon was covered. It was an old wagon. I observed the 
form of a man covered up lying in the wagon. I was going at the time, 
in company with my son, to visit another son. The next morning I met 
the same wagon south of Ulmer's bridge, about one-fourth of a mile It 
was between 8 and 10 o'clock in the forenoon. I saw no one then but 
the defendant in the wagon. At the time I recognized him to be the 
man whom I had met the day before. I live north of Ulmer's bridge 
one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards. No one lives near the 
bridge on the north side. I can see it from my house. The night after 
I first met the defendant, no campers stopped between my house and the 
bridge. I know this, because I carried water past there late in the even- 
ing. When I first met the defendant, I asked him if he would sell the 
cattle. He said he would not, as they were not his. I remember the 
time of seeing the defendant, because a few days afterward William R- 
Callicutt and another man cam a there hunting a missing man. 

James Worth sworn : I resided in 1866, about ten miles north of 
Maryville, and about a mile and a-half north of Ringgold's. I saw the 
defendant on Sabbath morning, in 1866. He was driving a yoke of red 
oxen, a little north of the school house. I got into the wagon and rode 
with him about half a mile to Judge Morehouse's, when I got out. The 
wagon was covered up toward the hind end, and had a high seat. There 
was some one lying in the wagon under the covered part, with the 
blankets drawn over him. I heard the defendant say to him, "John, get 
up and drive ; I do not want to drive past the school house." The per- 
son spoken to said, "You can drive as well as I can." This was about 
nine o'clock in the forenoon on Sunday. 

Dr. Mulholland sworn: I was living in Maryville in 1868, when a 
part)' of surveyors found the skeleton. A wagon was sent out, and it 
was brought into my office. I have since kept the most of it in my pos- 
session. William R. Callicutt called at my office to see the skeleton. I 
showed it to him. I showed him the bones which I took out of the right 
boot. I think this was the first time they had been taken out. I exam- 
ined the bones, and then thought there was a scar on them. Some bones 
naturally have ridges on them. I could not detect any ridge on the toe 
bones of the skeleton. 

Dr. J. G. Saddler sworn : I knew the defendant and the deceased in 
1866. I saw and examined the blankets which were brought back by 
the defendant. One had the appearance of being stained with blood. 
The spot was near one end, and was the size of my two hands. Some- 
time about April, 1866, I extracted a tooth for John T. Callicut, I think 
the next to the last one in the lower jaw — the wisdom tooth had not 
then appeared —but cannot say from which side. Defendant told me he 



39$ HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

had washed the blankets. This conversation took place at Callicutt's, 
there being several persons present. 

Jefferson Kelly sworn : I knew deceased and defendant in 1866, and 
knew that they started to Missouri for apples some time in August of 
that year. I lived near them. I left the neighborhood on Friday, 
August 18, 1866, and did not return until the Monday evening following. 
Defendant was then at home, and I saw him on next day, Tuesday. 
Defendant came to me and asked me why Thomas Kelly and William 
R. Callicutt went to Missouri. I replied, they went to see if they could 
get any information of John T. Callicutt. Defendant then said,, there 
had been a horse stolen down in Missouri, and they had better be on 
their guard, as they were after the thief, and if they caught the boys, 
they would punish them. Defendant said when John T. Callicutt left 
him he was well and hearty. I then asked him how the blankets came 
to be bloody. He said he and John killed a pig, and were about to get 
into a scrape in consequence thereof, and they covered it up with the 
blankets to conceal it. He said that he and John took an oath that 
neither should tell which way the other went, nor write home. This 
conversation took place at a store on Wednesday. 

TESTIMONY FOR THE STATE. 

The testimony for the state closed here. The defense opened by 
the introduction of the deposition of Jonas Edenfield. The purport of 
his testimony, and that presented in some four or five other depositions 
offered in evidence, tended to prove that John T. Callicutt, had been 
seen by different parties after the time of his alleged murder, and that 
he had gone to the mountains to seek his fortune in pursuance of his 
intention expressed to the defendant at the time they last parted. The 
deposition of Edenfield was taken at Lawrence, Douglas County, Kan- 
sas, in August, 1868 : 

John Edenfield's deposition : I am well acquainted with the defend- 
ant, Solomon McAlpin. I have known him for six years. I knew John 
T. Callicutt also ; I first became acquainted with him in 1862. I resided 
then about three miles north of Hawleyville, in Page County, Iowa. 
During the winter and summer of 1862, I was with him almost every 
Sunday. He assisted me in selling a load of apples at a camp meeting 
below Hawleyville in the fall of 1863. I enlisted in the volunteer ser- 
vice, during the late war, as a private in what was known as the Black 
Horse Battalion. I enlisted late in the fall of 1863. When I left home 
to enter the service, John T. Callicutt was living at home. I did not 
again see him after I left home, until I met him between Cheyenne and 
the Black Hills, at what is called the Half Way Point, or Little Jack's 
Ranche, close to what is known as the Man's Head, in Dakota Terri- 



HISTORY OV NODAWAY COUNTY. 399 

tory, near the Colorado line, on Crow Creek, and on the main road from 
Cheyenne to the coal diggings and pineries of the Black Hills, in Colo- 
rado Territory. I was then attending to the bar, at Little Jack's 
Ranche. I there met John T. Callicutt on the 29th day of December, 
1867. I know it was on that day, because it was on the day before last 
Christmas. He came to the ranche from the direction of Denver City, 
Colorado. He came about ten o'clock in the morning and remained 
until about half past one, in the afternoon of the same day. While he 
was there, I gave him three or four drinks at the bar. We had a long 
talk about old times and acquaintances. During the conversation, I 
called him John Callicutt. While he was there, we ate dinner together, 
and I made a great many inquiries of him, in reference to mutual 
acquaintances in Page County, Iowa, and particularly about my fathers 
family, and my relatives with whom he was acquainted. When he came 
to the ranche, he was traveling on a mule, and appeared well dressed. 
I observed him have twenty dollars. He was about twenty years old. 
I am positive he was John T. Callicutt. 

Henry A. Huston's deposition : I am a printer by occupation, and 
reside in Hawleyville, Iowa. I was intimately acquainted with John T. 
Callicutt. I last saw him on the 17th of August, 1866, in my store in 
Hawleyville. About four weeks after defendant and Callicutt went for 
the apples, I went to St. Joseph. On the way I passed Savannah, and 
near the old Nebraska Hotel, my companion called my attention to 
a person. I checked up the horses, and observing the person alluded 
to, thought to myself it was John T. Callicott. Knowing the trouble 
about his absence, I felt some interest in identifying him. I began to 
get out of the wagon, but before I had done so, the person commenced 
walking rapidly away, and passing between two buildings on the north 
side of the square, disappeared. My companion in the wagon was Dinc- 
baugh, but I have forgotten the last name. The person supposed to be 
John T. Callicutt was standing, when I first saw him, on the porch of the 
hotel. It was after sundown when I saw him. I am not positive it was 
John T. Callicutt ; but, to the best of my belief, it was he. After- 
ward, a conviction was gradually induced in my mind, by the talk about 
his death, and the circumstances connected with defendant's return, that 
I was mistaken. 

Daniel G. Goodman's deposition : I live in Hawleyville, Iowa. I 
saw John T. Callicutt in August, 1866. After that time I saw a man I 
thought to be he, about a mile below Savannah, Missouri. I was about 
one hundred yards distant from him when I saw him. It was about 
noon. Then, there were three wagons standing near the roadside. I 
drove up to within fifty yards of them. There were several other persons 
with him. They were all seated around the tail-gate of the wagon, 
which they were using as a table, and were eating their dinner. My 



4-00 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

two little brothers were sitting on the rear end of my wagon. I spoke 
to them and said, " What is that ?" They spoke and said, " It is John 
Callicutt." I then drove up within twenty-five yards of them and 
shouted : " Hallo! John Callicutt." He then jumped up, ran behind the 
wagon close to the rear wheel, and began dancing. I then drove on, but 
kept watching him till I had gone about one hundred yards. He then 
went and sat down at the table again. I thought he did not want me to 
see him. I felt certain at the time that the person was John T. Calli- 
cutt. Nothing has since changed my opinion, except the reports of his 
death. 

James B. Goodman : I reside in Hawleyville, Iowa, and am twelve 
years old. I was with Daniel R. Goodman, my uncle, and William 
Goodman, when we saw a person about a mile from Savannah, whom we 
thought to be John T. Callicutt. We approached within fifty or seventy- 
five yards of them (three men) and Uncle Daniel asked us who one of 
them was ? We told him we thought one of them was John T. Callicutt. 
Presently that one jumped up and ran behind the wagon. I think before 
he ran behind the wagon, uncle shouted to him : " Halloo ! John Calli- 
cutt." The party addressed then commenced dancing and kept looking 
at us over the wheel. We were within thirty-five yards of him. From 
his size and manner of acting, I thought it was John T. Callicutt. 

William Goodman, a lad fourteen years of age, who was with Daniel 
B. Goodman and James E. Goodman, testified in his deposition to the 
same facts as his brother, James E. Goodman. 

Mary E. Spalding's deposition : I live in Hawleyville, Iowa, and was 
acquainted with John T. Callicutt. About the 15th of August, 1866, I 
think it was on the day before he went away with Solomon McAlpin, I 
had a conversation with him at our house. He came there and said he 
was troubled. I asked him on what account. He said he was going 
away to be absent three years ; that he was going to make money, and 
did not care a d — n how he made it ; that he did not intend his mother 
to be fretting after him any longer; that he was a poor, worthless cuss, 
and nobody seemed to care for him ; and that perhaps if he would go off 
and return with plenty of money he might be respected. 

Sarah McAlpin, sworn : The defendant is my son. It was some time 
in the fall — I do not remember the year — defendant and John Callicutt 
went for the apples. It was between sundown and dark when they 
started. My son, Robert, the defendant, and John T. Callicutt were in 
the wagon together, and when they went John T. Callicutt left at our 
house his cloth gaiters and a black jockey hat, but nothing more. He 
directed that the gaiters and hat should be sent to his mother. He wore 
away a pair of boots that belonged to the defendant. The boots were of 
common, coarse leather; the tops were of one piece. The boots had 
been placed in his bed room, and when I came home at night 1 exam- 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 4OI 

ined them. They had been greased. I asked the defendant why he had 
greased them, and he replied because he had sold them to John T. Calli- 
cutt. Defendant returned from his trip for apples on Monday about 4 
o'clock in the afternoon. I saw some blood on the wagon cover, but 
none on the blankets. Defendant told me they killed a pig and threw 

it on the wagon sheet. The blankets were left out that night after his 
return, and it rained on them. Mr. Painter, at the request of the Calli- 
cutts, took the blankets, the hats and the shoes on Wednesday morning 
after the defendant had returned. John T. Callicutt, when he left, had a 
goods box for a mess box. Old Mr. Callicutt called my attention to the 
box, and the name, John Randolph, upon it. About three months before 
they went for the apples John T. Callicuct left a letter at our house for 
his father, and then went to St. Joseph, where he remained about a week. 
I went part way with Mr. Kelley to the funeral in Peoria. When we 
started we passed Callicutt's. John was sitting on the fence. I told him 
not to go for the apples until I returned. He said he thought he would 
not go until I returned, as William R. Callicutt had to collect some 
money for him. On Thursday, after defendant returned, Dr. Saddler and 
Mr. Buckingham came for him to our house. I knew of no difficulty 
existing between John T. Callicutt and defendant at the time they went 
for the apples. The latter was often at our house, visiting the defend- 
ant. Defendant, when he left, wore a soldier's blouse with one .button. 
The button was a large black one, which I had taken off of his father's 
coat, and sewed on the blouse just before he left. On this account I am 
positive as to the appearance of the button. It was stamped with flow- 
ers. Defendant brought home a blouse, but not that one ; he said he 
had exchanged with John T. Callicutt. The wagon sheet hung on the 
front fence for several days, and the blood on it any one passing could 
have seen. 

Cross-examined : It was on Friday we started to Peoria. I only 
went to Ouincy. I came back on Saturday, and the boys started on that 
day, between sundown and dark, for the apples. Defendant had 
worn for about one month the boots which he sold to John T. Callicutt. 
I do not know what kind of a hat Callicutt wore when he left, but 
defendant wore a woolen one. Callicutt wore away a white linen coat, 
but I did not see him have a blouse. Callicutt did not have much money 
when he went away. Defendant had two dollars and a-half, which he 
had received of Callicutt for the boots. Defendant told me that Calli- 
cutt informed him on Sunday night after they left, that he did not intend 
to buy apples ; that he was going to the plains, and come back when he 
got money, but that he might never come back. They went two miles 
that night, and on Sunday to Ulmer's Bridge. There they parted on 
Monday, about ten o'clock in the forenoon. Defendant is twenty-three 
years old, and enlisted in the army in 1862 or 1863. 

26 



402 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

James McAlpin sworn : I am the brother of the defendant. I 
know when he and John T. Callicutt started for the apples. It was on 
Sunday, but the month and year I have forgotten. John Callicutt 
bought a pair of boots from brother Solomon. They were coarse, heavy 
boots ; he left at our house, when he went away, a pair of old gaiters 
and an old jockey hat. The tops of the boots were all of one piece. I 
saw him have the boots on Saturday, the day before he left. He put 
them on. About two or three weeks after they had gone for the apples, 
my brother and I went down into Missouri, and our horses got lost, two 
or three miles south of Mr. Deck's. 

Dr. Mulholland called for the defense : There are from four to five 
cusps on the first and the second molar tooth. When there are three 
cusps on the outer edge of the face, there are generally two on the inner 
edge. After a tooth has been extracted the cavity left in the jawbone 
by its roots will generally close up and disappear by absorption, in from 
three to five months. The rule in respect to the chin bone is, that the 
angles on each side in front, just below the eye-tooth, are equally promi- 
nent on each side. There is a very marked protuberance of the bone 
on the right chinbone of this skeleton. Perhaps not more than one 
person in every hundred has such a one. I have examined about two 
dozen skeleton, but never observed such a protuberance on any of them. 
The cavity in this lower jawbone, where the first molar tooth has been 
extracted, is almost entirely closed. 

William Hurst, sworn : I now live in Andrew County. Was with 
John T. Callicutt three years in the army, and know him well. I cannot 
state positively that I saw him about September I, 1866. On that date 
I was going from Andrew County to Iowa, horseback, and about nine or 
ten miles below Maryville I crossed a slough, and passed two men in a 
spring wagon, at the distance of thirty or forty yards. One of the men 
called out tome, " How are you, Bill Hurst ?" It was my impression at 
the time that the person who thus addressed me was John T. Callicut. 
After passing me, he turned his head and looked back at me. When I 
reached Iowa I learned of his disappearance, and being asked if I had 
seen him, I made the above statements. 

Cross-examined : Callicutt's hair was of a darkish brown, (the hair 
found with the skeleton was of a lightish brown — the color might have 
faded by exposure.) It was about the color of Col. Hepburn's hair. 

VERDICT. 

The jury retired at eleven o'clock, on Friday night, and ;it noon on 
Saturday returned their verdict, finding the defendant " guilty of mur- 
der in the second degree," and fixing his punishment in the penitentiary 
for ten years. In the afternoon, the defendant was arraigned to receive 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 403 

his sentence. He seemed stupefied, and shook his head when asked 'if 
he had anything to say. 

The court then proceeded to pass sentence on him, in substance, as 
follows : 

THE SENTENCE. 

Solomon McAlpin, it now becomes the painful duty of the court to 
pass upon you the sentence of the law. Twelve men, selected alike for 
their honesty and unbiased purpose, acting moreover under the solem- 
nity of their oaths, have sat with patience throughout your protracted 
trial, and heard the testimony for and against you. They have found 
you guilty of murder in the second degree, and fixed the period of 
your imprisonment in the penitentiary. Whether you are guilty of the 
heinous crime charged against you, can be known beyond the possibility 
of a doubt only to yourself and to the Searcher of all hearts. Let me 
say to you there is no human sin, however dark, that may not be par- 
doned, and if you have, indeed, imbrued your hands in the innocent 
blood of your fellow-being and your friend, though you may choose that 
the secret of that crime shall forever rankle unrevealed in your own 
heart, yet I trust you may find repentance, and in God's mercy be for- 
given. 

Your father and mother, and your young wife, all bound to you by 
the strongest chords of affection, having followed you here to stand by 
you in this last desperate crisis of your fortunes, have thus became., 
unwillingly, the painful witnesses of this final spectacle of your infamy. 

It is the sentence of this court, that the sheriff re-conduct you to 
the prison whence you came, that he thence take you under safe conduct 
and deliver you to the warden of the penitentiary of this state, and that 
you be confined therein, at hard labor for the period of ten years. 

By a recent merciful provision of the law, if you continue exem- 
plary in your deportment while there and render perfect obedience to 
all the rules of the prison, when you have served out three-fourths of the 
period for which you have been sentenced, the warden may recommend 
you to the governor who is empowered to discharge you for the remain- 
der of your term. You can gain nothing there by obstinacy or disobe- 
dience. Guard well, then, your conduct, and keep this advice in remem- 
brance. 

TANSEY TRAGEDY. 

14 All murders past, do stand excused in this, — 
And this so sole, and so unmatchable, 
Shall prove a deadly bloodshed hut a jest, 
Exampled by this heinous spectacle." 

One of the most diabolical murders known to the annals of this 
state, was committed in this county near Burr Oak Grove, about the 
1 8th day of August, 1872. 



404 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

On the 20th day of August of that year, as James Griffey was pass- 
ing a mover's wagon on Clear Creek, some four miles southeast of the 
town of Clearmont, in Atchison Township, his attention was attracted 
to the wagon by a peculiar and disagreeable odor which was emitted 
therefrom. He discovered that the wagon had been tecently left, by 
some one, and concluded to examine it and discover, if possible, the 
cause of the terrible stench. On lifting the cover of the wagon, he 
beheld the decomposing bodies of five human beings ; two men, one 
woman, and two small children. 

Shocked, as he was, by this terrible discovery, Mr. Griffey knew 
that the person lately in charge of the wagon, and who had left it stand- 
ing where he had found it, must necessarily know something concerning 
the dead bodi.-s, and being apprehensive that such person had attempted 
to abandon the wagon with its contents, and effect an escape, he at 
once aroused the neighborhood and informed the people that a myste- 
rious crime had been committed in their midst, and that search should 
immediately be instituted to discover, it possible, the perpetrator. 

Parties started to the town of Clearmont, where it w as supposed 
the party lately in charge of the wagon might be found. On their arri- 
val at that place, it was ascertained that a stranger had been there 
having a neckyoke repaired ; that this stranger was at the time some- 
what intoxicated, and that he might still be found in the town. The 
stranger was soon pointed out to those in search, and was immediately 
taken into their custody. 

The news of the awful discovery spread from one to another, until 
the entire population of Clearmont looked and wondered. Business was 
for the time suspended ; hasty inquiries were made on all sides. Citi- 
zens might have been seen hurrying about hither and thither to learn 
the details of the startling transaction. The frightened housewife looked 
in vain into the excited face of her husband to decipher there what had 
happened. Household duties were forgotten. The windows and doors 
of that little village were filled with women and children, while from 
many a threshold the anxious inquiry went forth— "What does this all 
mean ?" 

Quite a number of citizens repaired with the prisoner to the place 
where Mr. Griffey had found the wagon. The prisoner refused to dis- 
close anything upon the subject. On the way from Clearmont, many 
questions were put to him, but he refused to answer or talk about the 
persons found in the wagon. When the part}- reached the spot where 
the wagon stood, they began to look about the grounds surrounding it. 
There they discovered that the prisoner had broken his neck-yoke while 
attempting to cross a ravine. By the side of the wagon lay an ax with 
which he had tried to mend it. While thus looking about, the prisoner 
sprang to get the ax, which lay within a few steps of him, but was pre- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 405 

vented by the timely action of one of his guards. This maneuver 
upon his part broke the spell. 

A coroner's inquest was held, after which the bodies were removed 
from the wagon and buried. 

The enraged citizens now determined to extort from their sullen 
prisoner, some intelligence concerning the bodies found in his wagon. 
A few had favored burying him with the unfortunate ones found in his 
possession ; but it was suggested that all hope of getting a statement 
from him was not exhausted, and the better counsel for the time pre- 
vailed. 

After the last sad rites had been performed for the dead strangers, 
and the day was drawing to a close — a day during which the blood of 
the angered citizens had been greatly excited — a party of men might 
have been seen on Clear Creek adjusting a rope over a limb of one of 
the forest trees which skirt its margin. 

The prisoner was a witness of that proceeding. When the rope was 
properly adjusted, the noose prepared, the prisoner was told to prepare 
for the worst ; that if he had anything to say about the dead people 
found in his wagon, he would have an attentive audience. He still obsti- 
nately refused to answer any questions, or to reveal what, if anything, 
he knew concerning their death. He was then told to step under the 
limb, the noose was placed about his neck, his arms were pinioned, and, 
without further ceremony, his body was suspended in mid-air until his 
life was almost extinct. He was then lowered to the ground and allowed 
to revive sufficiently to talk, when a few leading questions were put to 
him concerning the dead parties. He again refused to divulge anything. 
The rope was again adjusted, and his body suspended. This process 
was continued with solemnity and severity, until the prisoner signified 
his willingness to tell what he knew about the matter. 

The rope swung loosely from the limb, all parties drew near, and he 
was told to proceed with his statement. 

The prisoner said that his name was Osburn ; that the parties found 
in his wagon were Ormes, his wife, and their two little children, and a 
man by the name of Daniel Dickerson. He stated that all of these par- 
ties had been killed several days prior at Holton, in the State of Kansas, 
by a man named Joseph Williams ; that the cause of the murder grew 
out of a love affair between Williams and Mrs. Ormes. He stated that 
Williams had followed the family from the State of Minnesota to Kan- 
sas with the avowed purpose of killing them ; that after he had mur- 
dered them, he had employed him, Osburn, to put them out of the way, 
and had paid him the sum of seven hundred dollars to do so. He said 
that he left Holton, Kansas, with the dead bodies, intending to throw 
them into the Missouri River, but was unable to reach a point on the 
river where he could do so unobserved ; that he crossed the Missouri 



4 o6 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

River at White Cloud ferry, traveled through Holt County, and pene- 
trated this county to the point found without finding an opportunity to 
unload them without being detected. He said that he had supplied 
himself with whisky at Quitman, and, to kill his remorse and deaden his 
sensibilities, had drank freely since he left that place, and had thrown 
the money he received of Williams a\va\' by the roadside, between Quit- 
man and the place where the wagon was found. 

This story appeared unreasonable. The prisoner was suspended 
once more by the neck until his life was almost gone. When he recov- 
ered he repeated substantially the same story as first narrated. 

A consultation was held by the parties in charge of the prisoner, in 
which it was decided that there might be some truth in what he had 
told them, in which case it was highly important to effect the arrest of 
Joseph Williams before the news of the discovery reached him at 
Holton, Kansas, where it was presumed he was. To add to the precau- 
tion in this respect it was decided to keep from the public, so far as 
possible, what .the prisoner had told them. Several persons were started 
on the back track, said to have been traveled by the prisoner, to discover 
the truth or falsity of his statements. The sheriff of the county was 
notified to go to Kansas in search of Joseph Williams, while, in the 
meantime, certain persons were delegated to take charge of the pris- 
oner and await developments. 

Many difficulties surrounded those who were left in charge of the 
prisoner. The whole country for miles around was wild with excite- 
ment. It would not do to take the prisoner to Clearmont, or even to 
one of the dwelling houses in the neighborhood, on account of threat- 
ened violence to his person and life. It was imprudent to tell a curious 
and excited public all the facts they had learned from the prisoner ; his 
statement might be disbelieved, and only tend to heighten the great 
danger of his immediate execution. So it was determined to take the 
prisoner into the heavy timber just east of the Nodaway River, and 
there conceal him until the truth or falsity of his statement had been 
ascertained. 

Accordingly, the prisoner was concealed in the Nodaway River 
bottom, the greater part of two nights and one da}-, awaiting the return 
of those who were following his trail. The prisoner was closely guarded, 
and was frequently moved from one bend in the river to another through 
the underbrush, to avoid the threatened violence of the people. 

This action, commendable as it was upon the part of those in 
charge of the prisoner, had a tendency to increase the excitement of the 
people. The news of the murder had traversed the country in every 
direction, and hundreds of people flocked to the scene of excitement. 
Strange rumors were circulated among the throng concerning the action 
of the guards. It was openly asserted by some that the prisoner was a 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 407 

Mason, and that the Free Masons were endeavoring to conceal him and 
shield him from deserved punishment. 

As ridiculous as such an assertion may seem, there were those who 
breathed the breath of life and were said to walk in the image of their 
maker, who actually believed such assertions were true. 

As time rapidly passed the prisoner began to grow apprehensive, 
and on the morning of the second day of his confinement made known 
the falsity of his first statement to his guards. He then acknowledged 
to those immediately in charge of him his guilt, and stated that his only 
reason for making the first statement was to obtain time. He was con- 
scious that the truth would be discovered, and seemed to dread the return 
of the parties from Kansas, who were hourly expected. He desired to be 
taken to some private place, where, sheltered from the fate which now 
seemed inevitable, he might write out his full confession. 

The guard then took the prisoner to the dwelling of William S. 
Lamme, where, in an upstair room, he spent the forenoon in writing 
the details of his dark crime. 

What a pitiful sight ! and how pitiable his condition ! He had sown 
the wind and must reap the whirlwind. The storm was gathering thick 
and fast about him, and must soon break forth with terrible fury over 
his head. 

By noon three or four hundred men from far and near had gathered 
around the dwelling which shut out from view the cool, calculating man- 
slayer. The party had returned from the search upon the prisoner's 
trail. They spoke forth the falsity of his first statement to the public. 
At Burr Oak Grove, some six or seven miles southwest of Quitman, 
they had discovered the camp where the two men, the woman and little 
children had yielded up their lives to satiate the thirst for blood of the 
imprisoned demon. Their statements sent a thrill through that swaying 
mass of people. Not a few were the curses breathed forth and threats 
of immediate and dire vengeance upon the prisoner were heard upon all 
sides. Minutes seemed hours. To those who had been mislead by the 
falsehoods of the prisoner, his promised written confession seemed 
valueless. Calls were made for the murderer to come out and state in 
the presence of the people what he had to say. The prisoner was lead 
out on the front portico of the dwelling, and there, surrounded by some 
of the most resolute citizens to prevent his being killed, then and there, 
in plain, measured tones, he told the multitude how he, alone, had mur- 
dered the five human beings found in his wagon. He there gave his 
name as Alexander Worth Tansey. He stated that he had a wife and 
mother-in-law living near Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa ; that he 
had been in Kansas, and there fell in company with the murdered family ; 
that he was traveling with them to his home in Iowa. He said he was 
out of money., and while in camp at Burr Oak Grove the thought 



408 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

possessed him that he could murder all of the parties with whom he was 
traveling and thus get possession of their property. At the time, he, 
with Daniel Dickerson, was sleeping in the front end of the wagon, 
while Ormes, with his wife and their two children, were sleeping at the . 
rear end. While thus lying in the wagon beside his companion, Dicker- 
son, he drew his revolver and shot a ball threw him, killing him instantly; 
that Ormes then sprang forward and received a ball from his revolver in 
his breast. A hand to hand scuffle ensued, during which both he and 
Ormes fell out of the wagon upon the ground ; that he then struck 
Ormes in the head with the ax and ended his life. About this time Mrs. 
Ormes became thoroughly aroused and was screaming for help. To 
stifle her cries he sprang into the wagon, struck her on the head with 
the ax and then cut her throat from ear to ear. He said he then killed 
the two little children in the same way ; that he then proceeded to 
arrange the bodies in the wagon so he could cover them up. He said 
he tried to lift Ormes into the wagon, but being almost exhausted he 
could not succeed. He then took the ax and cut his body into two 
pieces and then put them in. He stated that he alone was guilty of 
the crime and felt that he more than deserved death ; that he only 
wished to see his wife before he died. 

It may here be stated that some of the guard, on learning the facts 
from the prisoner, some time before he made the above statement public, 
had sent to Mount Ayr, Iowa, for his wife, and that the prisoner was 
anxiously expecting her to come to him. 

It would be useless for the historian to attempt to describe the effect 
this statement made upon the crowd that listened to its narration. All 
the doors of the dwelling below had to be closely guarded for some time 
after the prisoner had disappeared from the portico above. Many wanted 
to take him from the house by force and hang him to a tree in the yard, 
but the friends of Mr. Lamme and his family, in unmeasured terms, 
denounced such action as rash and not to be thought of. Towards even- 
ing the excitement seemed to abate to some degree, and the officers of 
Atchison Township took charge of Tansey and removed him to Clear- ♦ 
mont, en route for Maryville. But the people were so incensed at the 
atrocity of the crime, which certainly has never been exceeded in the 
West, except by the Bender tragedies, that they rose en masse and took 
him from the officers and hanged him to a tree on Clear Creek, just south 
of the beautiful village of Clearmont. 

Thus was expiated one of the foulest murders that ever occurred in 
the state. The people of Atchison Township and the county at large 
are as law-abiding a people as can be found in Missouri, but this atro- 
cious deed seemed to transcend human endurance, and an outraged peo- 
ple meted out swift justice. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 409 

The bodies of the unfortunate innocent murdered people were sadly 
buried in a land of strangers to them. A subscription was raised, and a 
tablet, with an appropriate inscription, was erected over their graves. 

After Tansey was dead his head was severed from his body, and was 
conveyed to Maryville, where it was preserved for some time in alcohol. 
A negative was taken of his head, from which many photographs were 
taken, that were said, looked quite natural. Afterwards the head was 
sent to the city of New York for dissection. His body was buried near 
the tree where he was hanged. 

Some days after his execution Mrs. Tansey came to Clearmont from 
Mount Ayr, Iowa. She was kindly received by the people, but when 
she learned the character of the crime committed by her late husband, 
she stated that she would leave him where a just vengeance had con- 
signed him, and returned to her home at Mount Ayr, Iowa. 

Description of Tansey : Alexander Worth Tansey was about forty 
years of age ; about five feet four inches in height ; his weight was about 
one hundred and thirty-five or forty pounds. His head was the most 
prominent feature of his general make-up — it was quite large for a man 
of his size, and strange to say, to all appearances, seemed reasonably 
well balanced. His forehead was of medium height, square, and pre- 
sented a deep, thoughtful appearance. His mouth was small and lips 
thin. His eyes were black, keen and restless. His hair and chin whis- 
kers were black. His complexion was a swarthy brown or Mexican tint. 
Upon the whole, there was naught in his general appearance which Avould 
at once indicate such animal instincts as he surely possessed. His con- 
versation was fluent, voice low, and his general demeanor evinced much 
travel and experience. But little is known of his past history. He was 
a man of great firmness and much nerve. 

THE ASSASSINATION OF NICHOLAS LEEHMER. 

• 

Few homicides in Nodaway County have been perpetrated from 
more unaccountable motives or been attended with circumstances of 
deeper mystery than the murder of Nicholas Leehmer. 

He was a German by birth, and, with his wife Eva Betta, and an 
only child a son, David, removed from Buffalo, New York, to the State 
of Illinois, in the year 1865. Subsequently, the family went to St. Joseph, 
Missouri, and, in the latter part of the year 1870, they moved from that 
city to Maryville, in Nodaway County. In this last place they resided 
one year, and then changed their residence to the country — first locating 
near Platte River, in the eastern part of the county, and afterwards set- 
tling upon an eighty acre tract of land in the Nodaway River valley. 
This land was the north half of the southwest quarter of section No. 36, 
in township No. 64, of range No. IJ, about one mile southwest of the 



410 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

residence of Anderson Cameron, where they still lived at the time of 
the tragic death of Nicholas Leehmer. 

On their removal from Buffalo, they were accompanied by a young 
man, likewise a German, by the name of Martin Fluegal. Mrs. Leehmer 
had known him from his early boyhood. He was at the time of his 
tried, hereinafter detailed, about thirty years of age. He was of com- 
manding personelle, being nearly six feet erect in stature, of dark com- 
plexion, regular features and of quiet unobtrusive manner. There was 
little of the emotional in his disposition. He was a fine type of the 
stolid German temperament. He seemed to have been greatly attached 
to the Leehmer family. He first left Illinois and was followed*by them 
to St. Joseph, where he lived with them about a month. During their 
stay in Maryville, he was a boarder in their house. In 1871, his father 
and mother, an aged couple, came from Buffalo to Nodaway County and 
purchased a farm, and Martin went to live with them. Shortly afterwards, 
Nicholas Leehmer bought the land we have described. It lay contiguous 
to the Fluegal farm on the west. During the stay of the Leehmers in 
Nodaway County, John Sweitzer and his wife, Mary, the latter a sister 
of Mrs. Leehmer, lived in Maryville. 

Martin's father died some time in the year 1873. After this event, 
Martin boarded part of the time with the Leehmers. At the time of 
the death of Nicholas Leehmer, however, he was living with his mother, 
near the Sweitzers, in Maryville. The house they occupied contained 
but one room, and was situated a short distance south of what is now 
called the Maryville Hotel. 

At the time of his death, Nicholas Leehmer lived in a small, one- 
story frame dwelling, containing only two rooms. The house stood 
lengthwise east and west, near the north line and northwest corner of 
the east forty acres of his farm. It was surrounded by an enclosure 
containing a few acres. From the west room, the only outer door of the 
house opened toward the south. On the last Thursday preceding the date 
of his death, Nicholas Leehmer brought his wife to Maryville to visit her 
sister, Mrs. Mary Sweitzer. He returned home that day, promising to 
come back again on the Tuesday following, to take his wife home. On 
Sunday, March 8, 1874, the boy, David Leehmer, left his father at home 
at 8:30 o'clock a. m., and started to Maryville, where he arrived about 
noon. John Sweitzer and wife, Martin Fluegal and Mrs. Leehmer and 
David dined that day at the residence of the Sweitzers. Immediately 
after dinner Martin went to his mother's. David Leehmer's mother 
endeavored to induce him to return home Sunday afternoon, but his aunt, 
Mrs. Sweitzer, prevailed on her to allow him to remain with them Sunday 
night. Martin Fluegal was s/en at two o'clock in the afternoon of that 
day at the brewery, half a mile south of Maryville, then owned by Wm. 
Guller. He left there a little while before sundown. He admitted that 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 41 I 

he rode out west of Maryville, on the road going to Anderson Camer- 
on's, but stated that he had been out to Wm. Bosley's, who lived half a 
mile northeast of Nicholas Leehmer's, on the preceding Saturday to 
collect some money due him from Mr. Bosley ; that he had stopped on 
his return about two miles west of Maryville, when he dropped his 
pocketbook. This pocketbook he first missed on Sunday, at the brewery 
when he went to pay for his beer, and that he went west two miles Sun- 
day evening to get it. 

On Sunday, March 8, 1874, Nicholas Leehmer was observed at home 
at different times during the day. He was last seen alive just at sun- 
down of that day, by his nearest neighbor, Mr. Green Cameron. Sunday 
night was clamp and somewhat cloudy. There was no moonlight. The 
roads were muddy and freezing slightly. Between 9 and 10 o'clock of 
that night a single report of some kind of firearms was heard in the 
direction of the house of Nicholas Leehmer. Five or six parties, coming 
from the church at Valley school house, a mile and three-quarters south- 
east from Leehmer's, heard the shot. The neighbors living southwest 
and north of Mr. Leehmer's house likewise heard it. The concurrent 
evidence of these witnesses established the fact beyond doubt that the 
report came from the house of Leehmer. Shortly after this report was 
heard, a horseman was seen galloping past the residence of Anderson 
Cameron, who lived on the road leading from Leehmer's house to Mary- 
ville. The night was dark and the witness could not identify the strange 
horseman. 

On Monday morning, March 9th, a neighbor called at the Leehmer 
house on business, about 9 o'clock A. M. The door was slightly ajar. 
The dog jumped at him near the house. A little lamb put its head out 
through the partly opened door ; the witness thrust it back and closed 
the door. He supposed the family were absent visiting. Other parties 
passed near the house on Monday. The cattle were lowing for feed, and 
all appearances indicated the absence of the proprietors. On Monday at 
twilight Mrs. Leehmer and her son, David, who was about thirteen years 
old, returned from Maryville to their home. They found the door closed. 
They opened it. The lamb jumped out as they entered. The room was 
dark. Mrs. Leehmer, supposing her husband had retired to sleep, felt 
for his head upon the pillow of the bed which stood in the northwest 
corner of the west room. Her hand touched his forehead — it was icy 
cold. Nicholas Leehmer was dead ! She immediately dispatched her 
son to alarm the neighbors. A large 'number speedily gathered there. 
They found the deceased lying on his back in the bed. A red coverlet 
was drawn over him — a pillow lay upon his heart. His arms were 
straightened down and pressed upon his sides. He had on a shirt and a 
short woolen jacket. His drawers were rolled up and thrust between 
his lower limbs as if to gather the blood. His pantaloons and other cloth- 



412 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

ing were hanging on the bedpost. A hole appeared in his shirt, near the 
left side, in front. Around this hole was a distinct appearance of powder- 
burn. 

On removing the shirt, a gunshot wound was discovered three 
inches below and two inches to the right of the left nipple. It was- 
probed to the depth of twelve inches. The ball had sped downward, 
passing through the stomach, duodenum and aorta. He could not have 
survived more than ten minutes after receiving the wound. The blood 
had flowed freely, saturating the thin undress just beneath the wound, 
and settling in a large pool on the floor below. A few inches east of 
the bed, a blood-stain as large as a hat-crown was found, and close to it 
appeared the print of a human foot in blood stain. It had been made 
by a bare foot. Near the door, in the middle of the south side of the 
room, began a train of blood — specks which extended to near the bed. 
Near the partition door opening from the west room into the east room 
was found a large spot of blood. Close beside the cupboard in the 
southwest corner of the east room on the floor were two small spots of 
blood. No firearm or weapon of any kind except the table-knives was 
found in the house. Death could not have resulted from any suicidal act. 

The deceased had no money before his death. There was no evi- 
dence of any struggle with a foe. The facts disclosed indicated that 
some person, actuated by motives of malice only, had approached the 
house under cover of the night, and called the deceased up from his bed. 
As he opened the door the assassin, perhaps sitting on his horse, fired 
the deadly shot. His victim, no doubt, leaving the door unshut, ran into 
the east room to the cupboard, with the intention either to escape further 
harm or to procure a knife with which to defend himself. Instantly 
becoming faint from his wound, he escaped to the bed, standing beside 
which he must have paused a moment, probably, to insure his chances, 
and staunch the blood, then lying down upon the bed, he drew over him 
the coverlet, and in a few minutes was a corpse. 

An inquest was held over the body on Monday night. Martin Flue- 
gal was at once suspected, and on Tuesday evening, the ioth of March, 
he was arrested in Maryville by Henry Nelson, the marshal of the town. 

When taken in charge by the officer, he betrayed no signs of fear. 
On being asked if he did not think it rather a serious affair, he simply 
answered "Yes." He was arrested at his mother's house. The house 
and his person were searched, but no firearms could be found. He made 
no statements tending to commit himself. 

On the 19th of March, 1874, he was indicted for murder in the first 
degree. Mr. Horace M. Jackson was then prosecuting attorney. At 
this term of the court a motion was filed by Major B. K. Davis, who 
defended the prisoner, to quash the indictment. This motion was con- 
sidered by the court at the July term of that year, and sustained. The 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 413 

defect was purely technical. A second indictment for murder in the 
same degree was prepared against him July 15, 1874, to which he entered 
a plea of not guilty. The trial commenced in two days afterwards, and 
lasted till July 21st, when the jury brought in a verdict, after being out a 
short time, finding the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree. 
When this verdict was read, the defendant displayed little outward emo- 
tion — a slight pallor overspread his features. He was a stoic by 
nature. 

A motion for a new trial was filed by Major Davis July 24. This 
motion the court took under advisement to September 9th, following, at 
which time an adjourned term was held. His honor, Judge Henry S. 
Kelley, was then on the bench. After careful deliberation, he sustained 
the motion. The evidence, though it pointed strongly to the defend- 
ant as the guilty perpetrator of the crime, was yet not of that indu- 
bitable and conclusive character which the law required before it 
declared the life of the defendant forfeited. Public sentiment during 
his trial had been strongly against him. Many expected, after his con- 
viction, that he would make confession of the murder before the time 
for considering the motion for a new trial should arrive. In this they 
were disappointed. No admission of guilt escaped his lips. On the 
contrary, he stoutly maintained his innocence with great apparent sin- 
cerity. During his imprisonment his conduct had been unexception- 
able, and after his conviction up to the time a new trial was granted 
him, a period of fifty days, his fortitude was of the most remarkable 
kind, and created among his friends strong sympathy in his behalf. 

His second trial commenced March 24, 1875. A new prosecuting 
attorney had been elected — Mr. Cyrus A. Anthony. He was assisted, 
on the part of the state, by Mr. Horace M. Jackson. 

Strenuous efforts were now being made by the friends of the 
accused. Mr. Lafayette Dawson and Mr. John Edwards were retained to 
assist Major B. K. Davis in the defense. The trial was conducted with 
great energy and earnestness on both sides. Much interest was mani- 
fested in its issue by the public. 

In addition to the facts already detailed in relation to the murder, 
it was proved by the state that on Tuesday morning, after the killing, a 
horse had been hitched near the northeast corner of the fence enclosing 
the lot around Leehmer's house. The tracks of this horse showed he 
had been newly shod. 

These tracks were followed. They lead in a southeasterly direction 
from Leehmer's house, then northward and out at a gate belonging to 
Anderson Cameron. The same kind of tracks appeared in the road 
leading eastward toward Maryville, next Mr. Cameron's house. 

In December, 1873, defendant had a quarrel with deceased about 
some corn rows, and claimed deceased had stolen part of his corn. He 



414 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

then threatened to " shut off the wind" of deceased, but expressed him- 
self as afraid to do so on account of the law. 

In the spring of 1872, he had been heard to say he would shoot 
Leehmer's heart out. Once he had interfered to prevent Leehmer from 
beating his wife. It was attempted to be shown that defendant and 
Mrs. Eva Betta Leehmer were improperly intimate. 

A coat was found, in the spring of 1875, a little west of White Cloud 
Creek, on the road leading from Anderson Cameron's to Maryville. 
Several witnesses testified their belief that it was defendant's coat. It 
was a brown woolen coat, much soiled by long exposure, and had blots 
on it feintly resembling old blood stains. 

Defendant had been heard, a short time prior to the commission of 
the homicide, negotiating the purchase of a pistol. His horse was 
bespattered with mud as it stood in his stable in Maryville on Monday 
morning after the murder. 

A large blood stain was found on his saddle blanket. It appeared 
to be the print of a bloody hand. The blanket was examined on the 
day of his arrest. It was also proved that defendant's sorrel horse, which 
he usually rode, was accustomed to go in a lope rather than in a trot, 
and that he had been shod with new shoes March 1, 1874. The state- 
ment made by defendant that he had been out to John Clark's, near 
Leehmer's, on Saturday, March 7, was shown to be untrue. He was not 
at Clark's till Monday, March 9. William Bosley also denied seeing 
him on Saturday, the 7th of March. 

On the other hand the defense offered evidence to show that defend- 
ant and deceased had been on friendly terms after the happening of the 
difficulties shown by the state. Mrs. Leehmer, about five months before 
this last trial, married a man named Hertzberger. She showed no attach- 
ment for defendant after his arrest. Her intimacy with defendant she 
positively denied. Another coat, similar to the one produced by the 
state, was introduced in evidence, and shown never to have been lost by 
defendant. It was proved that numerous herders, or cow boys, while 
tending their cattle in the valley of the White Cloud Creek, were accus- 
tomed to use old coats while camping out, and that they sometimes cast 
away on the plains. About the month of May, 1874, Judge Samuel 
Kennedy found an old coat near where the witness for the state said they 
had picked up this coat, offered in evidence by the state. The coat seen 
by Judge Kennedy lay about on the prairids for a long time, and was 
very similar to the coat offered in evidence by the state. Mary Fluegal, 
the mother of defendant, swore positively that Martin came home at 
eight o'clock on Sunday night, March 8, 1874, and that he slept all night 
in the single room occupied by them. A respectable witness in Mary- 
ville called on Martin about five o'clock on Monday morning, the 8th of 
March, and conversed with him, asking him for a loan of some hay. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 41 5 

Witness then went to Martin's stable and found his horses all there in 
good condition. A skillful tailor measured the old coat offered in evi- 
dence by the state, and also the person of this defendant, and pronounced 
the coat entirely too small. Defendant attempted to try on this coat in 
the presence of the jury, and gave ocular demonstration to them that 
it was many sizes too small. 

Several physicians testified as to the impossibility of determining 
whether the blotches on the old coat were blood stains ; much less could 
they say that they were stains made by human blood. 

After the close of the evidence the case was argued at length on 
both sides. After the close of the arguments, the jury, after being out 
about forty-eight hours, announced to the court that they could not 
agree, and were therefore discharged. Nine of them were in favor of 
acquittal, and three were willing to render a verdict of guilty of murder 
in the second degree. 

The defendant had now been imprisoned a year and twenty-three 
days. The prospect of the further continuance of his incarceration ; the 
uncertainty of the issue of a third trial ; the anxiety he must endure in 
the interim, and the earnest persuasion of his friends after the failure of 
the jury to agree this last time, induced the defendant to consent to 
to enter a plea of guilty in the case to manslaughter in the second 
degree, which the law permitted him to do under an indictment for 
murder in the first degree. This plea was accordingly entered April 2, 
1875, and the defendant was sentenced to imprisonment in the peniten- 
tiary for a term of five years. 

He served out three-fourths of his time, as fixed by the sentence, 
and was then pardoned by the governor for the remainder of the time, 
the law of this state permitting such pardon in case the defendant 
deports himself correctly during three-fourths of the period for which 
he is sentenced. 

Av REMARKABLE CASE OF INFANTICIDE. 

On the evening of the 21st day of April, 1877, during the hour of 
twilight, Master F. M. Sharp, a lad about the age of twelve years, who 
resided with his parents in the town of Maryville, Missouri, near the 
Valley House, while engaged in playing at his home, missed his pet 
rabbit. After having searched every nook and corner in the house in 
the vain hunt for his rabbit, he finally concluded that the object of his 
search might be found under the house. So believing he continued 
there his explorations. While upon his knees, peering about in quest of 
the animal, he saw, as he thought, a bundle of rags, but upon taking hold 
of it and examining it more closely, he found to his great astonishment, 
that the supposed bundle of rags contained the body of an infant child, 
which had apparently been dead about four weeks. 



416 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Its lower limbs and body were wrapped with raw cotton and rags, 
while over all was fastened a portion of bedticking and a flour sack. The 
face was bare around the nose and mouth. The eyes were open and the 
mouth closed. Stains of blood were observed upon its right shoulder 
and right ear, under which and over the jugular vein was a small incised 
wound. Its neck presented a livid hue, evidencing that strangulation 
had been produced by the ruthless grasp of a brutal hand. Every 
appearance indicated that the little waif had been foully murdered by 
some one who was not humane enough to give it even the semblance of 
a Christian burial. The tattered and faded habiliments which partially 
concealed its nudity, bespoke the extreme poverty of its parentage, and 
its diminutive proportions and delicate form showed that its existence 
here had been but brief — its lamp of life being scarcely lighted ere it was 
extinguished forever. 

Whence came this atom, this speck of humanity, which had hither- 
ward drifted and found an accidental lodgment ? What cruel hand had 
done the deed ? Who was the mother with heart so adamantine and 
soul so bereft of motherly instinct, that could thus destroy and abandon 
her own offspring? These were the questions which propounded them- 
selves to the horror-stricken persons who had gathered there in the 
gloaming immediately after the discovery of the child. 

About a month previously to the facts above narrated, the house 
under which the dead body was found had been occupied by a family 
who had lived there until the 25th of March. With this family resided a 
woman, whose name was Nancy Cornell. She was handsome, thirty-one 
years of age and unmarried. Suspicion at once pointed to her as the 
probable mother of the child and perpetrator of the dark deed. She was 
arrested and taken before Stephen Morehouse, a justice of the peace, 
where she had a preliminary examination. At this trial she made a con- 
fession, acknowledging herself to be the mother of the child, but impli- 
cating another party as the murderer. 

At the June term of the Circuit Court she was indicted, tried and 
convicted for the murder of her child, and sentenced to the penitentiary 
for ten years. While incarcerated in the jail, she made another con- 
fession or statement, full\- exonorating the party whom she had implicated 
in her previous confession, and taking the entire responsibility upon her- 
self. The second confession or statement made by her (wherein it was 
believed, at the time, that she had given the facts in the case), is substan- 
tially as follows : 

"I make this statement before God. The child was mine. It was 
born on Thursday in the forenoon, when I was alone. I murdered it by 
choking it, about one minute after its birth. I concealed it in the bed 
until Sunday morning, when, secreting it under my clothes, I took it out 
just before daylight and put it under the house. 1 laid it on the ground 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 417 

and pushed it under with a stick. Mrs. Snyder was there on the day on 
which the child was born, but not till after its birth. She had sent me 
some medicine. I told her that I had been chilling. During her visit 
the child was at the foot of the bed, wrapped in cotton, bed-ticking and 
a flour sack. When the child was born, I intended to burn it in the 
stove, but my heart failed me. I was moved to another bed, but kept it 
concealed under my dress. I sent Bill for a pencil, as I wanted to write 
a note to the priest, whom I desired to send me something to eat, and 
wanted Mrs. Snyder to see the priest for me. I belong to the Catholic 
Church, and have made a confession to the priest, since being in jail. I 
was strong enough to walk just after the occurrence, and was only 
deceiving my sister and brother-in-law. When we lived in the Thil 
House, I was able to get up, but feigned illness to conceal my condition, 
The statement made by me before Mr. Dunn was partly false. No one 
has tried to force me to make this statement. Mrs. Snyder told me to 
tell the truth. George Middleton told me to feign insanity, but this I 
could not successfully do." 

The impelling motive to the deed was that of shame, and in her 
desire to conceal from the world the evidences of this shame and 
infamy, she did not hesitate even to commit the crime of murder, her 
victim being the innocent offspring of her own flesh and blood. 

There being two or three persons jointly indicted with Nancy Cor- 
nell, there were several lawyers in the case. The prosecution was con- 
ducted by John Edwards, Esq., who was, at the time of the trial, prose- 
cuting attorney. 

THE HOGAN HOMICIDE AND OTTO SHARP TRIAL. 

On the 9th day of October, 1879, a sad tragedy occurred at Burling- 
ton Junction, in Nodaway County, which gave rise to one of the most 
interesting criminal trials ever conducted in the county. From the 
record of the case we find the facts connected with the homicide were as 
follows : 

On the afternoon of the 8th day of October, 1879, a man by the 
name of Otto Sharp was charged with the commission of a felony — 
forgery — alleged to have been committed that day. The justice (Henry 
F. Barker) issued a state warrant for his arrest and delivered it to John 
O. Adams, who was at that time acting as deputy constable of Lincoln 
Township. Adams, in company with Isaac Weddle, started from Lamar 
Station, for the purpose of arresting Sharp. Soon after their departure, 
the justice learning that Sharp was a dangerous man, and that he would 
not be arrested without great caution and difficulty, in company with P. 
P. Fox, Hiram Fox, James George and one William Brown, also left 
Lamar Station, to join Adams and Weddle in making the arrest. Adams 



41 8 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

and Weddle arrived at Burlington Junction a short time after dark, and 
learned that Sharp was somewhere in the town. They instituted imme- 
diate search for him, and while so doing, they met with Martin Edward 
Hogan, who at that time was a resident of the town, and who had been 
acting in the capacity of constable. Adams informed Hogan of their 
business, and requested him to look out for Sharp and arrest him. Hogan 
joined in the search, and continued with them until midnight, when he 
(Hogan) retired. During the earlier hours of the night, Sharp was 
seen several times at a livery stable owned by the Ball Brothers, in the 
south part of the town, where he made arrangements for a team, stating 
that the Lamar Station men were after him for forgery, and threatened 
to "hurt them," if they attempted to arrest him, and pulled out of his 
pocket a revolver and kissed it. 

Between 12 and 1 o'clock in the night Adams and his men learned 
that Sharp, in companv with Zopher Bull, (one of the stable men), had 
gone from the stable in a buggy, in an eastwardly direction, toward 
Maryville. A portion of the posse of men started in pursuit, while 
Adams and others went to the house of Solomon Scull, where it was 
supposed Sharp would go. This house was in the opposite direction 
from that taken by Sharp and Bull, and about two and a-half miles 
northwest of Burlington Junction. After waiting and watching at Scull's 
for some time, Adams, with two men, started north on the road to 
Lamar Station. At a point one mile north of Scull's they met Sharp 
and Bull. Adams commanded them to halt. They urged forward their 
team, running the buggy against one of the men in pursuit, knocking him 
out of the road, then drove south toward Scull's and Burlington Junction 
at full speed. Adams and his men gave chase. At this point and for 
more than a mile south the road is narrow, heavily timbered on each 
side, and runs along the summits of the bluffs which skirt the west bank 
of the Nodaway River. The constable was unable to overtake the buggy, 
and although he pushed his horse to his fullest speed, Sharp and Bull 
crossed the river and reached Burlington Junction in safety. Here Sharp 
jumped from the buggy and made his escape. 

The parties in search were unwilling to give up the prize. The 
town was again hunted in every direction. Baker and Hiram Fox 
chanced to come upon Sharp who was, at the time, making his way to 
the stable mentioned. Barker again commanded him to halt. Sharp 
drew a revolver, fired two shots at Barker, and then wheeled and fired 
two more shots at Hiram Fox. Barker and Fox retreated toward the 
west, while Sharp passed on in the direction of the stable. Sharp here 
met William Brown, and told him to go and tell Adams and his posse if 
they would go away and let him alone, he would appear before the jus- 
tice the next day, but if they attempted his arrest that night, he would 
kill the man who attempted it. While these incidents were taking 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 419 

place at the stable, Barker went to the room of Hogan, aroused him from 
sleep and informed him that Sharp was in town, telling him, also, of 
what had occurred, and requested him to assist in making the arrest. 
Hogan dressed himself and accompanied Barker to the place where 
Adams and his men were. At this moment Brown came from the 
stable and told what Sharp had said. When Hogan learned where 
Sharp was, he said he could arrest him without any trouble, and imme- 
diately started towards the stable, followed by Adams and Barker. On 
his arrival there, Hogan inquired of James Ball concerning Sharp. He 
was told that Sharp had just gone out of the stable to the east, and not 
to follow him, as he might get hurt. Hogan turned, and while walking 
away from the stable, saw Sharp and called to him to stop, telling him 
that he wanted him. Sharp answered with an oath, " take me !" Three 
shots were then fired in quick succession. Adams and others appeared 
upon the scene and found Hogan and Sharp on the ground, Hogan 
holding Sharp on his back, while Sharp was endeavoring to point a 
.revolver at Hogan's heart. Adams took charge of Sharp and dis- 
armed him. Hogan remarked he was wounded, and requested them to 
send for a doctor. He was carried into the stable some thirty feet dis- 
tant and placed on the office bed, where he remained in a suffering and 
semi-unconscious condition until three o'clock in the afternoon of 
October 9th (the second day), when his brave spirit winged its flight 
beyond this earthly sphere. The wound causing his death was in his 
inner left thigh, the ball passing near the bone downward and outward, 
over the space of about seven inches and severing the sciatic nerve, 
which caused almost immediate paralysis, resulting in death, before 
reaction could be effected. 

On the 19th day of January, 1880, in the Nodaway Circuit Court, 
before H. S. Kelley, judge, Otto Sharp was put upon his trial on an 
indictment charging him with murder in the first degree. The trial 
lasted some eight or ten days, developing the facts above narrated. 
Great interest was manifested in the trial throughout The prosecution 
was conducted by W. W. Ramsay, Prosecuting Attorney of Nodaway 
County, and his law partner, John Edwards, Esq., who presented the 
theory that Sharp had committed a felony, by forging certain time 
checks ; that he was attempting to make his escape and was resisting 
arrest for the commission of such felony ; that any officer or private cit- 
izen had a right to arrest him for such crime, and to use all force that 
might be deemed reasonably necessary for that purpose ; that Sharp wa.s 
conscious of his crime, and that duty demanded his capture ; that Sharp 
should have submitted to the commands of the law, and that his resist- 
ance was without just provocation and highly criminal. 

The defense was conducted by Hon. Lafayette Dawson, Scribner R. 
Beech and L. M. Lane, who adopted the theories — 



420 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

First. That Sharp did not know the object and purpose had in view 
by Hogan at the time, and that he acted in the lawful defense of his 
person. 

Second. That Hogan's death was occasioned by the unskillful 
treatment of the doctor who attended him, rather than from the wound 
received at the hand of Sharp. 

The jury found Sharp guilty of murder in the first degree. 
Motions for a new trial and in arrest of judgment were filed and 
overruled. Otto Sharp was sentenced by the court to be hanged on the 
26th day of March, 1880. The defense were not satisfied with the result. 
The cause was appealed to the Supreme Court, where in the month of 
April, 1880, it was submitted to that court upon briefs, prepared by W. 
W. Ramsay, with Attorney General J. L. Smith, for the State, and by 
Scribner R. Beech and L. M. Lane, for the defendant. 

The decision of the court was awaited with much interest. " Abhor- 
ence of the crime seemed to be giving/ place for compassion for the pris- 
oner." Many were the petitions circulated throughout the country 
addressed to the governor of the state for clemency to be used in case 
the decision of the trial court was affirmed. All but three days of the 
respite were gone, and the sheriff of the county, Henry Toel, was mak- 
ing preparations to carry the death sentence into effect, when the decis- 
ion of the Supreme Court was announced, reversing the judgment of 
conviction, and remanding the cause for re-trial. 

The point of reversal seemed to be, that the trial court had misde- 
fined the word " deliberately " in an instruction to the jury. The word 
had been defined to mean "intentionally, purposely, considerately, there- 
fore, if the defendant formed a design to kill, and was conscious of such 
purpose, it was deliberate ;" whereas, it should have been defined to 
mean, "that which was done in a cool state of the blood." 

At the June term of the Nodaway County Circuit Court, the cause 
again appeared in the trial court. Sharp filed a motion, supported 
by the affidavit of himself and two others, for a change of judges. H. S. 
Kelley granted the motion, and Cyrus A. Anthony was selected to act as 
special judge for the trial of the cause. Sharp then filed his application 
for a change of venue from Nodaway County, alleging that the prejudice 
of the inhabitants was against him. His application was granted and 
the cause transferred to the Atchison County Circuit Court. 

In September, 1880, the cause was again tried at Rock Port, before 
Cyrus A. Anthony, judge, by L. D. Ramsay, Prosecuting Attorney of 
Atchison County, and John F. Lewis for the state, and Scribner R. Beech, 
L. M. Lane and William Herren, for the defense. 

This trial resulted in the acquittal of the defendant, Otto Sharp, 
who, less than one year before, rightfully or wrongfully caused the death 
of Martin Edward Hogan ; who had been once convicted of the crime 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 421 

of murder in the first degree ; whose life and death turned upon so slight 
a pivot as the definition of a single word, was again a free man. 

It is said that a subscription was raised for him after his acquittal in 
Rock Port. He was the first person sentenced to be hanged in Noda- 
way County. 

THE TALBOTT BOYS. 

The first legal execution in Nodaway County took place July 22, 
1 88 1, at Maryville, when Albert P. and Charles E. Talbott suffered the 
extreme penalty of the law for the crime of murdering their own father. 
As this criminal case has awakened such a public interest in this and 
adjoining states, we have compiled a synopsis of the case as part of the 
history of Nodaway County. 

Dr. Perry H. Talbott, who was shot about seven miles south of 
Maryville at his own house, September 18, 1880, was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, February 5. 1827. He received a good education as he 
grew to manhood, and was graduated in 1849 with honor at the Sterling 
Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio. Early the next year he started to 
seek his fortune, and found a home and friends in Northwest Missouri. 
In the year 1852, he joined a throng of gold seekers, then crowding to 
California. The next year he returned to Missouri, and soon after his 
return met Miss Belle McFarland, of Page County, Iowa, and in April, 
1854, the two were united in matrimony. 

Dr. Talbott might be termed a typical man of the border. He was 
fond of cards, and tradition gives him skill in their manipulation. As a 
physician, his reputation spread far and wide, and when the country was 
new and thinly settled, his professional visits extended for miles in 
every direction. Dr. Talbott and his old gray mule are historical fig- 
ures in the annals of Nodaway County. He rapidly accumulated prop- 
erty, and became quite prominent in local politics, representing his 
county in the Legislature during the years of 1856-7. During the war 
he espoused the side of the Union, and was surgeon of the Twenty-fifth 
Missouri Volunteers. 

After the war he again entered the political arena and became an 
aspirant for congressional honors. He was a candidate before different 
conventions, but failed of a nomination. In 1876, he became promi- 
nently identified with the Greenback Labor movement. He was a man 
of more than ordinary ability, and possessed an indomitable will. He 
had a high ambition, but was not devoid of egotism. In person, he was 
tall and of rather commanding appearance, his hair and beard as black- 
as the raven's wing. As a friend and neighbor Dr. Talbott always stood 
high among those who knew him. As a husband and father he seemed 
to lack affection, and his home was the abode of discord. His children 
grew up neglected, no care being given to their temporal welfare or 



4'22 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

moral training. His house was an arsenal of small arms, and the child- 
ren were familiar with their use. 

On September 18, 1880, Dr. Talbott was shot, about nine o'clock at 
nighc at his home, by an assassin from without, through a window 7 . It 
was a calm, beautiful moonlight night, not such an ome as an assassin 
would naturally choose for dark and terrible deeds. Dr. Talbott, with 
some members of his family, had that day been attending the Nodaway 
County fair, and returned home in his buggy about six o'clock, his 
family going home by railway train. When he arrived at home, he 
found a call awaiting him to attend a sick child of a family residing 
some three miles south. He returned about nine o'clock, put up his 
horse, and went into the house. His wife and his son Albert were in 
the room, the rest of the family having retired. He handed Albert a 
copyright of a speech which he was having printed. Mrs. Talbott was 
lying on the bed with her head toward the foot. Albert was sitting by 
the table on the north side of the room, his arm on the window-sill. 
The doctor had taken off his coat, and was sitting on the bed when the 
fatal shot was fired. He was struck in the right breast, the ball passing 
clear through him, drawing blood on the calf of the leg of his wife, and 
striking in the plastering. The ball was a large conical one, and 
weighed an ounce and a half, being large enough to have been dis- 
charged out of a shot-gun. He had his hand up to his breast when the 
ball struck him, and portions of his thumb and middle finger were'shot 
away. The doctor reeled and fell against the bed, exclaiming, " My 
God, Belle, I am shot." 

About ten o'clock, the same evening, Henry Wyatt, a work hand of 
Dr. Talbott's, arrived in Maryville in great haste, after a physician, 
spreading the news that Dr. Talbott had been shot, and that he could 
not live long. Dr. Talbott expressed the opinion to those going to see 
him that he had been shot by some one on account of his political 
opinions. Before his death he called the members of his family about 
him, and bade them all good-bye, retaining his consciousness up to 
Avithin five minutes of his demise, which occurred about two o'clock in 
the afternoon of the next day. After his death, a coroner's jury was 
summoned, when the following testimony of Mrs. Talbott and Albert was 
taken : 

TESTIMONY OF MRS. TALBOTT. 

My name is Belle Talbott. I am wife of deceased ; am forty-seven 
years of age. On the night of the homicide, the deceased, myself, and 
my oldest son, Albert Perry Talbott, were in the room where the Doctor 
was shot. In the room immediately^above us on the second floor, Jennie 
and Angie Talbott, aged respectively eleven and thirteen years, and 
John Talbott and Cicero Talbott, aged ten and eight years, were all 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 423 

sleeping. In room over the kitchen on second floor, Charles Edward 
Talbott, aged sixteen years,- and William Wallace Talbott, aged fourteen 
years, and Henry Wyatt, a work hand, were sleeping. These were all that 
were about the house. Henry Wyatt, Cicero and John had been at home 
all day. The rest of the family had been at the fair. I got home about 
dark from the fair. All the family were at home when I got there. The 
Doctor had just got there. He had eaten his supper and came out to 
the gate and met me. He told me he was going to Whit Leighty's to see 
a sick child. I had come Home on the train. The Doctor had come home 
with the children in the buggy. I got off the train at Arkoe, and walked 
up part of the way, when my son William met me with the buggy. When 
I met the Doctor, as before stated, it was beginning to get a little dark. 
It was about half-past eight when he came home again. When he came 
home, he went into the north room below, and asked Bud (Albert) to 
take his mule to the pasture, which Bud at once did. From the front 
gate to the pasture is about 300 yards. Bud returned in about fifteen 
minutes, and came into the room where the Doctor and I were. , The 
Doctor had gone to the drawer and was reading the copyright for a book 
he had written, and was talking about it while Bud was gone. He had 
put it up before Bud came back ; but when Bud came in, the Doctor 
took it out again and gave it to Bud. Bud sat down by the northwest 
window to read it. The Doctor then walked to the south part of the 
room and sat down on the north side of the bed in front of me. I, at 
that time, was lying on the bed with my clothes on, my feet to the head 
of the bed. The Doctor was talking about this writing of his. He was 
in his shirt sleeves, and was facing the northwest window, the window 
where Bud was sitting. I saw him place his right hand up to his breast, 
and I think he was moving his shirt when I heard the loud report of a 
gun. I saw no flash. I had my face west with the side toward the win- 
dow. The Doctor leaned and started forward, and cried : " My God, 
Belle, I'm shot. Some assassin has been sent here to shoot me." I 
jumped from the bed and caught hold of him. He was about half way 
from where he sat when he was shot and the northeast corner of the 
room when I caught him. He still had his hand up where he was 
wounded and was in a bent condition. Bud at that time ran around in 
front of the Doctor, and ran to get the shot gun which was in the south- 
east corner of the house. The Doctor had not, up to that time, spoken 
to Bud ; but as Bud ran for the gun the Doctor said, " take my revolver, 
too." After this, as I swung the Doctor around to get him onto the bed, 
he said: " Get me on the bed as quick as you can." Bud assisted me 
with the Doctor back to the bed, and then took the shot gun and went 
out. Bud went south into the hall. I heard two shots out of doors 
south of the house after Bud went out. Bud was out but a short time 
until he came in. I saw no one out of doors at an)- time. It was per- 



424 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

fectly light, or good moonlight, the night of the homicide. One could 
see all objects around them when out that night. No one of the family, 
but Bud, saw any one. I don't know that I can think of any one at outs 
with the Doctor. Don't know of his having any difficulty with any one 
lately. Had not heard him speak of any difficulty of any kind. On 
the night of the homicide as soon as Bud came in and set down the gun, 
I sent him after the neighbors, and sent Wyatt after the Doctor. There 
are two shot guns and four revolvers about the house that belong to the 
family. These are all the firearms that I know of. 

TESTIMONY OF ALBERT TALBOTT. 

My age is twenty-one years. I was at home the night of the homi- 
cide. Had been at the fair that day, and got home about half past eight 
o'clock. All of the family were at home when I got there, except the 
Doctor (my father.) I learned he was down to see Leighty's child. I 
remained at home after I got there. The Doctor came home about 
fifteen minutes before nine. The boys were all asleep up stairs. I and 
ma were in the north room below. The Doctor came into the room, 
walked across it, and pulled off his coat, and hung it up on the east 
side of the room. He did not speak to me about putting up his mule, 
but I staid up for that purpose. I went out, put away the mule, and 
came back carrying a saddle, at which time pa was standing on the 
walk just in front of the house. He walked back into the hall, and, I 
think, went into the parlor, for he was standing in the parlor door as I 
came in at the west door with the saddle. There was no light in the 
parlor at that time. I put the saddle down at the east end of the hall, 
and then went into the north room, and sat down between the table and 
northwest window. The Doctor soon came into the room after I had 
been there. Ma was lying on the bed in the north room when I went 
into it, after laying down the saddle. I don't know what the Doctor was 
doing in the parlor door. After he came into the north room, he walked 
up to the drawer and took out a daybook and gave me an envelope, and 
said that it contained a copyright for a book he had written. He then 
went back to the bed, and sat down and was talking to ma. I was read- 
ing the letter. After I had read it, the Doctor got up and pulled off 
his coat, vest and hat, and hung them upon the bureau at the west 
end of the room. He then sat down on the side of the bed and pulled 
off his shoes. I was at that moment putting the copyright in the envel- 
ope when I heard a gun crack. The gun was shot off at the right side 
of me. My right elbow was resting on the window. I did not see the 
flash, but I saw and smelt the smoke. It came into the room. I heard 
the glass fly. The Doctor raised up and started toward me, saying : 
" I'm shot." He took hold of my shoulder. I took hold of him, and 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 425 

he wheeled over towards the southeast corner of the room, to where 
the guns were, and caught hold of a gun, which fell down as he pulled 
at it. I saw he was going to fall, and threw, out my knee and caught 
him. While in this position, I reached and caught the gun. I raised 
pa up and let loose of him. The last I saw of him just then, he 
was staggering towards the bed. I think ma had hold of him. I 
went to open the south door, but failed the first time. Made another 
grab and opened it, and went out into the hall. I heard some 
one jump onto the walk in front of the house. I ran out at the 
west door and looked south, and saw a man running south through 
the yard. I ran southwest some eighteen or twenty feet, and fired at 
the man who was running off. I did not see any gun, if the man had 
one. I only fired one shot. I am sure of that. There was but one load 
in the gun, a load of goose shot. I was standing southwest of the house 
and shot directly south of me. I made examination next day for the 
tracks of the man, but found none. I think the man was of medium 
size, wore dark clothes and had on a black hat. Until he got out of 
sight he was running at full speed in a southeast direction. The orchard 
is sodded with timothy meadow. The land south of the orchard fence is 
sown in rye, and was broken up about three or four weeks ago. The land 
east of the orchard is wheat stubble. A few minutes after the shooting 
George Wyatt and I went down through the orchard to see if I had hit 
him, but could find no trace. That was all the search that night. Some 
five or ten minutes after the shooting I went to Arkoe, which was in the 
same direction the man had ran. I waked up Mr. Turner and told him 
what had happened. I knew at that time he was shot through and 
through, for ma had shown me where the ball had grazed her leg. I 
also went to Mr. Wilson and told him about it. I did not tell them 
about the man's running through the orchard. I simply told him pa was 
shot. I never thought of arousing the people to search for the man. I 
did not think it was necessary. I thought the man I shot at was the 
man who shot father. I never thought at any time during the night 
about having search instituted for the man. 

In accordance with the above testimony, the jury returned a verdict 
that Dr. Talbott had been assassinated by some unknown person. 

From the very first, however, suspicion rested on the family. The 
ball which had passed through the murdered man plainly showed it was 
of rough manufacture, and that the rifles on it had been marked with a 
knife. The actions of the family were also very strange. There had 
been no effort made to arouse the neighbors or to pursue the assassin. 
Even while the doctor lay dying the family seemed almost unconcerned. 
Several other circumstances about the premises indicated that some 
member of the family had perpetrated the deed. The public were thor- 
oughly aroused. The sheriff of the county, Henry Toel, and the prose- 



426 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

euting attorney, W. W. Ramsay, were indefatigable in their exertions to 
■discover a clew to the mystery. 

In the meantime, strange rumors began to reach the public ear from 
the Talbott mansion. The family claimed that the house had been attacked 
by armed men, an entrance had been forced through the door, a battle 
had been fought, revolvers and shotguns had been emptied at short 
range ; but a bullet-hole through Albert's coat, and divers bullet-holes 
in the ceiling and walls, all passing outward, were the only results that 
appeared. After this strange affair, shooting was almost of nightly 
occurrence around the house. The family claimed that some one was 
thirsting for their blood, and reported so to the sheriff, but when protec- 
tion was offered it was refused. 

At this juncture a man named Jonas V. Brighton, who claimed to be 
a United States detective, from Kansas, appeared on the scene, and the 
Talbott boys, whose entire confidence he secured, soon revealed to him 
the fact that they had killed their father. In the meantime the sheriff, 
who had obtained evidence enough independent of Brighton to warrant 
an arrest, with the assistance of William Toel, Hosea Torrence and Nich- 
olas Jones, arrested Mrs. Talbott, the two boys and the hired man, Henry 
Wyatt. The parties offered no resistance, although from Albert there 
were taken two revolvers and a bowie knife, and a revolver from Charles. 
The prisoners were brought to Maryville ; and a preliminary examination 
held October 27-8, 1880, resulted in Albert P. and Charles E. Talbott 
and Henry Wyatt being bound over to answer a charge of murder in the 
first degree, while Mrs. Talbott was held in a bond of $1,000 as being 
accessory. 

The grand jury, at the November term of the Nodaway County 
Court, found a true indictment against Charles E. and Albert P. Talbott 
and Henry Wyatt, but failed to indict Mrs. Belle. Talbctt, and she was 
thereby discharged. 

The trial of this case occupied about ten days, and excited more 
public interest than any other trial that ever took place in Northwest 
Missouri, or perhaps in the state, the leading papers of the state and of 
Chicago, Cincinnati and New York publishing the proceedings almost in 
full. The defense was ably conducted by Lafayette Dawson, Thomas J. 
Johnston and M. G. Moran, who did all that could be done for the pris- 
oners. The prosecuting attorney, W. W. Ramsay, was assisted through- 
out by his partner, John Edwards, and by Scribner R. Beech. 

At the beginning of the trial the defense asked that the cause be 
tried before another judge. The request was granted, and Hon. John C. 
Howell, Judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, was selected. Judge 
Howell conducted the trial throughout in the most impartial manner; 
was sustained in all his rulings, and received from all parties the highest 
encomiums. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 427 

On January 29, 1881, when W. W. Ramsay closed his argument for 
the state, the Judge gave his charge to the jury who withdrew from the 
court room at four o'clock for consultation. In less than two hours court 
was called, and the jury, who had agreed, gave the following verdict : 

"We, the jury, find the defendant Charles E. Talbott, and the 
defendant Albert P. Talbott, guilty of murder in the first degree." 

THE SENTENCE. 

"In the necessary preliminary steps, and in the trial of the cause we 
have now spent almost two weeks. On last evening about seven o'clock 
the case reached a crisis full of solemn and impressive interest. The 
jury returned a verdict of murder in the first degree against the defend- 
ants, and it is now my duty to pronounce th^ judgment of the law in 
pursuance thereof. 

Upon such occasions it is perhaps customary to review briefly the 
history of the trial. This I deem unnecessary under the circumstances 
of this case. Many in this community attended this trial and know the 
history, and by means of the telegraph many abroad also know it. One 
thing, however, I feel that I must say in reference to the attorneys in 
the case. Both the state and these defendants have been well and ably 
represented, and if the issue has gone against them it was not from want 
of faithfulness or lack of eloquence, ability and skill in their behalf on 
the part of those who appeared in their behalf. 

Besides reviewing the history of the case, it is also sometimes cus- 
tomary to strongly animadvert on the conduct of the defendants. That 
example I shall not follow except to say that if the defendants are guilty 
it is a most wicked, dastardly, ungrateful and atrocious crime — almost 
unparalleled in the annals of crime. But in my judgment this is no 
time for speech, but rather for solemn thought and melancholy reflec- 
tion. No doubt the defendants are sufficiently impressed with the 
gravity of the situation. If they are guilty — and they know whether 
they are or not — I can only recommend to them that they heartily repent 
of their crime, and have washed from their souls the foul stain produced 
by this awful violation of human and divine law." 

He then asked each of the defendants respectively if they had any 
legal reason why the judgment of the court should not be pronounced 
against them, to which each responded : " I have ; I am not guilty of 
the charge." His Honor continued : 

"The jury says you are guilty, and therefore it is considered and 
adjudged by the court that you be taken hence to the county jail of 
Nodaway County, and confined therein till the 25th day of March, 1881, 
and that on that day you be taken thence by the sheriff to the place of 



428 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

execution, and that you be hanged by the neck till you be dead, and 
may God have mercy on your souls !" 

No pen can write, no tongue can tell, the awful scene as these words 
were uttered. The Judge broke down, covered his face with his hands, 
and quivered with emotion ; strong men wept, women shrieked. The 
vast multitude present were shaken as if by a tempest. The agony of 
the mother and relatives of the condemned was terrible. Mrs. Talbott 
clung to her boys as if she would not have them torn from her. Albert's 
calmness forsook him. His mother, his affianced, both must be bidden 
farewell, ah ! it was terrible. He wept like an infant. Charles was 
moved, but possessed to a great extent his wonderful composure. His 
fortitude was wonderful. Nothing like it, in one so young, was ever 
before witnessed. At last way was made through the packed mass of 
humanity, and the prisoners conveyed to the jail, followed by hundreds 
of curious spectators. 

There was a motion for a new trial, on a bill of exceptions, and the 
case went to the Supreme Court, where, on April 20, 1881, it was fully 
argued by W. W. Ramsay, for the state, and Thomas J. Johnston and 
Lafayette Dawson, for the defense. The decision of the lower court was 
affirmed, all the judges concurring. 

The Talbott boys were in jail at Savannah when the decision of the 
Supreme Court was communicated to them, but they were soon removed 
to St. Joseph, and placed in the Buchanan County jail for safe keeping. 
They had been there only a few weeks when a scheme was discovered 
to liberate the boys, and they were removed to Savannah, where they 
remained until the middle of May, when they were taken to Maryville 
and placed under a strong guard both day and night. When they were 
removed to Maryville, sheriff Lincoln, of Andrew County, found two 
ingeniously made keys concealed in their cell. The keys were con 
structed of hard wood, and would readily open their cell doors. 

During the whole time after the arrest, the boys showed remarkable 
coolness and fortitude, cqnsidering their youth, Albert being only twenty- 
two and Charles only seventeen years of age. 

Great efforts were made to secure executive clemency, but the gov- 
ernor could only be induced to grant a respite ef the sentence from the 
24th day of June to the 22d day of July, 1881, when the Talbott boys 
suffered the extreme penalty of the law at Maryville, amidst a vast con- 
course of people. 

As we' review this trial which has created such a public interest, it 
may not be improper to note the distinctive features as they appeared 
in a historical light. 

First. The prominence of the individual murdered. Dr. Talbott 
had been a resident of Nodaway County about thirty years. He had 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 429 

earned a wide reputation as a skillful physician, and had accumulated a 
large fortune. 

Second. The crime, a parricide, is one of the deepest dyed known 
to the annals of history. The doctor was also killed in his own home, 
at an early hour of a bright moonlight night, in a thickly settled portion 
of country, while surrounded by members of his own family. 

Third. The defendants were convicted upon admissions and state- 
ments by them made, perhaps inadvertently, at different times to dif- 
ferent parties, and a concatenation of criminating circumstances, all of 
which was verified and strengthened by the testimony of an accomplice 
in the crime. 

Fourth. Henry Wyatt, while jointly indicted with the defendants 
for the murder of the doctor, but had been granted a severance in the 
trial, was introduced by the state and gave the principal testimony, 
detailing all the plots and plans preceding the murder. 

Fifth. An uncle of the boys by marriage, though at the time of the 
homicide residing in Kansas, lent his aid to the state in ferreting out 
the case. 

Sixth. There has never been a case in Missouri where so much 
influence was brought to bear upon the governor to exercise his prerog- 
atives in commuting the sentence pronounced by the court. Leading 
citizens from various portions of the state, and a humanitarian society 
from a neighboring state, all brought influence to bear upon the gov- 
ernor to exercise executive clemency, without avail. 

Seventh. Another feature of this case is the rapidity with which 
the law was enforced. Perhaps history contains few precedents of cases 
of this magnitude where a crime has been committed, the perpetrator 
of the deed arrested, arraigned, tried, the verdict confirmed, and the 
culprits executed within ten months of the commission of the deed. 

In passing this celebrated case into history, an invisible pen seems 
to write on every door post, " In family government it is dangerous to 
leave out the moral element." 



•*-»^^|g^t:^«-* 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

CENTENNIAL ADDRESS BY DR. H. E. ROBINSON. 

OLD SETTLERS TO WHOM PRIZ«S WERE PRESENTED AT BURLINGTON JUNCTION, 1880— 
PRESENTATION OF PRIZES AT THE FAIR OF 1881 — HON. LAFAYETTE DAWSON'S 
ADDRESS. 

Below will be found the Centennial Address of Dr. H. E. Robinson, 
delivered at Maryville, Missouri, July 4, 1876. The doctor is one of the 
oldest, as well as one of the most highly respected citizens of the county. 
His address is replete with historical facts and incidents, relating to the 
early history of the county, and being a carefully prepared and well 
written document, we deem it worthy of preservation : 

Fellow-citizens of Nodaway County : In pursuance of a resolution 
passed by the Congress of the United States, enforced by a proclamation 
by the President, and supplemented by one from the Governor of Mis- 
souri, to the effect that each county should, at its celebration of this 
Centennial Fourth of July, have an historical address delivered, which 
should contain a sketch of the history of the county from its earliest 
times, your committee has seen fit to select him who now stand before 
you to deliver such address. Whether a better choice could not have 
been made, is now too late to determine ; it only remains for him to 
show how faithfully he has endeavored to perform his difficult task, for 
the task of preparing a sketch of this kind, short as it must be, is far 
more difficult than it would have been had more time and a lengthier 
article been possible. And however much this individual effort may fall 
short of completeness, it is sincerely hoped it will be found not lacking 
in truthfulness, in interest, and in evidence of careful research. 

It seems hardly possible when we look around over our broad prai- 
ries and see them dotted with villages and farm houses, everywhere 
teeming with busy life, that but thirty-five years ago they were traversed 
only by their Indian inhabitants and the wild beasts and birds native to 
the soil, save occasionally by the hunter who had strayed for the time 
from his usual haunts. Yet such is the case, for as late as the spring of 
[839 no white man resided in the boundaries of what now constitutes 
Nodaway County. That spring, however, the advance pioneers of civil- 
ization began to push their march forward, and a party composed of Isaac 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 43 1 

and Daniel Hogan, Richard Taylor and Robert M. Stewart crossed the 
Elkhorn and selected claims near the present town of Graham. Isaac 
Hogan remained until he had broken a few acres of ground and planted 
it in corn ; the other members of the party returned to Platte County, 
whence they had come. Robert M. Stewart, at that time a poor friend- 
less boy, working out at days wages, in after years became Governor of 
Missouri and the most highly honored citizen of the Northwest. Although 
the force of circumstances prevented his ever becoming a citizen of our 
county, yet to the day of his death he remembered with enthusiasm the 
beauty of the country upon his first visit here, and always predicted a 
glorious future to the "noble County of Nodaway." 

Late in the fall of 1840, Elijah Bunten, James Bryant and Harvey 
White explored the country along the White Cloud, and took claims. 
In those days all that was necessary to gain a title to land was to cut 
down some trees and start a house, and whether the house was ever 
completed or not, no honorable man would "jump the claim." Bunten 
seems to have been a professional claim taker. He first selected the 
tract of land now owned by Marion Woodward on the White Cloud, 
and made some few improvements. He also took a claim on the Noda- 
way River and on the Florida Creek now owned by Judge Shell. In 
the fall of 1840 he sold his White Cloud claim to Mijamin Byers, and 
built a cabin on his Florida Creek claim. After a year or two Bunten 
sold out and moved to Oregon, engaging in the claim business there. 
He died there in 1869. 

Harvey White, who was a son-in-law of Bunten, took a claim on 
the White Cloud now owned by K. J. Boatwright. He remained there 
for a few years, when he sold out to a man by the name of Gray, and 
removed to Oregon. 

Jim Bryant is said to have been one-fourth Indian, and at any rate 
it is known he would do but little except hunt, trade and drink. He 
built a log cabin in the woods, a little south of where Billy Jones' house 
now stands, and laid claim to all the timber land on the east side of the 
W T hite Cloud, south of the Saunders school house. 

Early in the spring of 1840, Isaac Hogan moved his family from 
Platte County, accompanied by Daniel Hogan, Richard Hogan and wife, 
and Joseph Thompson. R. M. Stewart had presented his claim, made 
the year before, to Thompson, who now commenced to improve it, living 
with Isaac Hogan, as he was a single man. Mrs. Hogan, after her 
arrival here, took a claim on the Little Elkhorn, now owned by W. I. 
Linville. One rainy day Thompson and Mrs. Hogan engaged in a game 
cf cards, and bet their claims on the game. Mrs. Hogan won, and 
Thompson at once set off to look for a new location. He is now resid- 
ing east of the Platte River, and remembers with pleasure those times 
of "Auld Lang Syne." 



432 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Early in the fall of 1841, Lorenzo Dow Vinsonhaler and Harvey 
Dillon found the beautiful Nodaway Valley and took claims therein. 
Dillon selected the land now owned by Lewis Anders, built himself a 
log house, broke and fenced several acres, and planted a lot of apple 
seeds. Several years after he sold out to Finley McCrary, and became 
lost to the sight of his old neighbors. Dow Vinsonhaler laid claim to 
the' land, now owned by Win. Leeper and remained on it for several 
years. He then sold out and accompanied John C. Fremont's party of 
•explorers across the Rocky Mountains. He was with this party during 
their terrible experience in the winter of 1849, when all their mules 
were frozen to death and ten men lost their lives by starvation. Fre- 
mont speaks in glowing terms of the courage and endurance of Mr. 
Vinsonhaler, and says he saved the lives of several of the party by his 
example and encouragement. Mr. Vinsonhaler afterwards settled in 
California, where he died several years ago. 

In the years 1840, '41 and 42, emigration to this county set in with 
considerable rapidity. Among those whose names we remember with 
gratitude and honor as our first settlers, may be mentioned Hiram Hall, 
Colonel I. N. Prather, Burt Whitten, Thomas Adams, John McLain, Wil- 
liam Cock, Daniel Marlin, Wesley Jenkins, Joseph Huff, the Finches, 
Morgans, Groves, J. E. Alexander, John Jackson, the Swearingens, 
Mozingos, Grays, Vinsonhalers, Ephraim Johnson, John Lamar, Corne- 
lius Brackney, Chauncy Dalrymple, Samuel Nash, Joseph Hutson, Isaac 
Cox, James Noffsinger, James Penington, the Blaggs, Frank Conlin, and 
E. S. Stephenson. Many others might be mentioned did time and space 
permit. They may rest assured that their memory will be preserved 
Avith freshness that increases with the lapse of time. 

When our county was first settled, the Indian title to the land had 
only been extinguished about three years, and many familes still roamed 
over their " happy hunting grounds." For by all accounts this part of 
the United States was not surpassed by any in its abundance of game. 
Droves of deer bounded over the prairie or sought the welcome shade 
of the forests that lined the streams ; while immense flocks of wild tur- 
keys roamed through the under brush, and the whirr of the grouse and 
the pigeon was heard on every side. In the winter of 1810-11, the first 
•expedition sent out by John Jacob Astor to found the Northwest Fur 
Company, encamped near the mouth of the Naduet River, or, as we now 
•call it, the Nodaway River, for four months, on account of the excellent 
hunting found there and to the northward ; and, attracted by its fame, 
the celebrated pioneer, Daniel Boone, made his last hunting expedition, 
a the age of eighty-two, into this region of Northwest Missouri. The 
advance of civilization has, of coure, driven away the most of this game, 
although deer have been killed in Nodaway County nearly every year 
even to the present. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 433 

Nodaway County has never been remarkable for its noxious beasts 
and reptiles, although the first settlers found here, occasionally, bears, 
wolves, and rattlesnakes. The latter, indeed, were rather too plentiful 
for comfort, but the constant warfare waged between the descendants ot 
Eve and t!hose of the "Old Serpent," has so thinned the ranks of the 
latter, that when one is found it is considered a curiosity. John Brad- 
bury, an Englishman, who journeyed through this section of our coun- 
try in 1811-12, remarks the almost incredible number of snakes he found 
here in the spring of 181 1, lying in a half torpid state under every flat 
stone and fallen tree. He also speaks of the vast flocks of pigeons he 
noticed at the same time, stating that he killed nearly three hundred 
one morning in a short time with a common fowling piece. 

This whole country of Northwest Missouri, now known as the Platte 
Purchase, comprising some of the most valuable land in the world, was 
occupied by several Indian tribes until 1836, when, by treaty with the 
United States, they ceded the country to the general government, by 
whom it was granted to the State of Missouri. The principal tribes 
occupying here at the time of cession were the Crees, Gros Ventres, 
Iowas, Ottoes, Pawnees, Pottawatomies, Sauks and Shawanees. Fami- 
lies of these tribes continued to live in Nodaway County until 1856, 
and at different times the remnants of tribes, sometimes as many as 
two or three hundred, visited their former haunts, evidently looking with 
wistful eyes upon the paradise they had lost, with no hopes of recovery. 
Tradition seems to indicate that the Indians who last resided here were 
of the Pottawatomie tribe, sadly degraded, a lazy, brawling, whisky- 
drinking class of human beings. For although the law against selling 
whisky to Indians was very stringent, yet they never failed to find some 
one bold enough to brave the terrors of the law, and supply them with 
the much desired " fire water." 

An impression seems to have obtained that Nodaway once formed 
a part of Andrew County. Although there were some grounds for this 
idea, yet, in fact, such was never the case. In 1839, when Buchanan and 
Platte Counties were laid out, comprising the southern portion of the 
lately acquired Platte Purchase, all the territory in said Purchase north 
of Buchanan County was attached to it for civil and military purposes — 
not included within its statute boundaries, nor known by the same name 
— but styled the " territory of Neatawah." All money collected as taxes 
for county purposes in this territory was applied to the purposes of inter- 
nal improvement within said territory. In like manner, when in 1841, 
Andrew County was laid out, its boundaries enclosed the same territory 
as at present, and the territory now called Nodaway County was simply 
attached to it for civil and military purposes, all county taxes collected here 
being applied to internal improvements in this territory. Hence we see that 
Nodaway County was never a part of Andrew County in any real sense. 

28 



434 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

In 1844, the population of this county had increased to about twelve 
hundred souls, and feeling it would be better to have an organization, 
steps were taken to that end. William A. Miller, representative from 
Andrew County, introduced a bill in the Missouri Legislature providing 
for the organization of Nodaway County, which was passed, and on Feb- 
ruary 14, 1845, it was approved by Governor John C. Edwards, as follows: 

" All that portion of territory bounded as follows, viz : Beginning 
in the middle of the main channel of the Nodaway River, opposite the 
line dividing townships 61 and 62 ; thence up the middle of the main 
channel thereof to the mouth of the brook, in what is known by the 
name of Roland Grove ; thence due west to the dividing ridge, dividing 
the waters of the Big Tarkio and Nodaway Rivers ; thence north upon 1 
the top of said dividing ridge to the state line ; thence east with the 
state boundary line to the old western boundary of the state ; thence 
south with the same to the township line dividing townships 61 and 
62 ; thence west with said township line to the place of beginning, is 
hereby organized into a separate and distinct county, to be called and 
known by the name of ' Nodaway.' 

Amos Graham and William M. Sitton, of the County of Andrew, 
and Daniel Hunsucker, of the County of Holt, are hereby appointed 
commissioners to select the permanent seat of justice of said county ; 
said commissioners shall meet at the house of I. N. Prather on the first 
Monday of June next. 

The County Courts of said county, shall be held on the first Mon- 
days of February, May, August and November, and the first meeting of 
said court shall be at the house of I. N. Prather, and shall continue to 
be there held, until the permanent seat of justice is established, unless 
otherwise ordered by the court." 

Governor Edwards appointed Thomas A. Brown, James M. Fulker- 
son and John Lowe, county justices, and Bartlett Curl, sheriff, and they 
met for their first time at Colonel Prather's house on April 7, 1845. 
Their first official performance was to appoint Amos Graham, clerk. 
During this term Green McCafferty was appointed surveyor, and Daniel 
McCarty, assessor, and the townships of Buchanan, Atchison, Hughes, 
White Cloud, and Washington were laid out. Buchanan Township 
included the present townships of Atchison and Lincoln, besides 
extending about twelve miles into the present State of Iowa. Atchison 
Township covered the territory now comprised within Green Township. 
Hughes, White Cloud, and Washington included their present territory, 
besides the present townships of Grant and Jefferson, which were about 
equally divided between White Cloud and Washington. It is said that 
Bartlett Curl wore a beaver hat, perhaps the only one in the county, and 
carried therein his sheriff's office. He was elected sheriff at the first 
general election held in the county after its organization, serving until 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 435 

November, 1848. During the gold excitement he went to the Pacific 
Coast, and at last accounts was living in Oregon, where he had served 
in the Legislature several terms. 

The County Court met again in May, at the White Cloud school 
house, and laid out Polk and Dallas Townships. Polk included her 
present territory and Jackson also, extending to the Gentry County line 
on the east. Dallas covered the present townships of Union, Hopkins 
and Independence, also extending some twelve miles to the northward 
of the present state line. The same term Stephen Jones, of Andrew 
County, was appointed commissioner to locate the seat of justice of 
Nodaway County in place of Amos Graham, the latter having become a 
resident of this county, which forbade his serving in that capacity. The 
commissioners met in June, 1845, as required by the act of organization, 
and after mature deliberation decided upon the southwest quarter of 
section 17, township 64, range 35, as the best location for the seat of 
justice, and at the July term of the Courty Court the following entry 
was made : 

" It is hereby ordered and declared that the seat of justice of Nod- 
away County, Missouri, shall be called and known by the name of 
Maryville." 

This name was given in honor of Mrs. Mary Graham, wife of Amos 
Graham, then, and for fourteen years, the efficient county clerk of Nod- 
away County, and the first white woman who lived within the limits 
of the county seat. 

Mrs. Graham still resides in Maryville, loved and respected by all. 
She has witnessed the manifold changes our county has undergone in 
the past, and it is the sincere wish of all her acquaintances that she may 
be spared to witness still greater changes in the distant future. 

At the' same July term Elhanan Reinhart was appointed assessor, in 
place of Daniel McCarty, and John Jackson treasurer. Mr. Jackson held 
this responsible office for ten years, after which he clung to private life, 
living on his farm, just north of Maryville, until his death, which occurred 
a little over a year ago. 

During the summer of 1845, Green McCafferty, county surveyor, laid 
out the original town of Maryville, assisted by John Jackson, and Thomas 
Baker was appointed commissioner for the sale of the lots. 

In September, the county court met at "Thomas Adams' house by 
the well," said house being the one afterwards owned and lived in by 
William Saunders, and still standing, about one-half mile northwest of 
our court house. During this summer there was considerable emigration 
to Nodaway County and Maryville 

Thomas Adams had a small stock of goods for sale, and James L. 
Ray also kept a little store in a log cabin on the lots now occupied by J. 
E. Alexander. 



43^ HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

All the early settlers in Nodaway County seemed to have chosen 
timbered lands for their homes. They were mostly Kentuckians, with a 
sprinkling of Virginians and Tennesseeans, and they passed by the beau- 
tiful prairie lands of the Platte Purchase to find the timbered country. 
They preferred lands that they must open for culture by the old familiar 
process of clearing and grubbing, to those already cleared and grubbed 
to their hands by a bountiful Providence. Then, also, the prairie was 
under the ban of unhealthiness. Ague, that great scourge of the South 
and West, was supposed to be snuffed in every breeze that bowed the 
tall grass of summer. All countries of great fertility of soil, where the 
vegetable products are unconsumed by stock and allowed to rot where 
they grow, are liable to miasmatic diseases. The chills and fever, which 
overcame Julius Caesar when he was conquering Gaul, were as certain to 
come to the first settlers as their corn ; and Sappington's pills and qui- 
nine were as much daily necessities as bread and meat or whisky bitters. 
All these things conspired to keep the prairie land unsettled, and it was 
not until most of the desirable timber farms had been occupied that the 
open country began to receive the attention of the immigrant. 

At the February (1846) term of the Nodaway County Court, an 
order was made appropriating two hundred and fifty dollars for the pur- 
pose of building a court house in Maryville, and the contract for its 
erection was let on the 7th day of March to Benjamin Sims, and James 
Vaughn was appointed to superintend the work. The following copy of 
the specifications well illustrates the modest ideas of our first settlers: 

" Thirty-two feet long and twenty feet wide, with a partition wall, 
so as to make one room twenty feet long, and the other twelve feet long, 
and each twenty feet wide, all to be of good logs and durable timber. 
Rooms each to be nine feet between floors, and all covered with good 
shingles. Lower floor to be of good oak plank, well seasoned and 
jointed, to be sealed or plastered overhead nine feet from the lower floor. 
One door and window in the small room, and one door and three windows 
m the large room. Windows to be of twelve lights, glass ten by eight, 
and good sash. Doors to be good, strong, plain doors. There shall be 
six good, stone pillars under the sills, one foot above the surface of the 
ground. The whole building to be well chinked and pointed with good 
lime mortar. A good stack chimney in the middle of the partition, so 
as to make a fireplace in each room, to be of good bricks, all to be 
finished in workmanlike style by the first day of September, 1846." 

Lot seventeen, western boundary, was appropriated for this court 
house, being the lot on the southwest corner of Main and Second Streets. 
Although the work of building this court house would not seem possible 
to have been very great, yet it was not completed until October, 1847, 
over one year and a-half after its commencement. The small room was 
then set apart for the clerk's office. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 437 

Some dissatisfaction existed from the first with the choice of loca- 
tion for the seat of justice of Nodaway County, as the southern part of 
the county was first settled, and continued for several years ahead of 
other parts of the county in population. This dissatisfaction led to the 
circulation of a petition, which was presented to the county court in 
December, 1850, praying for the removal of the county seat to a point 
about seven miles south of Maryville. The court, which at this time 
was composed of Joel Hedgpeth, W. J. W. Bickett and Adam Terhune, 
rejected the petition on the ground that it did not contain three-fifths of 
the names on the tax list. This was the last effort of any account 
towards removing the county seat from its present location, and we doubt 
not the last that ever will be made. 

The prosperity of Nodaway County and of Maryville was now a 
firmly fixed fact. The population of the county had increased in the 
five years of its existence from about 1200 to 21 18, notwithstanding the 
gold excitement of 1849 had drawn off hundreds of her citizens. The 
fame of her fertile soil began to spread abroad, and scarcely a day 
passed but the voice of the new-comer was heard in the land. These, 
of course, brought more or less money with them, and all combined to 
make times lively and business brisk. Everybody was happy and con- 
tented, whisky was cheap, and fun and frolic prevailed on every side. 
Fiddlers were in great demand, and we have heard that Uncle Mose 
Stingley and Doc. Ford would lose half their rest rather than disappoint 
any who called upon them to play. 

In the fall of 1852, a small brick office was built in the court house 
square, a little south of the present site of the jail, for the use of the 
county clerk. This remained there until 1868, when it was torn down. 

In July, 1853, an appropriation was made to build the present court 
house, and the plan drawn by James L. Ray was accepted, and he was 
appointed to superintend its erection. In June, 1855, it was accepted 
by the county court, at that time composed of Hiram Elliott, William 
V. Smith and Williams Emerson. 

The total cost of the building was $4,461.32, which presents a strong 
contrast to the little $250 house, thought amply sufficient only about 
eight years before. But the population of the county had increased to 
over 4,000 souls, and the taxable wealth from $22,256, in 1845, to $394,- 
662, in 1855, an increase almost unparalleled in a purely agricultural 
community, and well calculated to lead its beholders to almost imagine 
the millenium was at hand. 

We have now reviewed some of the more important events con- 
nected with the early history of Nodaway County, coming down to the 
year 1855. As this period covers what may be called the "Era of Old 
Settlers," and more time has already been consumed in its recital than 
was aimed, we will close for this time. 



438 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

There is one feature, however, which to neglect would be unpar- 
donable, which Nodawy Count)' has always possessed in a superlative 
degree even from its first settlement, and that is its never failing crop 
of babies. And as I look around upon this vast audience, assembled to 
celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of this glorious repub- 
lic, I see that this peculiar feature still prevails and hundreds of little 
ones laugh and crow at the gathering to-day, who will, we hope, cele- 
brate in like manner long after we, their elders, have passed away. Let 
us resolve from this time forward that our teachings and example shall 
be such that they may look back with pride and say, " Our fathers and 
mothers lent a helping hand in making Nodaway County the banner 
county in the banner state of these grand and powerful United States of 
America." 

OLD SETTLERS TO WHOM PRIZES WERE AWARDED. 

There have never been any distinctive reunions of the old settlers of 
Nodaway County. There have been occasions, however, when these old 
veterans have met in common with others, at the celebration of our 
national holidays, and quite often a day has been set apart during fair 
time, when prizes were awarded to a few of the oldest settlers. These 
have always been occasions redolent of pleasant memories and sacred 
recollections to the gray haired sires who were present. 

Presentation of Prizes at Burlington Junction, 1880: In pioneer life 
there are many dark days, and pioneers suffer privations and endure 
many hardships. But there are always " rifts in the clouds," and many 
a cloud has a "silver lining." Pioneer life often has an abundant fruit- 
age, and the sons of the pioneer often become the " lords of the realm." 

In the year 1880, the citizens of Burlington Junction bethought them- 
selves of the pioneers of the Platte Purchase, and determined to offer to 
the oldest pioneers some slight token of their regard. The awards were 
to be made at the Fourth of July celebration at that place, and were to 
consist of the following : 

First. Silver tea set, to the oldest couple of the pioneer settlers of 
the Platte Purchase, present. 

Second. Silver castor, to the oldest female settler. 

Third. Silver-headed cane, to the oldest male settler. 

We clip the following account of the exercises of the gathering on 
that day of the citizens of Burlington Junction and vicinity from the 
Burlington Juncton Post, of July 10, 1880. After some preliminary 
remarks, the Post says : " The Pioneers of the Platte Purchase found a 
spokesman in Rev. Sunderland, who filled the bill exactly, and gave us 
one of the best short speeches of the occasion. The old settlers prizes 
next came in order, and were presented by Prof. B. A. Dunn. The Pro- 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 439 

fessor stated that it was a mark of American patriotism to pay homage 
to the gray headed fathers and mothers, and cited the fact that the pil- 
grim fathers, and our nation's fathers, whose names were signed to that 
sacred Declaration of Independence, were shown more respect and 
spoken of with more profound reverence than any of the leading men 
of our day. Imbued with this spirit, the people of Burlington Junc- 
tion had tendered a reception to the gray headed sires of Northwest 
Missouri, and had procured some beautiful presents as mementoes of 
the occasion. 

In compliance with the report of the committee on presents, the 
silver tea set to the oldest couple of the pioneer settlers of the Platte 
Purchase was awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Joel Albright, of Nodaway 
County, who came here in 1837 — foity-three years ago. 

The committee reported two ladies, Mrs. Samuel T. Kennedy and 
Mrs. Mary Jackson, who had come to this purchase the same year, 1837, 
and both were awarded a silver castor. 

Two gentlemen, Mr. Benj. R. Holt, of Andrew County, and Mr. 
John Grooms, of Nodaway County, came here in 1835, and both were 
awarded a silver-headed cane. 

The committee on presents reported the following list of pioneers 
present at the celebration and reunion. There were quite a number 
present who did not compete for the presents : 

Joel Albright was born in Gilpen County, North Carolina, July 10, 
1813, and moved to the Platte Purchase in the winter of 1837. His wife, 
Carolina A. Holt, was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in the 
year 1815. They were married in 1832, and moved to the Platte Pur- 
chase in 1837. They have raised seven sons and five daughters, all of 
whom are still living. 

Anderson Cameron was born in West Tennessee in 18 13. Martha 
E. Cameron, his wife, was born in the same state in 1828. They came 
to the Purchase in 1837, and have lived in it ever since. 

Solomon Shell and his wife, Sarah J. Shell, have resided in the Pur- 
chase since 1841. 

E. W. Johnson was born in the territory of Indiana March 20, 1808, 
and was married to Margaret Allen in 1830. She was born in North 
Carolina in 1810. They moved to the Platte Purchase in 1841, settling 
on the farm where they now live, in Lincoln Township, October 14. 

Levi Martin was born in Marion County, Ohio, July 8, 1805. Nancy 
A. Martin, his wife, was born in Pennsylvania March 24, 1809. They 
were married January 16, 1825, and came to the Platte Purchase January 
30, 1840, entering the land where Burlington Junction is located. 

G. B. Cooper was born in Virginia May 4, 18 15. Elizabeth A. 
Cooper, his wife, was born in Indiana in 18 12. They settled in the 
Platte Purchase in 1839, an d are now residents of Maryville, 



440 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Mrs. Samuel Kennedy was born in Clinton County, Missouri, Novem- 
ber 14, 1835, and came with her parents to the Purchase soon after. 

Mrs. Mary Jackson was born in Portage County, Ohio, in 181 2, and 
came to the Purchase in 1833, three years before it was a purchase. 

Sophia Calvin came here in 1838. 

Charity Davis was born in Wood County, Ohio, May 6, 18 18, and 
came to the Platte Purchase in 1841. 

Benj. R. Holt was born in Orange County, North Carolina, on the 
nth day of February, 1813 ; was married in 1840 ; came to Missouri in 
1832 ; moved to the Platte Purchase in the fall of 1835, making a resi- 
dence of forty-five years. Was at the treaty of eight days ; saw it 
made ; saw it signed by General Clark, and saw the Indians sign it, and 
furnished the provisions for General Clark. 

John Grooms was born in Clark County, Kentucky, in 1817, and 
came to the Purchase in 1835. 

J. G. Campbell was born in Joslin County, Kentucky, in 1817, and 
came here in 1836, just before the treaty was made. 

William V. Smith was born in Bedford County, Tennessee, in 18 19, 
and came here in February or March of 1836. 

W. H. Guthrie was born in Boone County, Missouri, in 18 19, and 
came here in 1837. 

J. W. Owens came here in 1837. 

Jacob Bowman, of Platte County, was born in East Tennessee in 
1822, and came to the Purchase in 1839. 

tC. B. W T ilson is a native of North Carolina, and came here in 1838. 

R. Broyles was born in Tennessee in 181 1, and came here in 1840. 

William Dillen was born in Johnston County, Missouri, and came to 
the Purchase in 1838, and to Nodaway County in 1840. 

W. H. Griffith was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1821, and 
came to the Purchase in 1838. 

Presentation of Prizes at the Fair, 188 1 : On Tuesday, the second 
day of the fair, 1881, at Maryville, a silver-headed cane was awarded to 
the pioneer who had resided the greatest length of time, within a radius 
of fifty miles of Maryville, and a china tea set to the pioneer lady who 
had resided the greatest length of time within the same radius of the 
city. 

The cane was given to Mr. Irwin, of Andrew County, who had lived 
continuously for forty-nine years at one place, and the set of china ware 
to Mrs. John Riggin, who had lived three and a-half miles from Savan- 
nah, Andrew County, for forty-three years. The presentation address 
was made by Hon. Lafayette Dawson, who spoke as follows : 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : The task has been assigned 
to me by the association, to present this beautiful set of china ware to 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 441. 

the lady whom the committee selected for that purpose, should be 
entitled to receive it. This committee has reported that Mrs. Riggin, of 
Andrew County, has resided continuously within a radius of fifty miles 
of this place for a period of forty-three years, and that this period of time 
exceeds in its duration the length of residence of any other lady, who 
has laid her claim before the committee. This fact, ladies and gentle- 
men, is suggestive, and furnishes food for reflection. For y-three years 
is a long time, and many, very many now before me, had not been born 
at the time Mrs. Riggin took upon herself the duties of a housewife. The 
Platte Purchase was at that time a howling wilderness. Very few traces 
of civilization were to be found. Yet nature had been lavish in beauti- 
fying the country. I have had a conversation with Mrs. Riggin about 
her early days in Andrew County, and she assures me that forty-three 
years ago, everything then around her early home, assumed a radiance 
and splendor that she had never before seen. When, said she, the spring 
time came, the scenery was absolutely indescribable. Flowers, as full 
and perfect as if they had had the attention of a skilled florist, with all 
their sweet and captivating odors, and with all the variegated charms 
which color and nature could produce, were here in the lap of elegance 
and beauty decorating the smiling groves. The sweet songsters of the 
forest appeared to feel the influence of the genial clime, and in more 
soft and modulated tones warbled their tender notes in unison with love 
and nature. 

This description represents Andrew County as it was when Mrs. Rig- 
gin first looked upon it, robed in primeval beauty. But mighty changes 
have come over the scene. The hand of man has been laid upon the 
forest, and the wild, romantic grandeur of nature succeeded by the arts 
of a civilized people. Mrs. Riggin has for more than forty years shared 
the joys and sorrows of the noble husband who stands by her side. He 
began the world with quite a start. His team consisted of a blind ox 
and muley cow, together with a rickety lynchpin wagon and a wooden 
mouldboard plow, made up his outfit for farming. This outfit he valued 
at five thousand dollars, and his wife, who is now to become the recipi- 
ent of this elegant set of chinaware, at twenty thousand dollars. With 
the outfit alluded to, he and Mrs. Riggin began the great battle of man- 
hood life, and it affords me pleasure to be able to state to you that suc- 
cess has attended them — an ample competency, a beautiful home, a 
happy family of well to do children and unsullied characters are the 
results of their married life. Mrs. Riggin, you will now please accept 
this present as a token of friendship on the part of our people, and as an 
evidence of the gratitude we bear those who battled with the obstacles 
of nature forty years ago and converted a wilderness into a garden." 



442 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



The early pioneers of the county, like the aborigines of the soil, are 
rapidly disappearing. Each succeeding year they are passing to the land 
of shadows — 

"Unblamed through life, lamented in the end." 

A few, however, still abide with us, as the oldest landmarks of Nodaway 
County. Brave hearted men and women ! Golden be the evening twi- 
light of their lives. A few more years of watching and waiting, and they, 
too, will have joined — 

"The innumerable caravan, that moves 
To that mysterious realm where each shall take ' 
His chamber in the silent halls of death." 




CHAPTER XXX. 

AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 

GRAIN-S'lOCK— FRUIT AND GRAPES— NODAWAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHAN- 
ICAL SOCIETY— WHEN ORGANIZED — ITS OFFICERS AND DIREC TORS — LAST t AIR- 
PREMIUM LIST 

The progress of agricultural enterprise in the past quarter of a cen- 
tuary, evident all over our land, in no section has developed more marked 
advancement than that displayed in the present condition of Northwest 
Missouri. 

Nodaway County, in common with others of the earlier settled por- 
tions of the state, enjoyed the advantage of numbering among her orig- 
inal settlers a few men of means, intelligence and enterprise. This fact 
is fully illustrated in the character of some of the earliest attempts at 
improvement to-day extant within her limits. 

Naturally, the first settlements were made in the timbered districts 
of the county, and it was not until a very large proportion of this part of 
the same was settled that the pioneers from the older states, many ftf 
whom had never seen a prairie till their arrival in Missouri, began to 
venture settlement in that, in those days, doubtful region of treeless 
expanse. Indeed, there are to-day living in the county, on well improved 
farms, men who at the period of their first arrival in the county, forty 
years ago, declared the opinion that the timberless prairies would never 
be settled. These now include some of the best improved and most 
desirable sections of the county. 

The cultivation of cleared timber land, with the necessary presence 
of stumps, precluded the application of machinery long after the use of 
the same had become comparatively common in the older settled dis- 
tricts. Slave labor was to some extent employed, and the hoe, an imple- 
ment almost obsolete in this advanced age, was the indispensable means 
of cultivating every crop which required tillage after planting. 

Notwithstanding the comparatively careless character of farming, 
which soon succeeded the first efforts of the pioneers, even in that early 
day, the returns from the agricultural labor were considerable. The 
very fact of the generous soil, so readily responding to the efforts of 
the husbandman, induced this lack of diligence and laborious care in 
farming, which was indeed unnecessary. Men from the older states, 



444 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

who were accustomed in their former homes to manuring and preparing 
for seed, with much scrupulous care, the soil, which they afterwards hoed 
and plowed repeatedly to secure a scanty yield of corn or of some other 
product, soon learned that prairie sod corn, planted in simply upturned 
glebe, without any special subsequent attention, produced crops which, 
in their former homes, would have been regarded as enormous. Many of 
the early settlers of the county, who brought their slaves with them, came 
from districts of Kentucky and Virginia, where hemp was a staple pro- 
duct. The first attempt to introduce the culture of this crop, which was 
soon to become the great staple of Platte, Buchanan, Andrew and other 
counties, proved an unqualified success. 

This success soon induced others to the culture of hemp, and in a 
few years this was recognized as the great staple, and so continued to be 
until the breaking out of the civil war, when in default of slave labor, 
the raising of this product was gradually discontinued. Other commod- 
ities were imported as substitutes, and in a few years the amount raised 
in the Platte Purchase became so insignificant as to be entirely omitted 
in commercial quotations. 

In the palmiest days of hemp-raising but a comparatively small 
amount of wheat was produced in at least one-half of the Platte Pur- 
chase. The rich alluvial soil, fathomless in the depths of its exhaustless 
fecundity, was not so well adapted as the early pioneers thought to the 
yielding of wheat, which at best, commanded no such return as did hemp. 
So insignificant was the quantity raised (excepting in Platte County) 
that a considerable amount of the flour consumed in those days was 
imported. 

Enterprise in the business of farming, in all its varied expressions, 
has, from time to time, been manifested in Nodaway County. All the 
latest appliances of art in the way of machinery for lightening and 
expediting labor are tested, and rejected or adopted on the basis of 
their respective merits, as soon as presented. The spirit of old fogy ism 
on the part of the community is found to exist only in rare and isolated 
cases. 

The county, like all sections, has, to some extent, suffered from 
drouth, but this has, perhaps, been less frequent here than in the con- 
tiguous counties. The soil is of such a character that it retains moist- 
ure with a remarkable tenacity, and the natural drainage is so admirable 
that no portion of the cultivated lands are ever damaged by standing 
water. 

Nodaway County, as we have already stated elsewhere in this work, 
is so well supplied with living streams of pure, good water, and they are so 
well distributed, that the people could not possibly make an improve- 
ment upon the arrangement if they were endowed with the power to 
make a readjustment of the system of streams and water-courses. In 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 445 

fact, nature has so wisely and generously veined the entire surface of the 
county with living streams of water, as to make it convenient to almost 
every quarter section, and where it is not found upon the surface, it can 
be obtained at an average depth of twenty feet. 

Notwithstanding the drouth of 1881, which prevailed to an almost 
unparalleled extent over the entire Union, the crops of Nodaway County 
averaged fully one-half, while the grass crop was as abundant and nutri- 
tious as in any preceding year. 

Besides the terrible consequences resulting from the civil war, Nod- 
away County suffered its full share from the grasshopper scourge of 1866, 
and especially 1875, when the corn crop of two-thirds of the county was 
entirely destroyed. 

Confident in the power of her grand resources, and ever hopeful of 
better days, her people scorned in the hour of their calamity, to solicit 
aid of their more fortunate neighbors, and ultimately triumphed proudly 
over the ills which were poured upon her by malignant fortune. Phcenix 
like, she has risen from the wreck of every calamity more beautiful and 
enduring than ever, and to-day Nodaway County presents to the world 
a spectacle of solid growth and substantial wealth, of which many an 
older and more fortunate county might be justly proud. 

Nodaway County embraces nearly nine hundred square miles, or 
five hundred and fifty-three thousand nine hundred acres It is the 
largest county in the state, excepting Franklin, Howell, Shannon and 
Texas. It is more than two-thirds as large as Rhode Island, and nearly 
one-half the size of Delaware. It has a less number of acres of waste 
land in proportion to its area, and contains more fertile soil than any 
county in the state. 

It is the fifth county in population, Jackson, Buchanan, Jasper and 
St. Louis each having a greater number of inhabitants than Nodaway. 

When we consider the fact that the state is divided into one hundred 
and fourteen counties, and that ninety-five of these counties were organ- 
ized before Nodaway County had an existence, we are prepared to 
appreciate something of its greatness in all that pertains to its growth 
and wonderful prosperity. 

Its agricultural resources can only be estimated by comparing it 
with other counties and other sections of the country. According to 
the United States report for 1880, Nodaway County produced 6,961,556 
bushels of Indian corn, being, in round numbers, 1,300,000 bushels more 
than is accredited to any other county in the state, Johnson being the 
next. 

Illinois, which has for many years enjoyed the reputation of being 
the banner state for the production of corn, has a few counties which 
raise more corn than Nodaway. They are as follows : 



446 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Bushels. 

Champaign 10,132,525 

La Salle 1 1,148,779 

Livingston 1 1,094,043 

McLean 1 1,976,581 

Henry 8,774,002 

Iroquois 8,394,776 

Each of the counties named are older, and have more population 
than Nodaway, excepting Iroquois. Besides, each of these counties 
cultivated a greater number of acres of land in corn than did Nodaway, 
as may be seen in the statement below : 

Acres. 

Champaign '. 263,354 

Livingston 309,3 1 5 

Iroquois 262,178 

La Salle 286,866 

McLean 297, 191 

Henry 211,905 

Nodaway 1 59,580 

Although, not producing as many bushels in the aggregate, Noda- 
way County yielded more corn per acre than any one of these counties. 

The average yield per acre of McLean, which produced 11,976,581 
bushels, was a little more than forty bushels, while the average yield per 
acre of Nodaway County was a little more than forty-three bushels. 
The same number of acres, which were cultivated in corn in McLean 
County, would have produced here 12,779,213 bushels, or 802,632 bushels 
more than the McLean County crop. 

With these figures before us, taken from the last census report of the 
United States, we may confidently assert that in the production of corn 
Nodaway County is the banner county of all the counties, of all the 
states of the Union, and this, too, without any effort on the part of her 
farmers, who have never made the raising of corn a specialty. 

The census further discloses the fact that Nodaway County produced 
more corn than the following states and territories: 

Bus lie Is. 

New Hampshire 1 ,350,248 

Vermont 2,014,271 

Rhode Island 372,967 

California i<993>3 2 5 

Colorado 455,908 

Utah 163,342 

Nevada 12,891 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 447 

Washington Territory 39,183 

Oregon 126,862 

Idaho 16,408 

Montana 5 ,649 

Arizona. 34-74-6 

Aggregate 6,585,800 

Nodaway County produced 6,961,556 bushels. Twelve states and 
territories produced 375,756 bushels less than Nodaway County. 

We might add to the above list the District of Columbia, which pro- 
duced 29,750 bushels, and then have 346,006 bushels in favor of Nodaway 
County, or nearly as many bushels left over as the State of Rhode Island 
produced. 

Pursuing the investigation of the cereals, we find that Nodaway 
County is not only the leading county in the state and country in the 
yielding of corn and in the average number ot bushels per acre, but it 
produces more oats than any other, the county of Montgomery ranking 
second. 

But a few of the farmers, however, if any, rely upon the oat crop as 
one of the staple products of the county. Its cultivation here may be 
considered as one of the necessary incidents of general and successful 
farming, without which the average, thrifty husbandman could not so 
well care for his herds and his flocks. 

Having mentioned some of the cereals, we shall now take up the 
subject of live stock, and proceed to show by the facts that Nodaway 
County stands first among all her sister counties in the number of horses, 
hogs and cattle, and that it ranks fifth in sheep. 

According to the annual report of the State Board of Agriculture 
for 1879, (the latest we could obtain), the two counties containing the 
greatest number of horses were Nodaway and Harrison : 

Nodaway 14,229 

Harrison 10,099 

The counties producing the greatest number of hogs were Nodaway, 
Andrew, Ray, Harrison, Gentry, Jackson and Daviess, as follows : 

Nodaway 85,606 

Andrew 64,903 

Ray 58,462 

Harrison 56,209 

Gentry 55 ,000 

Jackson 53-307 

Daviess , 53. 291 



448 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The Berkshire and Poland China breeds predominate. The farmers 
claim that the Berkshire hog fattens and matures more rapidly than any 
other, and that the Poland China, while longer maturing, is larger after 
it does mature, than other breeds, and weighs more when ready for 
market. 

The three leading counties in the production of cattle were Noda- 
way, Gentry and Harrison : 

Nodaway 55.249 

Gentry 40,000 

Harrison 34.636 

Among the cattle above enumerated, are several hundred short 
horns, of the best blood, imported from Kentucky. The first importa- 
tion of these cattle dates as far back in the history of the county as 1841, 
when Colonel I. N. Prather brought with him six or eight head. He 
afterward brought others to the county, but for a period of many years, 
in fact, until 1865, there were but few short horns in the county. After 
that time a number of farmers turned their attention to raising this 
breed of cattle. They are now annually increasing in number, and but 
a few years will pass before Nodaway County will rank with the foremost 
in raising short horns. 

The leading counties in the production of sheep were Livingston, 
Harrison, Linn, Boone, and Nodaway: 

Livingston 32,268 

Harrison 31 ,609 

Linn 2 9> 2 37 

Boone 28,640 

Nodaway 25,046 

The raising of sheep in the county has never been made an object 
of special attention, by the farmer, until the past two or three years. 
With a little more care and attention in this direction, the number of 
sheep now raised may be more than doubled during the next three 
years, and the county be made to rank first in sheep, as well as first in 
horses, hogs, and cattle. The natural sheep-walks are unsurpassed by 
those of any other county in the state, and the climate is finely adapted 
to their well-being and healthful growth. 

The Merino, Cotswold, and Southdown are all raised, the Merino 
being the most numerous, and the most highly prized for its luxuriant 
and most excellent wool, and the Southdown for its superior mutton. 

It will be seen from the above figures that Nodaway County pro- 
duced 4,130 horses more than the county ranking second ; 20,703 hogs 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 449 

more than the county ranking second; 15,249 cattle more than the 
county ranking second ; 7,222 sheep less than the county ranking first. 

The facts here presented have been compiled from the most reliable 
and authentic sources, and should be carefully pondered by ever citizen 
of the county. 

Such is the Nodaway County ot to-day (1881), and such has been 
its wonderful growth and prosperity in material wealth during the past 
thirty-six years, the brief period of its political existence. To what it may 
attain during the next quarter of a century it is now difficult to imag- 
ine. When its population shall have trebled, and its thousands of acres 
of untilled lands shall have been turned by the plow-share to the sun- 
light of Heaven, then may we understand more fully its capabilities and 
possibilities; then, indeed, will its cattle be found upon a thousand hills, 
and its valleys yield up their increase. 

Agriculture is the oldest and most honorable vocation of civilized 
man, and the farmers of Nodaway have special reasons to be proud of 
their county ; proud, because of its vast and magnificent extent, being 
an empire within itself; proud, because of its natural resources and 
geographical position ; proud, because of its importance to the great 
state of which it forms an integral and conspicuous part ; proud, 
because of its thrift and enterprise, and proud to anticipate the glorious 
future, which will dawn brighter and brighter until Nodaway shall rank 
first amid the one hundred and fourteen counties, which constitute the 
grand old commonwealth of Missouri. 

FRUIT AND GRAPES. 

Twenty years ago it was thought that Nodaway County was unfit for 
the growth and culture of fruit, but the experience of fruit men has dem- 
onstrated the fact that the climate, elevation and soil of the county is as 
well adapted to the successful growing of fruit as other districts located 
in a more southern latitude. It is true that fruit of all varieties do not 
thrive here, nor do they elsewhere in Northwest Missouri, but all varie- 
ties of the hardy kind grow in great abundance and to perfection. 

Mr. T. W. Gaunt, a nurseryman, who has resided near the city of 
Maryville for many years, says: "We planted our first small nursery on 
the farm of our late and much esteemed friend, Colonel Graham, in the 
south part of Maryville, in the spring of 1857, ar) d since that time we have 
added many valuable acquisitions to our fruit list which have given great 
satisfaction by the hardihood and good bearing qualities of the trees. 
We shall continue in a line of progression by introducing from time to 
time the newer kinds of fruit, which, after duly testing, we shall have 
found them worthy of general culture. When we came to Nodaway 
County we were satisfied that if the flat prairies of Illinois would raise 

29 



450 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

an abundance of fruit, as we have seen produced there, the high, dry, 
rolling lands of Northwest Missouri were especially adapted to fruit rais- 
ing, and the many thousands of bushels of fine fruit raised every year on 
the trees we have sold throughout Northwest Missouri and Southern 
Iowa, that are bringing health and wealth to their owners, verify the 
belief we formed a quarter of a century ago." 

There are now between three and five thousand acres in orchards, 
in the county, and these yield bountiful crops of apples, of as fine size, 
color and flavor as can be found almost anywhere. There are some 
varieties of cherries which do well, but the crop of pears, peaches and 
plums is very uncertain, the hard winters usually killing many of the 
peach trees. 

The grape crop, in proportion to the number and extent of the 
vineyards, is very abundant. Many varieties are cultivated with great 
success, notably, the Concord, Isabella and Delaware. The Concord is 
found to be the most prolific and certain bearer, and is disposed of at a 
cost of one and two cents per pound. 

NODAWAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY. 

The people of Nodaway County, feeling the need of a county fair, 
affected a preliminary organization, and issued an eighth-sheet poster, 
announcing that on Saturday, September 30, 1871, an exhibition of stock 
would take place at the stock yards of the National Hotel. The poster 
mentions the following committees : 

To award premiums on horses — S. K. Snively, Col. J. H. Davis and 
W. Snively. 

On cattle — E. S. Stephenson, E. Powell and J. E. Alexander. 

On hogs — Frank Bellows, Col. M. B. W. Harman and Wm. Leeper. 

On sheep — S. T. Kennedy, George Downing and Adelma Stingley. 

On miscellany — G. N. Paige, George Huebeck and John Dean. 

On finance, to raise money for premiums — John Ham, William 
Anderson and A. P. Morehouse. The same committee was appointed 
to arrange premiums. 

It was further determined to meet at the court house in Maryville, 
on Saturday, the 30th of September, at ten A. M., for the purpose of 
effecting a permanent organization, at which time all citizens of Noda- 
way County interested in the object and nature of an association of this 
kind, were requested to be present and participate in a permanent organ- 
ization. It was arranged that all stock for exhibition should be on the 
ground by one o'clock, P. M., on said day. Premiums were to be awarded 
at three o'clock of the same day. The total premiums offered amounted 
to $60.50. John Ham was president, M. G. Roseberry, treasuer, and 
A. C. Case, secretary. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 45 I 

At this preliminary fair the subject was thoroughly discussed in 
reference to effecting a permanent organization, and October 28, 1871, 
the present society was organized with the following officers : A. P. 
Morehouse, President ; William Anderson, Vice President ; I. K. Alder- 
man, Secretary, and John Ham, Treasurer. 

The capital stock was fixed at $6,000, and divided into 300 shares of 
twenty dollars each, 200 shares of which were sold. The stock now 
amounts to about $3,500. The difference between these amounts of 
stock has been taken up by the company, who have issued family tickets 
in lieu thereof to the stockholders. 

The directors for the first year were as follows : M. B. W. Harman, 
Joel Albright, A. P. Morehouse, W. R. McKenzie, G. N. Paige, A. Sting- 
ley, Samuel T. Ware, Thomas L. Marlin, John Ham, William Anderson* 
Samuel T. Kennedy and William Swinford. 

The society started with an indebtedness of $2,500, which has been 
entirely liquidated, and at the close of the fair for 188 1 they had a sur- 
plus in the treasury of $700. They have held ten fairs, every one of 
which has been a success. The first fair was held October 1, 1872, and 
continued four days, the premium's aggregating about $900. The pre- 
miums have been increased in amount from year to year, until they have 
now reached the handsome sum of $4,500. The society has laid out in 
improvements on the fair grounds every year from $800 to $1,500. 
When the society was organized there were no short horns or thorough- 
breds in the county. Nodaway, for all kinds of improved stock, is now 
the banner county of the state. All of this improvement is largely due 
directly or indirectly to the influence of the county fair. 

The benefits of such an organization, when rightly conducted, are 
varied and manifold. The society placed right ideals before the people, 
and by various incentives, calls them to a higher plane of thought and 
action. The best thoughts of the world, the results of much study, exper- 
iment and investigation are transferred from all lands and brought into 
the homes of the people. The premium list covers the whole circle of 
human industries, and every family in the county feels the benefits inci- 
dent to emulation. The gathering of people in masses, and the annual 
display of the best products for examination, comparison and study car- 
ries higher ideals and new thoughts to every home. Farmers discuss 
these matters around the fireside, and their farms begin to show improve- 
ment in every way. Improved breeds of stock are introduced, better 
seed is sown and new cereals tried, improved implements are bought, 
farm houses are constructed on better plans, and the home is furnished 
with many comforts and luxuries which would never have been thought 
of without the fair. 

It may be conceded that conductors of fairs have fallen below the 
true ideals, and have not used all the forces placed in their hands by 



452 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

these organizations for human improvement, but Nodaway County Fair 
has not fallen below the average. It has, on the contrary, been a pow- 
erful means in Nodaway County for the dissemination of those improve- 
ments in agriculture, and new methods of living, which cause the 
American farmer to be admired by the people of many lands. 

Officers for 1872.— Albert P. Morehouse, President ; M. B. W. Har- 
mon, Vice President ; F. C. French, Treasurer ; I. K. Alderman, Secre- 
tary. Directors — Albert P. Morehouse, Joel Albright. F. C. French, John 
Grigsby, Thomas L. Marlin, Edward M. Gardner, George N. Paige, Frank 
Bellows, Adelma Stingley, Samuel P. Kennedy, M. B. W. Harmon and 
John H. Davis. 

1873.— Albert P. Morehouse, President; M. B. W. Harmon, Vice 
President ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer ; C. A. Anthony, Recording 
Secretary ; Knox Jones, Corresponding Secretary. Directors — A. P. 
Morehouse, M. B. W. Harmon, Thomas Marlin, Joel Albright, John 
Grigsby, George N. Paige, Frank Bellows, S. T. Kennedy, Adelma 
Stingley, Thomas H. Brown, John H. Davis, and William Patterson. 

1874. — Same officers. Directors — A. P. Morehouse, Joel Albright, 
Adelma Stingley, Thomas Marlin, Simeon Wright, John H. Davis, 
Henry C. Linnville, Frank Bellows, Samuel T. Kennedy, Martney Skid- 
mire, John Lamar, and Lycurgus Miller. 

1875 and 1876, no record kept. 

1877. — Simeon Wright, President ; S. P. Kennedy, Vice President ; 
A. P. Morehouse, Secretary ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer. Direc- 
tors—A. P. Morehouse, A. Stingley, Frank Bellows, Henry Linnville. 
John Lamar, Simeon Wright, Lycurgus Miller, S. T. Kennedy, Thos. 
H. Brown, I. N. Wray, and Thomas L. Marlin. 

1878. — Same officers. Directors — A. P. Morehouse, A. Stingley, 
Frank Bellows, Henry Linnville, John Lamar, Simeon Wright, Lycurgus 
Miller, S. T. Kennedy, Thomas H. Brown, I. N. Wray, Henry Fleming, 
and John Ham. 

1879, same officers and same directors. 

1880. — Simeon Wright, President ; H. C. Linnville, Vice President ; 
A. P. Morehouse, Secretary ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer. Directors 
— Simeon Wright, S. T. Kennedy, I. N. Wray, Lycurgus Miller, Henry 
Linnville, A. P. Morehouse, M. B. W. Harmon, Adelma Stingley, Thomas 
H. Brown, Thomas H. Marlin, Frank Bellows and John Ham. 

THE LAST FAIR. 

The last fair was opened September 26, 1881, under the most favor- 
able auspices, and continued four days. It was estimated that from 
twelve to fifteen thousand people were in attendance. We give below a 
list of the premiums awarded, and the names of the persons to whom 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 453 

they were given, believing that they will be read with interest by the 
farmers and citizens of the county in the years to come : 

Premiums Awarded. — Stallion four years old and over, J. B. Prather 
first premium, and James Creek, second. 

Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller first premium, and 
B. W. Trullinger, second. 

Stallion two years old and under three, Perry Wilson, first, and Z. 
F. Antrim, second premium. 

Stallion one year old and under two, Thomas Trotter, first premium. 

Mare or gelding four years old or over, to be shown in buggy, J. B. 
Prather, first, and W. G. Johnson, second premium. 

Thoroughbred Horses. — Stallion four years old and over, J. B. 
Prather, first and second premiums. 

Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller, first premium. 

Stallion colt under one year old, B. Farris, first, and J. B. Prather, 
second premium. 

Mare four years old and over, Samuel Williams, first, and James B. 
Prather, second premium. 

Filly three years old and under four, James Craig, Atchison County, 
first premium. 

Filly one year old and under two, B. Farris, first and second 
premiums. 

Filly under one year old, J. B. Prather, first and second premiums. 

Horses for all purposes. — Stallion four years old and over, J. B. 
Prather, first and second premiums. 

Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller, first, and J. Hunt, 
second premium. 

Stallion two years old and under three, Perry Wilson, first, and H. 
N. Kennedy, second premium. 

Stallion one year old and under two, S. M. Trussell, first, and Thomas 
Trotter, second premium. 

Stallion colt under one year old, J. W. Shelton, first, and J. Ever- 
hart, second premium. 

Mare or gelding four years old and over, J. B. Prather, first, and J. 
A. Alexander, second premium. 

Mare or gelding three years old ard under four, R. Craven, first, and 
M. S. Hughes, second premium. 

Mare or gelding two years old and under three, S. T. Kennedy, first, 
and John Asher, second premium. 

Mare or gelding one year old and under two, D. W. Kelley, first, and 
L. Miller, second premium. 

Mare colt under one year old, W. H. Bell, first, and James M. Ste- 
phenson, second premium. 



454 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Short Horn Cattle, Sweepstakes. — Bull, any age, L. Miller, first, and 
J. H. Williams, second premium. 

Cow, any age, L. Miller, first, and Peter Forcade, second premium. 

Herd of cattle, owned by one person, not less than five in number, 
including bull, L. Miller, first premium. 

Herd of cattle owned by one person, not less than five in number, 
under two years old, including bull, W. M. Wright, first, and L. Miller, 
second premium. 

Bull, with five of his calves under one year old, L. Miller, first premium. 

Swine. — Berkshire boar, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, 
first, and L. E. Shattuck, second premium. 

Berkshire boar one year old and under two, T. F. Miller, first, and 
J. B. Prather, second premium. 

Berkshire boar, under one year, L. E. Shattuck, first, and T. F. 
Miller, second premium. 

Berkshire sow, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first, and T. 
F. Miller, second premium. 

Berkshire sow, one year old and under two, L. E. Shattuck, first, 
and T. F. Miller, second premium. 

Berkshire sow, under one year old, L. E. Shattuck, first, and D. C. 
Hurley, second premium. 

Poland China boar, one year old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first 
premium. 

Poland China boar, under one year old, L. F. Miller, first, and D. D. 
Bollinger, second premium. 

Poland China sow, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first 
premium. 

Poland China sow, one year old and under two, W. P. Hayzlett, 
first and second premiums. 

Poland China sow, under one year old, W. P. Hayzlett, first, and T. 
F. Miller, second premium. 

Sweepstakes. — Berkshire boar, any age, L. E. Shattuck, premium. 

Berkshire sow, any age, W. P. Hayzlett, premium. 

Poland China sow, any age, T. F. Miller,, premium. 

General Sweepstakes. — Boar, any age or breed, James B. Prather, 
premium. 

Sow any age or breed, with five of her pigs, under six months old, 
D. C. Hurley, first premium. 

Sheep. — James Caster, of Gentry County, seven ewes, three buck 
lambs, three yearling bucks and one three-year-old buck. 

W. B. Caster, of Gentry County, one yearling Merino buck. 

G. S. E. Vaughn, twelve head of imported Cotswolds, imported from 
Canada ; also two thoroughbred imported Southdown bucks ; also his 
well known Cotswold buck David. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 455 

L. E. Shattuck, twenty head of thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, 
six ram lambs, eight yearling ewes, one two-year-old ewe, three spring 
lambs. 

M. L. Stewart & Bros., of Camp Point, Illinois, twenty-five head of 
imported Cotswold sheep, two head of imported Southdowns and eigh- 
teen head of American Merinos. 

Curg Miller, eight thoroughbred Southdown sheep. 

D. D. Bollinger, of Hopkins, one imported Cotswold ewe, Kate, and 
two Leicester lambs, five months of age. 

F. M. Wallace, of Hopkins, one Cotswold ewe, Daisy, two ewe 
lambs, four months old, two rams four months old, and one ram, three 
months old. 

B. G. Eaton, of Hopkins, eight thoroughbred Cotswold, registered 
sheep, with the famous buck Comet at their head. Comet is three years 
old and his fleece weighed thirty pounds, sheared at the public shearing 
last spring. 

Sheep, fine wools. — Best ram, two years old and over, M. L. Stew- 
art & Brothers, first, and L. E. Shattuck second premiums. 

Best ram, one year old and under two, William Caster, first, and L. 
E. Shattuck second premiums. 

Best ram lamb, L. E. Shattuck, first, and J. Caster second premium. 

Best ewe two years old and over, J. Caster, first and second premiums. 

Best ewe one year old and under two, L. E. Shattuck first, and 
J. Caster second premium. 

Best flock of one ram and five of his get, L. E. Shattuck, first, and 
Stewart & Brothers second premium. 

Middle Wools. — Best ram, two years old and over, L. Miller first 
premium, and G. S. E. Vaughan second premium. 

Best ram, one year and under two, Stewart Bros, first and second 
premiums. 

Best ram lamb, L. Miller. 

Best ewe, two years old and over, L. Miller first and second premiums. 

Best ewe lamb, L. Miller first and second premiums. 

Best flock of one ram and five of his get, L. Miller. 

Long Wools. — Best ram two years old and over, G. S. E. Vaughan 
first, and B. G. Eaton second premium. 

Best ram one year old and under two, B. G. Eaton first, and Stewart 
Bros, second premium. 

Best ram lamb, G. S. E. Vaughan first, and D. D. Bollinger second 
premium. 

Best ewe lamb, G. S. E. Vaughan first, and Stewart Bros, second 
premium. 

Best flock of one ram and five of his get, G. S. E. Vaughan first, 
and Stewart Bros, second premium. 



456 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Miscellaneous. — Best span of mares for farm use, F. Bellows. 

Best walking mare or gelding, R. L. Davis. 

Saddle stallion, Newton Kennedy. 

Saddle mare or gelding, J. A. Forecade. 

Stallion, with five colts under one year old, J. B. Prather. 

Mare, with colt on ground, J. W. Shelton. 

Span of mares in light harness and buggy, W. G. Johnson. 

Best lady equestrienne, Mrs. P. L. Cheney. 

Best equestrienne miss under twelve years, Nelly Hays. 

Equestrian, boy under fifteen years, Milton R. Hays. 

Lady driver, single horse and buggy, Mrs. P. L. Cheney. 

Best lady driver, two horse buggy, Miss Sallie Hutchinson. 

Poultry Premiums. — Awarded by pairs unless otherwise mentioned. 

Light Brahma fowls, C. C. Palmer. 

Dark Brahma, C. C. Palmer. 

Cochin fowls, O. A. Stewart. 

Partridge Cochin, Mrs. Chas. Beal. 

Black Cochin, C. C. Palmer. 

Dominique fowls, Lee Pankey. 

Silver Spangled Hamburg, Lee Pankey. 

White Leghorn, Lee Pankey. 

Brown Leghorn, Lee Pankey. 

Houdan fowls, C. C. Palmer. 

White-crested Blacky Polish, Lee Pankey. 

Plymouth Rock fowls, Claude Briggs. 

Black-breasted Red game fowls, Lee Pankey. 

Irish Gray fowls, Lee Pankey. 

Black-breasted Red game Bantams, C. C. Palmer. 

Golden-laced Sebright Bantam fowls, Arch Edwards. 

White Bantam fowls, Lee Pankey. 

Bronze turkeys, C. C. Palmer. 

White turkeys, Lee Pankey. 

Toulouse geese, C. C. Palmer. 

White China geese, C. C. Palmer. 

Aylesbury ducks, Lee Pankey. 

Muscovy ducks, C. C. Palmer. 

Common Guinea fowls, Lee Pankey. 

Carrier pigeons, Lee Pankey. 

Outside tumblers, Lee Pankey. 

Inside tumblers, Lee Pankey. 

lacobins, Lee Pankey. 

Ring doves, Wilda Weaver. 

Canary birds, Alice Kennedy. 

Chickens, O. A. Stewart. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 457 

Largest and best variety of chickens owned by one person, O. A. 
Stewart. 

Largest and best variety of poultry owned by one person, L. Pankey. 

Agricultural Implements. — In this department premiums were 
awarded best articles as follows : 

Farm gate, Wolf & Vancamp. 

Mower, C. C. Dittmer. 

Pump for farm use, Grundy & Terhune. 

Pump for pumping stock water, Grundy & Terhune. 

Hay loading machine, Grundy & Terhune. 

Two-horse riding cultivator, Grundy & Terhune. 

Self binder, C. C. Dittmer. 

Floral and Art Hall. — Specimen penmanship, H. C. Gilbert. 

Record writing, H. C. Gilbert. 

Pen and ink drawing, H. C. Gilbert. 

Display of stuffed birds, Mrs. H. M. Carver. 

Display of minerals and shells, Mary A. Orear. 

Rustic picture frames, Mrs. D. Andrews. 

Pair hand bouquets, Lucy Jones. 

Display of house plants in pots, Mrs. Bean, first, and Maggie Pierce, 
second. 

Best roses in pots, Mrs. Bean. 

Begonias in pots, Mrs. Bean. 

Geraniums in pots, Mrs. Bean. 

Fuchsias in pots, Mrs. Pierce. 

Vebenas in pots, Mrs. Bean. 

Collection blooming plants, Mrs. Bean. 

Collection ornamental foliage plants, Mrs. Maggie Pierce. 

Hanging basket with plants, Miss Alice Kennedy. 

Collection of green-house plants in bloom, Mrs. Bean. 

Display of photographs, C. W. Briggs. 

Crayon picture, Mrs. Dr. Morrison. 

Best aquarium, Dora Carver. 

Agricultural wreath, Chester Andrews. 

Brush of peacock feathers, Mrs. Burdick. 

Rustic picture, Mrs. Lovett. 

Washing machine, Grundy & Terhune. 

Family knitting machine, O. P. Bogart. 

Specimen marble cutting, W. R. Smiley. 

Specimen stone cutting, W. R. Smiley. 

Pair gent's fine boots, J. McGroarty. 

Pair gent's winter boots, James McGroarty. 

Pair fine shoes, James McGroarty. 

Pair of shoes for winter, James McGroarty. 



45§ HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Display of boots and shoes, James McGroarty. 

Vineyard and Orchard. — Largest display of apples raised by one 
person, Wm. Johnson, first, and H. M. Sharp, second premium. 

Five pounds wine grapes, Wm. Johnson, first, and J. Lieber, second 
premium. 

Grapes for table use, Thomas H. King, first, and Wm. Johnson, sec- 
ond premium. 

Peck of fall apples, H. Sharp, first, and D. M. Vinsonhaler, second 
premium. 

Peck of winter apples, A. Trussell, first, and I. N. Wray, second 
premium. 

Peck of peaches, Charles Allen, first and second premiums. 

Display of plums, Wm. Johnson. 

Display Janet apples, T. F. Miller, first, and H. W. Johnson second 
premium. 

Display of wine-sap apples, Thomas Looker, first, and H. M. Sharp, 
second premium. 

Display white winter Pearmains, T. F. Miller, first, and H. M. Sharp, 
second premium. 

Display New York Pippins, William Sturgill, first, and T. F. Miller, 
seecond premium. 

Display Siberian crabs, Mrs. Burdick, first, and W. H. Johnson, sec- 
ond premium. 

Display of fall pears, Mrs. Samuel, first, and James Carver, second 
premium. 

Display of winter pears, R. P. Weaver, first, and James Carver, sec- 
ond premium. 

Display of quinces, Mrs. R. Johnson, premium. 

Best collection of fruit, William Johnson. 

Display of grapes, five varieties, J. Lieber, first, and T. H. Kind, sec- 
ond premium. 

Farm and Garden Products. — Peck of popcorn, with specimen 
popped, C. Leach, first, and Mrs. Susan Thomas, second premium. 

Peck sweet corn, C. Westbrook, first, and Griffin Martin, second 
premium. 

Half bushel Irish potatoes, A. Bullener, first, and H. M. Carver, sec- 
ond premium. 

Half bushel sweet potatoes, William Burr, first, and Griffin Martin, 
second premium. 

Half bushel carrots, Thomas H. King. 

Six heads cabbage, Mrs. S. W. Gavin. 

Half bushel beets, Mrs. Susan Thomas, first, and C. Westbrook, sec- 
ond premium. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 459 

Display of pumpkins, not less than six, H. W. Johnson, first, and F. 
M. Tiller, second premium. 

Peck of garden beans, Mrs. Susan Thomas. 

Bushel of fall wheat, William McComb, first, and A. Trussell, second 
premium. 

Bushel of spring wheat, William McComb, first, and A. Trussell, sec- 
ond premium. 

Bushel of oats, M. Kettering. 

Yellow corn, E. McAllister. 

White corn, H. W. Johnson. 

Field peas, Mrs. Susan Thomas. 

Fifty pounds of broomcorn, ready for market, Griffin Martin. 

Half bushel of flaxseed, Scott Betts. 

Half bushel of timothy seed, J. M. Linnville. 

Farm, Garden and Culinary. — Cucumber pickles, Miss Meriman. 

Cabbage pickles, Miss Meriman. 

Tomato pickles, William McNeil. 

Mango pickles, Mrs. Hartness. 

Display of pickles, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Strawberry jelly, Mrs. Bean. 

'Quince jelly, Mrs. John Donavan. 

Siberian crab jelly, Mrs. S. Wills. 

Grape jelly, Mrs. M. Morehead. 

Plum jelly, Mrs. W. A. Bailey. 

Apple jelly, C. K. Martin. 

Currant jelly, Miss Elvira Young. 

Gooseberry jelly, Mrs. Bean. 

Pieplant jelly, Mrs. D. L. Cline. 

Cranberry jelly, Mrs. Dr. Morrison. 

Display jellies, Mrs. Bean. 

Canned goods. — Grapes, Mary King. 

Quinces, C. K. Martin. 

Peaches, C. K. Martin. 

Pears, C. K. Martin. 

Plums, Elvira Young. 

Strawberries, Mrs. I. N. Wray. 

Raspberries, Mrs. A. K. Martin. 

Apples, C. K. Martin. 

Corn, C. K. Martin. 

Tomatoes, D. Andrews. 

Currants, Mrs. A. K. Martin. 

Gooseberries, Thomas Martin. 

Cherries, Thomas Martin. 

Pieplant, C. K. Martin. 



460 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Whortleberries, Mrs. Bean. 

Red cherries, C. K. Martin. 

Blackberries, D. Andrews. 

Display canned fruit, Mrs. A. K. Martin. 

Preserves. — Strawberry preserves, Mrs. J. B. Miller. 

Apple, Mrs. Wray. 

Siberian crab, D. M. Vinsonhaler. 

Display preserves, Mrs. John Donovan. 

Plums, Mrs. Allie Torrance. 

Peach, Mrs. John Donovan. 

Pear, Mrs. Bean. 

Cherry, Mrs. John Donovan. 

Blackberry, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Grape jam, Mrs. Bean. 

Spiced peaches, Mrs. I. N. Wray. 

Brandy peaches, Mrs. I. N. Wray. 

Chow chow, Mrs. William McNeal. 

Tomato catsup, Mrs. William McNeal. 

Plum butter, Mrs. A. E. Peters. 

Blackberry cordial, James Nelson. 

Yeast bread, Mrs. Bean. 

Salt-rising bread, Mrs. Alice Torrance. 

Pound cake, Miss Alice Kennedy. 

Fruit cake, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Jelly cake, Mrs. Dr. Morrison. 

Sponge cake, Sallie Boman. 

Cocoanut cake, Mrs. J. S. Leighty. 

Marble cake, Mrs. J. S. Leighty. 

Butter, Mrs. G. M. Spurgeon. 

Hard soap, Mrs. Mary Dean. 

Soft soap, Mrs. Mary Dean. 

Dried apples, Mrs. Alice Torrance. 

Dried corn, Mrs. Alice Torrance. 

Siberian crab apple butter, Mrs. D. L. Cline. 

Light rusks, Mrs. J. B. Miller. 

Watermelons, H. W. Johnson. 

Currant wine, Mrs. Susan Thomas. 

Cherry wine, Mrs. Susan Thomas. 

Grape wine, Mrs. James Nelson. 

Display of honey, W. Clark. 

Celery, Mrs. Susan Thomas. 

Domestic Manufactures. — Pair blankets, homemade, P. D. Bandervolt- 

Woolen bedspread, homemade, Mary Dean. 

Woolen bedspread, factory made, Mrs. D. L. Cline. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 46 1 

Five yards rag carpet, Mrs. Mary Montgomery. 

Pair woolen hose, P. D. Bandervolt. 

Pair knit woolen mittens, Mrs. M. J. Swearingen. 

Pair knit woolen socks, Mary Orear. 

Pair woolen hose by miss under twelve, Miss Jennie Jones. 

Pair woolen mits by miss under twelve, Adaline Grove. 

Miscellaneous. — Patchwork cotton quilt, Mrs. Thomas Forgerty. 

Patchwork worsted quilt, Mrs. A. J. Kinney. 

Specimen in quilting, Mrs. Burdick. 

Cotton bedspread, Mrs. Mary Smith. 

Specimen cotton embroidery, Mrs. Mustain. 

Specimen silk embroidery, Mrs. Leo McDonald. 

Specimen worsted embroidery, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Crochet cotton work, M. J. Hunter. 

Chain stitch embroidery, by hand, Mrs. Mary Smith. 

Canvas embroidery, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Hair work wreath, Mrs. W. A. Bailey. 

Worsted work wreath, Mrs. O. P. Bogart. 

Feather work wreath, Bertie Hartness. 

Phantom flower wreath, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Pressed flower wreath, Dora Carver. 

Moss mat, Mrs. Dr. Morrison. 

Homemade rug, Hattie Pierce. 

Set fancy toilet mats, Mrs. Dr. Morrison. 

Display millinery goods, Mrs. M. B. Kelley. 

Toilet bag, Miss Grace Higgins. 

Card case, Lena Pankey. 

Letter case, Mrs. T. F. Hood. 

Display miscellaneous fancy work, Mrs. W. A. Bailey. 

Lady's skirt, Hattie Pierce. 

Worsted shawl, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Cotton tidies, Mrs. John C. Curfman. 

Ironed shirt, Mrs. Mack. 

Worsted tidies, Mrs. Henry Toel. 

Slipper case, Mrs. T. F. Hood. 

Scrap bag, Mrs. A. W. Penny. 

Collection coins and curiosities, Mary A. Orear. 

Ottoman cover, Miss Mary Supple. 

Specimen of braiding, Mrs. J. B. Miller. 

Display of plain sewing, Mrs. John Donovan, 

Afghan, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Air castle, Mrs. T. F. Hood. 

Perforated work, Mary C. Smith. 

Specimen cone work, Mrs. B. Moran. 



462 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Pair braided pillow cases, Mrs. J. B. Miller. 

Pair fancy knit stockings, Mrs. Mary A. Smith. 

Darned lace by girl under 14, Annie Miller. 

Card receiver by girl under 14, Daisy Dean. 

Pin cushion by girl under 14, Minnie Hood. 

Embroidery by girl under 14, Mary Jones. 

Patchwork quilt by girl under 14, Hettie Kennedy. 

Decorated needle work, Mrs. John Donovan. 

Mantel lambrequins, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Bracket lambrequins, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Chair seats, with backs to match, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Sofa cushions, Mrs. Wes. McMacken. 

Large rug, Capitola McFarland. 

Small rug, Mrs. S. R. Beech. 

Stand cover, Mrs. John Donovan. 

Embroidered towel rack, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Tidy, Miss Annie Smith. 

Window lambrequins, Georgie McDonald. 

Honiton lace, Mrs. Pankey. 

Point lace, Mrs. Pankey. 

Darned lace bedspread, Mrs. Frank Holmes. 

Chenille work, Mrs. Rynerson. 

Wall protector, Mrs. J. F. Glass. 

Hand painted panel pictures, Miss Patterson. 

Specimen coral work, Mrs. C. Beal. 

Display of horn work, Lee Pankey. 

Display putty work, Mrs. S. R. Beech. 

Fishscale embroidery, Mrs. Charles Beal. 

Cross and vine in autumn tints, Mrs. Sam Phillips. 

Special Premiums. — The following entries were made in the special 
rings : 

For the best twenty-five pounds butter, offered by J. J. Smith, two 
entries ; Mrs. J. T. Duffey and Mrs. Thomas Martin. Mrs. Duffey 
awarded premium of a portable creamer. 

For best loaf of bread, by Hawkins & Craig, the following entries : 
Mrs. Thomas Martin, Malissa Carman, Mrs. J. B. Miller, Mrs. Charles 
Hyslop, Mrs. J. J. Bean, Mrs. D. T. Cline, Mrs. W. and Joe Meeker. 
Premium, Mrs. Charles Hyslop, sack of Mexico flour. 

For best display of musical instruments, offered by Fred. Hastings: 
( )ne entry, Mrs. A. K. Martin. Premium, Mrs. Martin. 

J. B. Prather offered three special premiums .for colts sired by his 
horse, Billet. The premiums were awarded as follows : Monroe Sharp, 
$25 ; James Stinson, $15; T. L. Robinson, $10; respectively. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



463 



T. W. Gaunt offered three splendid premiums for the best display 
of fruit from trees from his nursery. These premiums were decided on 
Friday, as follows : D. M. Vinsonhaler, first ; H. M. Sharp, second, and 
William Sturgill, third. 

For premiums offered by the Homestead, the following entries were 
made : For best two pounds of butter, Robert Richardson ; for heaviest 
six ears of corn, J. W. Kennedy and E. McAlister ; for best looking 
baby from the country, J. L. Scott. Butter premium, Mrs. Richardson ; 
corn premium, Mr. McAlister ; baby premium, Mr. J. L. Scott. 




CHAPTER XXXI. 

RAILROADS. 

THE KANSAS CITY, SAINT JOSEPH AND COUNCIL BLUFFS RAILROAD THE WABASH, 
SAINT LOUIS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD. 

The smoke of the great civil conflict had scarcely disappeared, 
when the citizens of Nodaway County began to agitate the subject of 
securing important railroad facilities. Early in the spring of 1866, a 
mass meeting of the citizens was called in the town of Maryville, to take 
into consideration the feasibility of submitting a proposition to the peo- 
ple, to vote in bonds, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
to the St. Joseph and Iowa line, and the Alexandria, Bloomfield and 
Rockport Railroad Companies. Much enthusiasm was manifested at that 
meeting, and so determined were the citizens to push forward the enter- 
prise of aiding these companies in building their roads through the 
county, that the initial steps were immediately taken to have the propo- 
sition submitted. 

Accordingly on the 19th day of May, 1866, the County Court of 
Nodaway County made the following order : 

"Ordered by the County Court, that Nodaway County subscribe the 
sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of build- 
ing or aiding in building the following railroads through Nodaway 
County, viz : 

First — The sum of seventy-five thousand dollars to the railroad 
known as the St. Joseph and Iowa Line Railroad, from north to south, 
on the valley of the One Hundred and Two River, on the most practi- 
cable route through said county 

Second — The like sum of seventy-five thousand dollars to the rail- 
road known as the Alexandria, Bloomfield and Rock Port Railroad. 

First — Run east and west through said county near the center and 
to pass within one mile of Maryville in said count)-. The work on said 
road to commence in good faith within eighteen months from the date of 
this order, but if either of said railroad companies shall fail to commence 
work within the time specified, then the whole amount of one hundred 
and fifty thousand dollars to be given or subscribed to the company 
which shall in good faith, first commence the work in the time specified. 
The said amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to be paid 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 465 

to one or both of said railroad companies, as the case may be, under the 
order as follows, viz : 

First — One-fourth of the amount to be paid upon the completion of 
the first ten miles of the road-bed. 

Second — One-fourth of the amount to be paid upon the completion 
of the second ten miles of the road-bed. 

Third — One-fourth of the amount to be paid upon the completion 
of the third ten miles of road-bed. 

Fourth, and last installment to be paid upon the completion of 
the whole road, or roads (as the case may be, under this order), ready 
for the rolling stock, said road, or roads, to be completed within five 
years from the first day of January, 1867. L ; 

It is further ordered, that the County Court of said county, shall 
raise the said amount by taxation, on the taxable property of said 
county, by annual installments, not exceeding one-third annually, and 
no assessment of same be made until one or both of said companies 
have commenced work as heretofore specified ; and it is further ordered, 
that the foregoing proposition be submitted to the legal voters of this 
county for their approval or rejection, on the' 16th day of June, 1866, 
and that the tickets for said election shall be as follows : " For Railroad 
Tax." Those voting in the affirmative to write or print the word "Yes," 
and those voting in the negative will write the word "No." 

The proposition was submitted to a vote of the people, who signi- 
fied their assent by a large majority. The railroad companies, however, 
to whom the people were willing to contribute so liberally, made no 
effort to build the roads, and nothing more was done in the matter until 
in September, 1867, when another proposition was submitted to vote 
bonds of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars to each of the 
two following roads : The Missouri Valley and the Mississippi and 
Missouri River Air Line Railroads. 

The County Court, at its August term in 1867, made the following 
order : 

Ordered, that a special election be held on the tenth day of Septem- 
ber, A. D. 1867, for the purpose of ascertaining whether two-thirds of 
the qualified voters of this county assent to a subscription by the county 
of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars to the capital stock of 
the Missouri Valley Railroad Company, and one hundred and twenty- 
five thousand dollars to the capital stock of the Mississippi and Missouri 
River Air Line Railroad Company, on the following conditions : 

First. Of such subscription, there shall be paid to the Missouri 
Valley Railroad Company, when the road of such company shall be 
completed with the cars running thereon to a point in the valley of the 
One Hundred and Two River, opposite to Howard's Mill, in Nodaway 
County, forty thousand dollars. When said road shall be completed in 



466 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

like manner to a point in said valley opposite to and within a distance of 
one mile from the court house, in the town of Maryville, in said county, 
forty-five thousand dollars ; and when said road shall be so completed to 
the Iowa line, forty thousand dollars. Said road to be so completed to 
the point opposite to the town of Maryville, by the first day of May, A. 
D. 1869, and to the Iowa line by the first day of May, 1870. 

Second. Of such subscription, there shall be paid to the Missis- 
sippi and Missouri River Air Line Railroad Company, whenever the 
road of such company shall be completed, with the cars running thereon 
to a distance of eight miles within Nodaway County, forty thousand 
dollars ; when said road shall be so completed to a point within one 
mile of the court house in Maryville, in said county, forty-five thousand 
dollars, and when said road shall be so completed through said county, 
forty thousand dollars. Said last named road to be so completed 
through the county in five years from the date of this order. 

Third. Should the assent of two-thirds of the voters be given at 
such election to the subscription above proposed, then no subscription 
shall be made by said county, under the proposition heretofore sub- 
mitted and adopted by the voters of this county on the 6th day of June, 
A. D. 1866. 

Fourth. At such election the voters assenting to the foregoing 
subscription, shall write or cause to be written on their respective bal- 
lots : " For the railroad subscription," and those against such such sub- 
scription shall cause to be so written or printed the words : "Against 
the railroad subscription." 

Fifth. The judges of the election, aforesaid, shall cast up the votes 
then given, for and against such subscription, and return the same to 
the Clerk of the County Court, as in the case of other elections as pro- 
vided by law. 

The above proposition carried, and the Missouri Valley Railroad 
Company gave notice of its acceptance of the amount so voted. 

On the 25th day of March, 1869, the court formally subscribed the 
sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars to the Missouri 
Valley Railroad Company, as will be seen from the following order: 

State of Missouri, | ss 
County of Nodaway, j " 

Whereas, On the 25th day of March, 1869, the County Court of 
Nodaway County made and entered of record the following order: 

WHEREAS, On the sixth day of August, 1867, it was ordered by the 
court, that a subscription for one hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars ($125,000) to the capital stock of the Missouri Valley Railroad Com- 
pany, be submitted to the qualified voters of Nodaway County, for their 
assent, adoption or rejection, at a special election to be held for that 
purpose on the 10th day of September, 1867, and which was assented to 
by them in the manner provided by law, by a two-thirds majority ; and, 



HISTORY OK NODAWAY COUNTY. 467 

WHEREAS, The same was accepted by the said Missouri Valley 
Railroad Company, on the second day of October, 1867, which accept- 
ance was received and ordered filed, and the receipt acknowledged on 
the nth day of November, 1867; and, 

WHEREAS, The said subscription was never formally made by this 
court, or by its authority, therefore, be it ordered that the clerk of this 
court subscribe the sum of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars 
($125,000) amounting to twelve hundred and fifty (1250) shares of the 
capital stock of the Missouri Valley Railroad Company, in the name of 
Nodaway County, on the conditions of the propositions adopted by the 
voters of said county, on the 10th day of September, A. D. 1867, assent- 
ing to a subscription by Nodaway County to the capital stock of said 
company ; and it is further ordered, that the several payments of said 
subscription be made in the bonds of Nodaway County, to be issued and 
made payable, one-fourth thereof in two years, one-fourth in three years, 
one-fourth in four years, and one-fourth in five years, from their respect- 
ive dates, and to bear interest at the rate of seven per cent, per annum 
from date. 

Now, know ye, that in consideration of said order, and in considera- 
tion of the premises, I, Joseph Jackson, Clerk of the said Nodaway County 
Court, do hereby, in the name of and for the use of Nodaway County, 
subscribe to the capital stock of the said Missouri Valley Railroad Com- 
pany, the sum of $125,000 for 1,250 shares of the stock of said company, 
which said stock is submitted to the capital stock of said company upon 
the following conditions, that is to say: First — Of said subscription, 
there shall be paid to the said Missouri Valley Railroad Company, when 
the railroad of said company shall be complete, with the cars running 
thereon to a point in the valley of the One Hundred and Two River, 
opposite to Howard's Mill, in Nodaway County, State of Missouri, 
$40,000 ; when said railroad shall be completed in like manner to a point 
in said valley of said river opposite to and within a distance of one mile 
of the court house, in the town of Maryville, in said county, $45,000, and 
when said road shall be so completed to the Iowa State line, $40,000 ; 
said road to be completed to the point opposite to the town of Mary- 
ville by the 1st day of March, 1869, and to the Iowa State line by the i*t 
day of May, 1870. 

It being further understood and agreed that the said several pay- 
ments of said subscription are to be made in the bonds of Nodaway 
County, to be issued and made payable, one-fourth in two years, one- 
fourth in three years, one-fourth in four years, and one-fourth in five 
years from their respective sales, and to bear interest at the rate of 7 per 
cent, per annum from date. 

In witness whereof, I, Joseph Jackson, clerk as aforesaid, hereby sub- 
scribe the name of said County of Nodaway, and for its use and benefit, 
by the authority aforesaid, this 25th day of March, 1869. 

NODAWAY COUNTY. 
By JOSEPH JACKSON, 
Clerk of Nodaway County. 

On the 25th of May, 1869, a motion was made before the county 
court, asking the court to reconsider its order subscribing the bonds, 
which motion was sustained. On the 10th of February, 187 1, the court 



468 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

revoked its order, and instructed the county treasurer not to pay the 
railroad bonds which had been subscribed, or any part thereof, and 
authorizing Herren & Rea, attorneys, Savannah, Missouri, to defend 
upon the part of Nodaway County, in the Supreme Court, the cause at 
that time being about to be transferred to that court. 

On the 25th of September, 1871, the following peremptory writ of 
mandamus was issued by the Supreme Court of the State, requiring the 
County Court of Nodaway County to issue the bonds : 

The State of Missouri to the County Court of Nodaway County, in the 

State of Missouri : 

Whereas, The Kansas City, Saint Joseph and Council Bluffs Rail- 
road Company, a corporation organized under the laws of Missouri, did 
lately petition your court,, to issue forty thousand dollars in the bonds 
of the County of Nodaway, in payment of so much of subscription of 
said county to the capital stock of the Missouri Valley Railroad Com- 
pany, to all the powers, rights and privileges of which last mentioned 
company, the said Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad 
Company claims to be entitled, and whereas, heretofore, to wit, at a 
session of the Supreme Court of Missouri, held at the city of St. Joseph, 
the third Monday of February, 1871, it appeared upon the petition of 
the said Kansas City, Saint Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Company 
among other things, that at a session of said County Court, lately before 
holden according to law, that said application was rejected, and said 
county court refused to issue said bonds. 

Wherefore, the said Supreme Court, at the instance of said peti- 
tioner, granted a rule, requiring the justices of said County Court, to 
show cause, if any they had, why a writ of mandamus from said 
Supreme Court, should not be awarded and issued to said County Court 
commanding it to issue said bonds ; and, whereas, at said session of 
said Supreme Court, held at said City of St. Joseph, on the third Mon- 
day of August, 1871, said justices certified and filed a return to said rule, 
showing the reasons why said bonds had not been issued ; and, whereas, 
afterwards, to wit, at the term last aforesaid of said Supreme Court, 
upon consideration of said returns of the causes shown therein, against 
the said rule being made absolute, and against the awarding and issu- 
ing of said writ of mandamus, and upon the consideration of the argu- 
ments of counsel, it was considered by said Supreme Court, that said 
returns set forth an insufficient cause for having refused to issue said 
bonds, and against the awarding and issuing of the said writ of mandamus; 
and it was also then and there considered by the said Supreme Court, 
that the peremptory writ of the State of Missouri issue, requiring and 
commanding you, the said County Court, to issue said bonds. Therefore, 
you are hereby commanded and enjoined immediately after the receipt 
of this writ, and without delay, you proceed to issue said forty thousand 
dollars of the bonds of said County of Nodaway, in payment of so 
much of the subscription of said county to the capital stock of the 
Missouri Valley Railroad Company, that said bonds be issued and deliv- 
ered to the said Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad 
Company ; said bonds to bear date the first day of January, 1S71, at the 
rate of seven per centum per annum from date, said interest to be paid 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 469 

annually, so that complaint be not again made to the said Supreme 
Court, by the said last mentioned railroad company, and that you 
certify certain obedience and due execution of this writ to said Supreme 
Court, to be held in said City of Joseph, on the third Monday of Feb- 
ruary next. Hereof fail not at your peril, and have you then and there 
this writ. 

In testimony whereof, I, Litt. R. Lancaster, Clerk of said Supreme 
Court, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at office, 
this 25th day of September, 187 1. 

[seal.] LITT. R. LANCASTER, 

Clerk of the Sup. Court. 

The Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad was com- 
pleted to Maryville in the fall of 1869, and to the Iowa line in the win- 
ter of 1870. 

The Missouri River Air Line Railroad was never built. 



THE WABASH, ST. LOUIS AND PACIFIC. 

This railroad was called, at the time of its construction, the Council 
Bluffs and St. Louis, and was built entirely by private subscription. 

In the fall of 1878, the citizens of Maryville met at Union Hall in 
mass convention, for the purpose of raising a cash subscription of fifty 
thousand dollars. These meetings continued for the space of about one 
week, and embraced among those in attendance a large number of 
ladies, who manifested great interest in the success of the railroad pro- 
ject, which was then being considered. 

The Council Bluffs and St. Louis Railroad Company required of 
Maryville the amount above mentioned (fifty thousand dollars), in 
money, and required from the county, outside of Maryville, the sum of 
seventy-five thousand dollars, or one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
dollars from the city and county, the subscription from the county to be 
paid in produce. Altogether, in cash and produce, there was raised 
about one hundred and sixteen thousand dollars, fifty thousand of which 
was cash. 

This amount secured the railroad, whose company began work 
immediately, and so rapidly was the enterprise pushed forward that the 
railroad now known as the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, was completed 
by the 24th day of October, 1879, with its cars running upon the road. 

The depot of this road is located in the northwest part of Mary- 
ville, about a half a mile from the court house. The depot of the Kan- 
sas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad is located one mile east 
of the court house. 



47o 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



Since the completion of the first railroad, in 1869, to Maryville, the 
population of the city has almost doubled. The town has now assumed 
something of the appearance of a city, and is regarded as one of the best 
business centers in Northwest Missouri. Its rapid increase in wealth, 
business and population being largely, if not altogether, attributable to 
the influence of its two railroads — the Kansas City, St. Joseph and 
Council Bluffs and the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific. 




CHAPTER XXXII. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. 

The following chapter is one which we have found most difficult to 
write, owing to the difficulty in obtaining full and accurate information. 
It should be the most interesting of all the chapters of the book. We 
have endeavored to remain in the realm of the real, and deal as little as 
possible in the ideal and imaginative. Comparatively little has been 
made a matter of record relating to the early schools and churches of the 
county. What has been made a matter of record and what has been 
remembered by the old settlers whom we have seen is here given. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The schools of the county are sharing with the contents of the news- 
boy's bundle, the title of the universities of the poor. The close observa- 
tion of the working of the public schools shows that if the induction of 
facts be complete, it could be demonstrated that the public schools turn 
out more men and women better fitted for business and usefulness than 
most of our colleges. The freedom and liberty of our public schools 
afford less room for the growth of effeminacy and pedantry; it educates 
the youth among the people and not among a caste or class, and since 
the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which people 
are the only factor, the education which the public schools afford, espe- 
cially where they are of the superior standard reached in this county, do 
fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart than 
can be attained by private schools and academies. 

The crowning glory of American institutions is the public school 
system ; nothing else among American institutions is so intensely 
American. They are the colleges of Democracy, and if this govern- 
ment is to remain a republic, governed by statesmen, it must be from 
the public schools they must be graduated. The amount of practical 
knowledge that the masses here receive is important beyond measure, 
and forms the chief factor in the problem of material prosperity ; but it is 
not so much the practical knowledge, which it is the ostensible mission 
of the public schools to impart, that makes this system the sheet anchor 
of our hopes. It is rather the silent, social influence which the common 
schools incidentally exert. 



472 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

It is claimed for our country that it is a land of social equality, 
where all have an equal chance in the race for life ; and yet there are 
many things which give the lie to this boasted claim of an aristocracy 
of manhood. Our churches are open to all, but it is clear that the best 
pews are occupied by the men of wealth and influence. The sightless 
goddess extends the scales of justice to all, but it will usually appear 
that there is money in the descending scale. It requires money to run 
for office, or, a't least, it takes money to get office. 

The first experience of the American citizen of to-day, however, 
is in the public school. If he is a rich man's son, his class-mate is the 
son of poverty. The seat which the one occupies is no better than that 
occupied by the other, and when the two are called to the blackboard, 
the fine clothes of the. rich man's son do not keep him from going down, 
provided he be a drone, neither do the patches on the clothes of 
the poor man's son keep him down, provided he has the genius and 
application to make him rise. The pampered child of fortune may pur- 
chase a diploma at many of the select schools of the land, but at the 
public schools it is genius and application which win. That state or 
nation which reaches out this helping hand to the children of want will 
not lack for defenders in time of danger, and the hundreds of thousands 
of dollars annually expended for the common education of children is 
but money loaned to the children, which they will pay back with com- 
pound interest when grown to manhood. 

In a modest, unassuming way, our schools inculcate lessons of com- 
mon honesty. The boy hears his father make promises, and sees him 
break them. Mr. Jones is promised twenty dollars on Monday. He 
calls on Monday and again on Tuesday, and finally gets the twenty dol- 
lars on Saturday. The boy goes with his father to church, and frequently 
gets there after the first prayer. In vain does that father teach his boy 
lessons of common honesty, when the boy knows that the father disap- 
pointed Jones, and never reaches the church in time. The boy soon 
learns at the public schools that punctuality and promptness are cardinal 
virtues ; that to be tardy is to get a little black mark, and to be abseftt a 
day is to get a big black mark. A public school in which punctuality 
and promptness are impartially and fearlessly enforced is a most potent 
conservator of public morals. 

It has been often said that the State of Missouri has not only been 
indifferent to the subject of education, but that she has been hostile to 
the cause of common schools. To prove that these are gross misrepre- 
sentations and that her attitude toward an interest so vital and popular 
does not admit of any question, it is only necessary to say that the con- 
stitutions of 1820, 1865 and 1875, make this subject of primary import- 
ance and guard the public school funds with a zealous care. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 473 

The fact is, the constitution of no state contains more liberal and 
enlightened provisions relative to popular education, than the Constitu- 
tion of Missouri, adopted in 1875. During the past sixty years of her 
existence, not a solitary line can be found upon her statute books inimi- 
cal to the cause. No political party in all her history has ever arrayed 
itself against free schools, and her governors, each and all, from 1824 to 
the present time (188 1), have been earnest advocates of a broad and 
liberal system of education. As early as 1839, the state established a 
general school law and system, and in 1853, one-fourth of her annual 
revenue was dedicated to the maintenance of free schools. Her people 
have taxed themselves as freely for this cause as the people of any state. 
With the single exception of Indiana, she surpasses every other state in 
the Union in the amount of her available and productive permanent 
school funds, the productive school fund of Indiana being $9,065,254.73, 
while that of Missouri is $8,950,805.71, the State of North Carolina rank- 
ing third. The State of Indiana levies a tax for school purposes of six- 
teen cents on the hundred dollars of taxable values, and does not permit 
a local tax exceeding twenty-five cents on that amount. The State of 
Missouri levies a tax of five cents, and permits a local tax of forty cents, 
without a vote of the people, or sixty-five cents in the country districts, 
and one dollar in cities and towns, by a majority vote of the taxpayers 
voting. 

For the year ending in April, 1880, only two counties in the state 
reported a less rate of local taxation than the maximum allowed in Indi- 
ana, only one the amount of that maximum, and the average rate of all 
the counties reported, was about thirty-nine cents, or fourteen cents 
more than the possible rate of that state. 

It may not be known that Missouri has a greater number of school 
houses to the population than Massachusetts, yet such is the fact. The 
amount she expends annually for public education is nearly double the 
rate, on the amount of her assessed valuation, that the amount expended 
by the latter state is on her valuation, while the public school funds of 
Missouri exceed those of Massachusetts $5,405,127.09. 

The Missouri system of education is, perhaps, as good as that of any 
other state, and is becoming more effectively enforced each succeeding 
year. The one great fault, or lack in the laws, in reference to common 
schools, is the want of adequate executive agency within the county. 
The state department should have positive and unequivocal supervision 
over the county superintendent, and the county superintendent should 
have control over the school interests of the county, under direction of 
the state superintendent. When this is done, the people of the state 
will reap the full benefits that should accrue to them from the already 
admirable system of free schools, which are now in successful operation 
throughout the state. 



474 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

ENUMERATION. 

There are but four counties in the state having a greater number of 
children between the ages of six and twenty years (school age) than 
Nodaway County. These counties are as follows : (Report of 1880.) 

Buchanan 14,662 

Jackson 23,836 

Jasper 11,152 

St. Louis City 106,372 

Nodaway 10,747 

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION. 

There are but three counties in the state whose total receipts from 
the various funds for school purposes are greater in amount than 
Nodaway: 

Buchanan ' $ 81,092 16 

Jackson 176,591 80 

St. Louis 82,792 20 

Nodaway 75,237 05 

EXPENDITURES. 

While Nodaway County ranks the fourth, in its receipts, it is the 
third in the amount expended in behalf of the cause of education. The 
counties expending the largest sums were : 

Jackson $1 29,227 1 3 

St. Louis City 820,925 48 

Nodaway 55,474 94 

TEACHERS. 

During the year 1881, there were 1 1,659 teachers employed in the 
the public schools of the state, 6,068 males and 4,379 females. Only 
, three counties employed more teachers than Nodaway, these being 

Jackson 238 

Johnson 219 

St. Louis City 953 

Nodaway 216 

SCHOOL HOUSES. 

In the number and completeness of her school houses, Nodaway 
County stands first in the list, and the number is rapidly increasing each 
year. These buildings are now estimated to be worth about $100,000. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 475 

Nodaway County contains 165 

Bates County " 137 

Johnson County " 131 

LIBRARIES. 

Nodaway County expended more money for a library in 1881 than 
any other county in the state, excepting Crawford and the City of St. 
Louis, the figures being as follows : 

St. Louis City $13,508 00 

•Crawford 45 1 25 

Nodaway 360 14 

The comparisons above made, have been instituted with no invidi- 
ous motives towards other counties of our noble state, but simply to show 
the true status of Nodaway County so far as her public schools are con- 
cerned. Taking the above figures then as facts, it will be seen that 
Nodaway County is the fifth in the number of school children, fourth in 
the amount of her total receipts, third in expenditures for the mainten- 
ance of her public schools, fourth in the number of teachers employed, 
first in the number of school houses, and third in the expenditure of 
money for a library. Each of the counties named were not only organ- 
ized, some of them many years before Nodaway County had an 
existence, but each has a greater population. 

If the number of school houses, as we have always been taught to 
believe, indicate the interest the people have in the cause of education, 
then Nodaway County ranks first in the state, as she exceeds all other 
counties in this respect, having twenty-eight school buildings more 
than any other county. She has altogether one hundred and eighty-five 
schools in operation. 

Below we give the county clerk's report for 1880, concerning the 
enumeration, annual distribution and the various school funds : 

ENUMERATION. 

Male. Female. Total. 
Number of white persons in the county between six 

and twenty years of age 5,592 5.125 10,717 

Number of colored persons in the county between 

six and twenty years of age 16 14 30 

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION. 

•Cash on hand at settlement with county treasurer, in April, 

1880 $ 1 5,93 1 42 

Amount of revenue received from state fund by auditor's war- 
rant of 1880 6,973 20 



47" HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Amount of revenue received from county funds in 1880 (in 

interest on notes and bonds) 7,446 28 

Amount received from district tax in 1880, as per settlement 

with collector, in March, 1880 38,678 48 

Amount of revenue received from township fund in 1880 (inter- 
est notes and bonds) 3,157 43 

Amount received from all other sources 3,150 24 

Total amount $75, 2 37 05 

Total amount expended, as shown by settlement with county 

treasurer, in April, 1 88 1 55.474 94 

Cash on hand $ 19,762 1 1 

PRINCIPAL OF THE VARIOUS SCHOOL FUNDS. 

Amount of township school funds $23,527 40 

Amount of county public school funds 70,529 29 

Total $94,056 69 

Amount received during the year for fines and penalties, which 

was loaned at 10 per cent, interest $237 OO 

The number of children of school age in the county in 1870 was 
5,496. This number has nearly doubled during the decade which has 
followed. In 1870 there were about no school houses, the number hav- 
ing increased some six or seven per year since that period. 

Nodaway County educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. 
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodi- 
ous school houses, and good schools are taught in all the townships and 
towns, sufficiently numerous and convenient for the accommodation of 
.ill parts of the county. Educational interests are considered of the 
highest importance, and means have not been spared to make the public 
schools a success, and under the efficient management of those who 
have held the office of superintendent, the schools are attaining a high 
standard. 

The county teachers believe in the interchange of thought, also in 
the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a 
study as well as a practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of 
regular and frequent occurrence, and are well attended by those who 
take special interest in the work. The superintendent's examination 
grades are now of such a standard, that all applicants do not attain 
them, and for those who are successful, after diligent stud)- and prepara- 
tion, it shows a more creditable standing, besides furnishing a much 
more efficient class of teachers. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 477 

There has been as great a change in the character and qualifications 
of the teacher, as there has been in the architecture and arrangements 
of the school houses. Formerly, schools were held at the residences of 
the old settlers, or else in cabins whose external appearance and internal 
arrangements closely resembled the pioneer cabin. The teacher also, 
very closely resembled the early settler, or, as a rule, he was a settler, 
devoting a great portion of his time to making rails, grubbing hazel 
brush, and attending to his stock and crops, while teaching was simply 
incidental. Teaching has now become a profession, and the teacher 
devotes his entire time to it. 

The following is a list of County Superintendents since 1852, which 
will embrace all, perhaps, who officiated in that capacity since the 
organization of the county : 

James Saunders, 1852. M. G. Roseberry, 1863. 

C. S. Burns, 1855. A. C. Votaw, 1864. 

C. S. Burns, 1857. I- N. Albin, 1867. 

C. S. Burns, 1859. S. C. McCluskey, 1868. 

L. T. Ellis, 1862. D. L. Chartey, 1881. 
B. G. Ford, 1863. 

EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. 

" You raised these h illowed walls, the desert smiled, 
And Paradise was opened in the wild . '' 

The settlement of the county and the organization of the first 
churches were almost contemporaneous. The plow had scarcely begun 
to turn the sod, when the pioneer preachers commenced to labor in the 
new field. In the Western country, as well as in the Orient and the 
isles of the sea, marched the representatives of the Christian religion in 
the front ranks of civilization. Throughout the centuries which com- 
prise this era, have the Christian missionaries been taught and trained 
to accompany the first advance of civilization, and such was their 
advent in Nodaway County. In the rude cabins and huts of the pio- 
neers they proclaimed the same gospel that is preached in the gorgeous 
palaces that, under the name of churches, decorate the great cities. 

It was the same gospel, but the surroundings made it appear differ- 
ent, in the effect it produced at least. The Christian religion had its 
rise, and the days of its purest practice, among an humble minded peo- 
ple, and it is among similar surroundings in modern times, that it seems 
to approach the purity of its source. This is best shown in the days of 
pioneer life. It is true, indeed, that in succeeding times, the church 
has attained greater wealth and practices a wider benevolence. Fur- 
ther, it may be admitted, that it has gained a firmer discipline, and 



478 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

wields a more general influence on society, but it remains true, in pio- 
neer times, we find a manifestation of Christianity that we seek in vain 
at a later period and under contrasted circumstances. The meek and 
the lowly spirit of the Christian faith — the placing of spiritual things 
above vain pomp and show — appear more earnest amid the simple life 
and toil of a pioneer people, than it can when surrounded with the 
splendors of wealth and fashion. 

But we may take a comparison less wide, and instead of contrast- 
ing the Christian appearances of a great city with that of the pioneers, 
we may compare that of forty years ago here in the West with that in 
the present time of moderately developed wealth and taste for display 
and we find much of the same result. 

The comparison is perhaps superficial to some extent, and does not 
fully weigh the elements involved, nor analyze them properly. We sim- 
ply take the broad fact not to decry the present, but to illustrate the 
past. So looking back to the early religious meetings in the log cabins 
we may say: " Here was a faith, earnest and simple, like that of the 
early Christians." 

It is not our purpose, at this place, to give a full account of the 
organization of all the churches of the county. Such matters of detail 
have been given in connection with the history of the towns and town- 
ships. It is our purpose here to speak only of the early churches and 
ministers, of those Christian ministers who first proclaimed the gospel of 
our Savior in Nodaway County, and of some of the organizations 
effected by them, and of the trials and privations which they suffered in 
common with the old sttlers among whom they labored. 

The representatives of the M. E. Church were the first to bear aloft 
the banner of the Christian religion in Nodaway County. The first 
church was organized in Hughes Township, in 1840, with the following 
members : Mr. and Mrs. James Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Hedgepeth, 
and Ruth Hedgepeth. The two first ministers in charge were Rev. 
Reuben Aldridge, in 1840, and Rev. Benjamin R. Baxter, in 1842. They 
were succeeded by Rev. Alexander Spencer, in 1844. 

One among the first ministers, to officiate as such, among the 
pioneers of the county, was Bishop Marvin, who spent the early years 
of his ministry in Northwest Missouri. The Bishop was then a young 
man, with headquarters at Oregon, Holt County, and laboring in behalf 
of the M. E. Church. He held services about the years 1842 and 1843, 
at the house (a log cabin) of Mr. Oester, father of John Oester, now of 
Mount Tabor. Mr. Oester then resided in what is now known as 
Lincoln Township. Here the Bishop organized a class, and finally a 
church, which is still in existence. But we will let the Bishop tell of 
those days when he labored in this section of the country. In 1874, 
the old settlers of the Platte Purchase, held a reunion at St. Joseph. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 479 

Bishop Marvin had been invited to be present upon that occasion, but 
owing to his ministerial duties, which called him elsewhere at that time, 
he could not attend. He, however, wrote the following letter to Col. 
James N. Burnes, the President of the Old Settlers Reunion, which 
will doubtless be read with great interest by all who knew the Bishop 
and who are familiar with the incidents of that early day: 

2719 Lucas Avenue, St. Louis, September 3, 1874. 
James N. Burnes, Esq.: 

Dear Sir and Brother : I have just returned from a tour, and find 
yours of August 27th, inviting me to participate in the reunion of the 
"old settlers" of the Platte Purchase. I regret that I did not know of 
the reunion a month earlier. In that case I could have arranged my 
appointments so as to enable me to be present. As it is, I have an 
engagement in Dent County, which, for special reasons, it is necessary 
to meet. You may assure your board that no circumstances of a trivial 
character would prevent my acceptance of their invitation. 

For the early settlers of Northwest Missouri I feel a regard that 
amounts to enthusiasm, and increases with time. 

The early years of my ministry were spent in that part of the state. 
In 1842, I passed the present site of St. Joseph, on my way to a field of 
labor quite on the frontier. It embraced all the country west of Noda- 
way River. You will remember at that time there was no St. Joseph. 
In subsequent years I labored in Clay, Platte and Buchanan Counties. 
I shall never forget the uncalculating, unbounded hospitality of the "old 
settlers." Many of them were in their first rude cabins, but those cabins 
had the rarest capacity for entertaining both friend and stranger of any 
houses of their size I ever saw. I often saw them crowded, but to the 
best of my recollection I never saw one of them full ; there was always 
room for a fresh comer. I recollect once in the Platte Purchase, I was 
wedging myself into a bed already occupied by five children, when one 
of them waked sufficiently to exclaim, " Mamma, mamma, he's a scrougin 
me ! " 

You will yourself remember that I was more than once a guest at 
the house of your honored father. Bear with me while I say I can never 
forget the model Christian mother, mistress and hostess, who presided 
over the domestic scene there. 

At that time I knew many men who did not know me, for I was a 
mere youth. I knew they were great as compared with other men I 
knew, but I had a fancy that the great men were in the east. But after 
many years of extended observation I have come to the conclusion that 
I heard as fine a specimen of political speaking in Liberty, in 1844, by 
Colonel Doniphan, as I have ever heard since, and that the country 
would be happy if the balances were everywhere held by hands as intel- 
ligent and firm as those of the pioneer jurist, David R. Atchison. 

Among my own class there was the laborious Redman, the scholarly 
Tutt, the impetuous and saintly Roberts, and many others, now dead. 
Nor can I omit the name of the incorruptible and courageous Roberson. 
Some are. still living: Holmes, Perry, Ruble, Jordan, Rush, Spencer, 
Barker and others. 



480 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

There was a man, a minister of Christ, a large portion of whose pub- 
lic career belongs to the Platte Purchase, of whom I must say, he was in 
some respects the most remarkable man I ever saw. I refer to W. G. 
Caples. He was another "Agamemnon, King of men." He was a first- 
class wit, a man of the finest social feelings, having positive ideas, and a 
great end to accomplish. That end was the extension of the kingdom 
of Christ and the salvation of men. In his view, a high standard of 
popular education would contribute to this. He did much for Northwest 
Missouri in establishing schools under Christian auspices, and although 
they did not survive the war, they did much to elevate public sentiment, 
and have left an influence behind them that must be permanent. 

Now I proceed to say that the old settlers of Platte have heard as 
great preaching as any other people on the American continent, and 
from the lips of the man, Caples. I have heard more scholarly men, 
men whose sermons evinced higher cultivation and a better classical 
finish ; but for power of argumentation, for philosophical breadth and 
sweep, for grandeur of conception, for greatness of imagination, for force 
and pungency of popular appeal, for originality, variety and opulence of 
thought, and for pathos, my conviction is his superior has not appeared 
in the American pulpit. 

I make no doubt that the ministry and church have done more to 
quicken thought and create a thirst for knowledge in the west, than is 
generally understood. Ministers of the gospel in the new communities, 
being above the average of people in culture, and dealing in truths of a 
character to elevate the mind and provoke inquiry, have, as an incident 
of their calling, toned up the popular mind, encouraged a taste for read- 
ing and created a demand for schools. Such a man as Caples cannot 
mingle with people without elevating them. 

But pardon me. I had no thought of becoming so garrulous. I am 
getting to be almost an old man, and thoughts of the old times have 
awakened the talking mood in me, until it seems a real hardship and 
self-denial not to be with you at the reunion. It is thirty years since I 
heard Doniphan. How I would like to listen to his utterances on this 
occasion, when old memories will mellow his voice, and since, as I doubt 
not, Christian sentiments will exalt and irradiate his conception. 

Will you have the goodness to present to the "old settlers" my pro- 
found regard, and express to them my deep regret that I cannot greet 
them on this pleasant occasion, for there are many whom I shall never 
meet again. As ever, 

E. M. MARVIN. 

Bishop Marvin died in 1878. 

During his pastorate in one of the St. Louis churches, he delivered 
his famous lectures on Catholicism, which have ever since been accepted 
as a standard defense of the Protestant faith. In 1876, he sailed as one 
of the missionaries of his church to visit the missions in foreign fields, 
and returned in 1877. While on his death-bed he finished his book, the 
most important of his writings, entitled "To the East by Way of the 
West," which gives an account of his voyage around the world, and 
describing the field of labor in heathen lands. About the same time 
that Bishop Marvin came to Nodaway County, or soon after, another 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 



481 



minister of the gospel, the Rev. W. G. Caples, of the M. E. Church, did 
missionary work in Northwest Missouri, extending the field of his labor 
to Nodaway County. Mr. Caples was an earnest, sincere and eloquent 
preacher, and did much for the cause of Christianity. Bishop Marvin 
speaks of him in laudatory terms in the above letter. Mr. Caples went 
to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1852, and took charge of the M. E. Church 
South, where he remained for several years. 

Among other ministers, who officiated at an early day in the 
county, was the Rev. Shyves, who was also of the M. E. Church. 

The Rev. E. A. Carson was the first Presbyterian clergyman to 
conduct services in the county. The place where he held meetings was 
known as the Saunders' school house, located about three miles west of 
Arkoe, in White Cloud Township. Mr. Carson is a Virginian by birth, 
and now resides at Savannah., Andrew County, Missouri, at the advanced 
age of eighty years. 







CHAPTER XXXIII. 

FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF NODAWAY 

COUNTY. 

POLITICS BETWEEN 1845 AND i860— 1 AMPAION AN I' ELECTION OF 1860-THE CONDITION 
OF PARTIES— ELECTIONS OK 1862, i860 1868 .870, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880-CONCLL 1 - 
SIONS. 

FINANCES. 

Below will be found a concise statement of the finances of Noda- 
way County during the years 1850, i860, 1870, 1881, prepared by 
John Miller, the county clerk. Anything like a complete financial 
history of the county would alone fill a large volume. Did we, however, 
desire to give this history, we could not do so, as the records are too 
imperfect. What is here presented will show the financial condition of 
the county for the decades mentioned. 

Valuation of property in Nodaway County, Missouri, in the year 
1850: 

Real 'Estate $266,228 

Personal 90,819 

Total in county 357,047 

Tax for county purposes in 1850 : 

County revenue $645 

Poor fund 244 

Grand jury fund 104 

Total levy for county $993 

Valuation for year i860 : 

Money and notes $ I4°>947 

Number of slaves, 135 ; value 60,500 

All other personal property 224,989 

Total personal property $426,436 

Real Estate : 

Resident — Number acres 1 58,75 1 $ 763,224 

Non-resident— Number acres 348,440 980,945 

Total in county $2,170,605 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 483 

Valuation for 1870: 

Number of horses 7. 337 $ 406,095 

Number mules and asses 1,125 74*575 

Number neat cattle I7A9 1 264,020 

Number sheep 11,182 8,830 

Number hogs 46,024 x — 5 »75 5 

All other personal property 632,665 

Real estate $1,51 1,940 

Number acres 560,171 4, 161,1 14 

Total in county $5,673,054 

Assessed value of county for 1880: 

Number horses 14,229 $ 433,265 

Number mules 2,200 83,910 

Number asses and jennets 56 2,895 

Number neat cattle 55,249 ' 580,354 

Number sheep 25,046 27,336 

Number hogs 85,606 1 12,439 

Money, notes, bonds and ether credits 666,839 

All other personal property 506,998 

Corporate companies 7,753 

Total personal property $2,421,789 

Real estate : 

Number acres 557,1 1 1 $4,606,800 

Number town lots 5,50o 677,760 

$7,706,549 

Merchants' statements 332,95 1 

Railroad and telegraph companies 641,430 

Total valuation for 1880 $8,680,930 

An aggregate abstract of the receipts and expenditures of Nodaway 
County, Missouri, for the year ending December 31, 1881, showing the 
condition of the several funds at that date: 

I — PAUPER FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $5,261 79 

Expenditures $ 3,866 45 

Outstanding December 31, 1880 1,048 20 4,914 65 

Balance in treasury, December 31, 1881 $347 14 



484 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

2— ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $15,463 78 

Expenditures $1 1,775 °° 

Outstanding December 31, 1880 8,822 96 20,597 96 

Outstanding December 31, 1881 $5, 1 34 28 

3 — SALARY FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $ 8,717 04 

Expenditures $ 7,526 13 

Outstanding December 31, 1880 1,462 30 8,988 43 

Outstanding December 31, 188 1 $271 39 

4— JURY FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $3,092 79 

Expenditures • $ 1 ,932 30 

Outstanding December 31, 1880 666 95 2,599 2 5 

Balance in treasury December 31, 1881 $493 54 

5 — CONTINGENT FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $3,879 34 

Expenditures $ 5« 22 3 2 3 

Outstanding December 31, 1880 675 71 5,898 94 

Outstanding December 31, 188 1 $2,019 60 

6 — COUNTY ROAD FUND. 

Receipts from all sources $1,564 47 

Expenditures 1,569 66 

Outstanding December 31, 1881 $5 19 

RECAPITULATION. 

Total receipts for year ending December 31, 1881 $37,979 2I 

Total expenditures for year ending December 31, 188 1 31,892 jy 

Receipts over expenditures $6,086 44 

Moating debt December 31, 1880 ' $12,676 22 

floating debt December 31, 18S1 7,43° 46 

Reduction for the year $ 5,245 76 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 485 

BONDED DEBT. 
When due. Amount. 

September 8, 1886, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . $32,000 
September 8, 1887, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . . 8,000 
September 8, 1888, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . . 8,000 
September 8, 1889, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . . 8,000 
September 8, 1890, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . . 8,000 
September 8, 1891, at 6 per cent, int., payable semi-annually. . . 8,000 



$72,000 

Court house and jail bonds, principal and interest payable at the 
County Treasurer's office issued September 8, 188 1, sold at three per 
cent. premium. 

The above constitutes the entire bonded debt of the county. 

In relation to the floating debt of the county, the present tax levy 
made for the year 1881, will amply provide for the payment of said debt, 
and leave a handsome balance in the treasury to pay current expenses 
of the county. At this writing, January 7, 1882, the county collector has 
in his hands county revenue to the amount of over $30,000. This will 
be paid into the treasury at once, and will place our funds all in good 
shape — entirely out of debt with a good balance to start on for the 
ensuing year. 

Expenditures for 1878 : 

County expenditures $16,731 01 

For county bridges 3.447 1 1 

For county poor 613 67 



Total expenditures for 1878 $20,791 79 

Receipts for 1878 : 

County revenue $18,207 4° 

County bridges 1,377 1 ^ 

County poor fund 363 92 $19,948 50 



Expenditures over receipts $843 29 

POLITICAL HISTORY. 

" There is n mystery in the soul of state, 
Which hath an operation more divine, 
Than breath or pen can give expresions to." 

From 1845 to i860, or during the first fifteen years of the county's 
history, party politics wielded but a slight influence in the local govern- 
ment of the county. While it is true that many of the first settlers from 



486 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the earliest days, possessed well defined political views and tenets, and 
were thoroughly partisan upon all questions pertaining to national or 
state elections, an indefinite number of candidates were usually per- 
mitted to enter the race for he respective county offices, and the one 
possessed of superior personal popularity, generally led the field, and 
passed under the wire in the advance of all opponents. 

In the early days it was not at all unusual to meet the energetic 
candidate for the sheriff's office, the treasurer's office, or who aspired to 
represent his people in the State Legislature, astride his horse, going 
from settlement to settlement, to meet with the voters of his county at 
their own firesides, to sleep beneath their humble roofs, and sup with 
them at their family boards, to compliment their thrifty housewives, and 
to kiss the rising generation of little ones. 

The historian would not dare draw upon his own imagination to 
supply the stock of rich, rare and racy anecdotes, moulded and circulated 
by these ingenious canvassers, or to describe the modes and methods by 
them adopted to increase their popularity with the people. There was 
then no press, as now, to perpetuate daily events as they transpired. 
Many of the maneuvers and capers, successes and failures, with their 
pleasures and sorrows, of twenty and more years ago, in this county, are 
hidden from us by the shadows of time. Darkness intervenes between 
us and many sayings and doings of bygone days, which, could we but 
penetrate that darkness and gather them in, would shine out upon the 
pages of this history " like diamond settings in plates of lead." In vain 
have we tried through the lens of individual recollection to ferret them 
out. We could not do it. Our discouraged fancy dropped the pencil, 
and said 'twas no use. We could not paint the picture. A little conso- 
lation may be found in the lines, — 

" Things without all remedy, 
Should be without regard ; what's done, is done." 

In some of these early campaigns the various candidates for a sin- 
gle office, and sometimes those running for the different county offices, 
would travel together from settlement to settlement throughout the 
county. Every camp meeting, log raising, shooting match and even 
horse race occurring in the county during the season preceding election, 
was a favorite resort of the electioneer, and every honorable device was 
adopted by each candidate to develop his full strength at the polls. 

From 1845 to i860, no political conventions were held in the count)-. 

During this period the count}' was largely Democratic, perhaps two to 

one ; but, notwithstanding this fact, occasionally a Whig, on account of 

his fitness and popularity, was elected to office. All records and certifi- 

:s of elections held in the county prior to the year 1S60, having been 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 487 

misplaced or destroyed, it is impossible to here insert the names of the 
respective candidates who ran for office at such elections, or the number 
of votes cast on such occasions. Little more can be said of this period 
of the county's history, than to give the list of county officials, which 
has been done in succeeding pages. 

The first record of election returns preserved in the county is as 
follows : 

"Abstract of the vote cast in the county, in i860, for Congressman:" 

Candidates. Votes received. 

E. H. Norton 1,084 

John Scott 241 

Harrison Branch 10 

Total number of votes cast at this election was 1 ,335 

No record has been preserved of the votes cast for county officers at 
such election. 

Shortly after this election the civil war broke out, during which all 
political differences were forgotten, or were held in abeyance by the 
excitement generated in the friction of contending armies and military 
movements. 

The election held in the fall of 1862 will be seen in the following 
official returns : 

Official vote of county, year 1862 : 

Candidate. Office. Votes received. 

Benjamin F. Loan Congressman 589 

John P. Bruce Congressman 270 

H. B. Branch Congressman 5 

William Herren State Senator 582 

Perry H. Talbott State Senator 274 

Alonzo Thompson Legislator 585 

Stephen Morehouse Legislator 239 

*A. P. Morehouse Legislator 3 

William Swinford Sheriff 582 

N. H. Watson Sheriff 212 

John Lieber Coroner 27 

L. T. Ellis . . . ' Justice County Court 422 

J. P. Carver County Treasurer 450 

T. L. Robinson County Treasurer in 

John Lieber County Treasurer 222 

The total number of votes cast at this election was 864. 



* There was perhaps an error made in the name of the candidate; but two candidates were 
running for the Legislature at this election. 



488 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Many were absent from the county in the army r and the vote was 
thus reduced. 

No records or returns of the election held in 1864 have been pre- 
served. 

The close of the war left the county government in the hands of 
the Republican party. For the first two or three years after the war, 
little opposition was manifested against the reign of this party. 

Many citizens of the county, under the state constitution adopted 
in the year 1865, were disfranchised on account of their participation in, 
or sympathy with the rebellion. Numbers of the oldest citizens in the 
county, for several years, could not take the test oath by the state con- 
stitution made requsite to complete citizenship. The interest in gov- 
ernmental affairs of those thus situated necessarily abated. During the 
period of this political status, the Republican party held conventions 
and placed candidates in the field for the different county offices. The 
election held in the county in the fall of 1866, will be seen in the follow- 
ing official returns : 

Official vote of county, year 1866: 

Candidates. Office. Votes Received. 

Benjamin F. Loan Congressman 710 

G. A. Hawley Congressman 254 

N. Harris Congressman 3 

I. C. Parker Circuit Attorney 734 

D. Bonham State Senator 573 

S. M. Dunn State Senator 381 

William A. Jones Legislator 66$ 

B. K. Davis Legislator 329 

I. N. Wray Sheriff 590 

William Svvinford Sheriff 359 

A. J. Wray Sheriff 47 

Joseph Jackson County Clerk 8 1 8- 

J. C. Terhune Circuit Clerk 585 

Henry Graves Circuit Clerk 445 

W. L. Johnson County Treasurer 630 

John Lieber. . . County Treasurer 392 

William H. Stewart County Assessor 604 

William Allen County Assessor 311 

N. Smith County Assessor 57 

A. Royal Probate Judge 644 

J. E. Alexander Probate Judge 343 

Solomon Shell County Court Commissioner 569 

William Leeper County Court Commissioner 5/6 

P. R. Cooper County Court Commissioner 303 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 489 

Candidate. Office. Votes received. 

M. D. Nobles County Court Commissioner 357 

T. Fakes County Court Commissioner 16 

I. N. Albin School Commissioner 696 

H. J. Bickett School Commissioner 277 

John Bainum Commissioner of Registry 588 

Robert R. Patridge Commissioner of Registry 400 

George Lucas Coroner 632 

J. S. Jobe Coroner 315 

The total number of votes cast at this election was 967. Though the 
war was over, a great number of citizens of the county could not qualify 
under the registration law, then in force, and were not allowed to 
vote. 

When the campaign of 1868 opened, in the spring of that year, the 
Democracy of the county began to partake of the spirit of enthusiasm 
kindled throughout the country by the approach of the coming National 
election. Strenuous efforts were made by some of those most thoroughly 
aroused to organize the Democratic party in the county and to place it 
upon a proper footing to contend with the Republican party. 

Early in the summer A. P. Morehouse and Joseph E. Alexander 
were chosen as delegates from the county to attend the first Democratic 
State Convention which had been called in the state since the war. 

This convention was held in St. Louis. On their return all efforts 
were doubled to effect a perfect organization of the party in this county ;• 
a convention was called and a Democratic county ticket was placed in 
the field. During the summer the Democrats held a grand rally at 
Maryville, which was attended by members of the party from all parts 
of the county. Foreign speakers were procured, and every step was 
taken to arouse the partisan spirit, and effect a unity of action upon the 
part of the Democracy. 

The Republican party was also wide awake during this canvass, and 
seemed to be nettled to greater exertions by the movements of the 
opposition. This party also held a grand rally at Maryville during' the 
campaign. Though there appears to have been no well defined plan of 
canvassing the county adopted by either party, both sent speakers 
into the field to address the people. Among those who addressed the 
people in behalf of the Republican party in this canvass, may be men- 
tioned B. K. Davis, M. G. Roseberry, A. B. Cornell, Spencer, Stark and 
others. Among those who stumped for the Democracy may be named 
A. P. Morehouse, Lafayette Dawson, Stephen Morehouse, Perry H. Tal- 
bott and others. The result of this canvass is shown in the following 
official returns of the fall election : 



490 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Official vote of county, year 1868 : 

Candidate. Office. Votes received. 

tU. S. Grant President 1,104 

" :: "H. Seymour President 587 

tj. W. McClurg Governor 1 ,082 

"-John S. Phelps Governor 609 

tjoel F. Aspen Congressman 1,075 

-M. Oliver Congressman 618 

tl. C. Parker Circuit Judge 1 ,056 

*William Herren Circuit Judge 628 

IB. K. Davis Circuit Attorney 1,032 

*D. Rea Circuit Attorney 627 

tM. G. Roseberry State Senator. . . 1,063 

-"Pat Frawly State Senator 44 

|W. M. Coston State Senator 2 

;|: Vanbuskirk State Senator 4 

X Hubbard State Senator 2 

fWilliam A. Jones Legislator 1.063 

*R. G. Hubbard Legislator 614 

tjohn Ham Sheriff 1 ,000 

*Jos. M. Cooper Sheriff 655 

tSamuel Lutes County Treasurer 1,063 

-'William H. McLain County Treasurer 625 

tSpencer Starks County Assessor 1 .038 

*Elias Pitman County Assessor; 636 

fElijah Shelton County Court 1,077 

"James A. Forest County Court 611 

tS. C. McClusk. c* School Superintendent !,074 

"L. T. Ellis School Superintendent 612 

tjos. Miller County Surveyor 1,072 

^William Brady County Surveyor 619 

tl. V. McMillan County Attorney 1,072 

"H. J. Bickett County Attorney 606 

Total number of votes cast in the county at this election was 1,691. 

The Republican party elected the entire county ticket by majorities 
ranging from 345 to 466. 

Notwithstanding the defeat of 1868, the Democratic party main- 
tained its organization. In the year 1869 a Democratic paper was 
established in the county, and from this time a constant opposition was 
maintained to the party in power. 



tRepublican. ^Independent. ^Democrat. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 49 1 

Long before the opening of the campaign of 1870, mutterings of 
discontent, characteristic of Republican institutions and American citi- 
zenship, began to be heard around the borders. An element of the 
Republican party began to chafe in its stall, as it were, and long for the 
chains which bound a portion of the citizenship of state and county to 
be broken, and to put to flight forever all the advocates of political pro- 
scription. This movement was denominated the Liberal Republican 
movement. It called to its aid all men whose former political principles 
were at variance with the original Republican party. This party was 
avowedly in favor of the constitutional amendments submitted, to be 
voted upon at the election in 1870. 

The Democratic party and the Democratic paper of the county 
favored the movement, and joined with the Liberal Republicans in the 
campaign of 1870. 

A dissension arose in the ranks of the Republican party of this 
county at this time which favored the Liberal movement. A. B. Cornell, 
who at the time edited the Maryville Journal, a newspaper which had 
theretofore been the organ of the Republican party, bitterly opposed the 
constitutional amendments. This gave rise to an opposition in his own 
party, for many of the Republicans of the county favored the amend- 
ments. A new paper was established, the Maryville Republican, edited 
by M. G. Roseberry. This paper advocated the cause of the Republican 
party, yet, at the same time expressed itself in favor of the consti- 
tutional amendments. 

But two tickets were placed in the field — the Republican and Lib- 
eral Republican. The canvass was thorough and hotly contested. Both 
parties stumped the county in company with foreign speakers, who were 
pressed into the service during the electioneering season. The result of 
the election of 1870 is as follows: 

Official vote of Nodaway County, 1870: 

tj. W. McClurg Governor 1 ,000 

" :< "B. G. Brown Governor 995 

II. C. Parker Congress 994 

*J. H. Ellis Congress 986 

1-H. S. Kelley Circuit Judge 95 1 

-"Bennett Pike Circuit Judge 1,028 

Amendments to Constitution : 

For First Amendment !>749 

Against H3 

For Second Amendment 1 ,7^9 

Against ' --3 



fRepublican. *Liberal Republican. 



492 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

For Third Amendment i ,744 

Against '. 1 26 

For Fourth Amendment I > 2 44 

Against " 652 

For Fifth Amendment 1,284 

Against 623 

For Sixth Amendment. 1,788 

Against 100 

tW. A. Jones Representative of County 983 

*M. B. W. Harmon Representative of County 1,005 

tj. W. Morgan Circuit Clerk 983 

*Henry Graves Circuit Clerk 999 

tjoseph Jackson County Clerk 1 ,298 

*W. H. Smith County Clerk 677 

tl. K. Alderman Probate Judge 983 

*D. L. Palmer Probate Judge 959 

tj. F. Bainum Sheriff 840 

*I. N. Wray Sheriff 904 

{James Boling Sheriff 132 

JSamuel Robison Sheriff 88 

tH. H. Geiger Treasurer 1,057 

*Samuel Lutes Treasurer 923 

tW. Dougherty Assessor 1,038 

*G. W. Hatfield Assessor 944 

S. C. McClusky School Superintendent 1,160 

T. W. Gaunt Superintendent Registration 976 

tG. H. Sexton Coroner 938 

-Daniel Diamond Coroner 903 

The total number of votes cast at this election was 1 ,995- The 
Republican party elected seven of the county officers, and the Liberal 
Republicans elected three. All of the constitutional amendments 
carried by overwhelming majorities. 

After the election of 1870, all residents of the county could exer- 
cise the elective franchise. The Democracy assumed the organization 
effected in 1868. Many of the Liberal Republicans returned to the ranks 
of the Republican party, while not a few remained with the Democracy. 
The Maryville Republican and the Nodaway Democrat became the 
champions of the respective parties in the county. 

Though the campaign of 1872 was national in character, it was 
somewhat mild in this county. But two tickets were in the field — the 
Republican and the Democratic. A few Democrats in the county 
refused to vote for the National Democratic ticket. The two parties 

fRepublican *Liberal Republican. ^Independent. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 493 

were organized, conventions held and the canvass continued up to the 
night before the election. The result of this canvass is as follows : 

Official vote of Nodaway County, 1872 : 

tU. S. Grant •. President. 1,683 

-Horace Greeley President 1 ,483 

^Charles O'Connor President 29 

tHenderson Governor 1 ,695 

"-Woodson Governor 1,566 

tl. C. Parker Congressman 1,706 

"-Bennet Pike Congressman i,5 12 

^Perry H. Talbott Congressman 22 

tWyatt State Senator 1,683 

*Parish State Senator 1,558 

tScott K. Snively Representative 1,657 

"T. C. Ellis Representative 1 ,600 

tBeech Sheriff 1 ,666 

'^Johnson Sheriff 1,554 

tCarver Treasurer 1,698 

"-Todd Treasurer J^ 

tjackson Prosecuting Attorney. 1,680 

^Anthony Prosecuting Attorney 1,565 

tMcClusky School Superintendent 1,649 

"^Edwards School Superintendent 1,598 

tLinville Surveyor 1,690 

*Brady Surveyor 1,569 

tWood Public Administrator 1,662 

""Snyder Public Administrator 1 ,57^ 

tCox Coroner ^645 

""Trublocd Coroner 1,581 

Republican majority in the county for president was 200 ; for gov- 
ernor, 129. This party also elected every county officer at this election. 

The total number of votes cast for president was 3,195. 

The Democratic party lost none of its ardor by this defeat ; but, on 
the contrary, sought to add to its numbers and increase its strength for 
the next contest. The financial panic which took place throughout the 
country, in 1873, had a tendency to make the people distrustful of those 
in power. This fact, for the time, indicated a disintegration of the 
Republican party to some extent (that party being in power). The 
leaders of the Democracy began to take advantage of this situation of 
affairs, and to avail themselves of the opportunity to add to their party 
such as were becoming dissatisfied with the administration. 



^Republican ^Democrat. JInHv'pendent. 



494 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

An early canvass was inaugurated in the spring of 1874. Both the 
Democratic and Republican parties commenced early to gird on their 
armor for the conflict. Through central committees, the townships 
throughout the county were organized, and political tracts and docu- 
ments were conveyed into every neighborhood. The approaching cam- 
paign promised to bring with it a hand to hand struggle between these 
parties for supremacy. But a difficulty, little anticipated in the begin- 
ning, was to break the force of these two contending factions. Some 
of the Patrons of Husbandry, or friends of the Grange movement, which 
had imperceptibly grown up in the county, formed themselves into an 
Independent party. This new party marshalled to its principles a num- 
ber of the best citizens in the county, and while it seemed confined to 
certain neighborhoods, or sections of the county, the most thoughtful 
politician could not foretell what the result would be. No one could 
predict which of the two old parties would be the more affected by this 
new movement. Three county conventions were called by the parties 
thus arrayed, and for many of the county offices three candidates entered 
the field. This triangular fight had a tendency to intensify the interest 
of the Republican and Democratic parties. The canvass was long and 
warmly disputed. The end of the campaign of 1874 is as follows: 



Official vote of Nodaway County, 1874: 

-Hardin Governor 

tGentry Governor 

* Rea Congress 

(•Thompson Congress 

*Herren Circuit Judge . . 

("Kelley Circuit Judge . . 

"Updegraff Representative 

tTerhune Representative 

{Greason Representative 

-"Graves Circuit Clerk . 

(Dougherty Circuit Clerk . . 

^Hall Circuit Clerk . . 

*Lamar County Clerk . 

(Jackson County Clerk . . 

{Wilson County Clerk . . 

-"Denning Sheriff 

("Beech Sheriff 

:j;Moor Sheriff 

-Keeler Treasurer 

tMendenhall Treasurer 

-Morehouse (Stephen) Probate Judge. 



,400 
,367 

C22 
.384 

,333 
,583 
,462 

977 
488 

083 
,214 

339 
,203 

.293 
441 

.137 
.492 
306 

.577 
,302 
,291 



*Democrat, fRepublican. [[Independent. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 495 

tGrems Probate Judge 1,231 

{McMacken Probate Judge 392 

*Anthony Prosecuting Attorney l A&5 

tDavis Prosecuting Attorney 1 ,308 

*Dean Coroner 1 ,395 

tCox Coroner 1, 174 

The Democratic majority in the county for Governor was 33, for 
Congressman 138, and at this election that party elected six county 
officers, the Republicans two. 

The election was followed by much rejoicing on the part of the 
Democracy of the county. For twenty-four years this party had been 
in the minority, during which period it had been unable to elect a single 
officer. In the battle which had just ended, it had elected three to one 
of the county officers, and had established a Democratic majority in the 
county. 

Prior to the opening of the National campaign in 1876, the Inde- 
pendent party, which had figured in the county in 1874, had disbanded 
and its members had fallen back within the lines of the two National 
parties. Yet other disturbances aroused the apprehension of the 
leaders of the two parties. 

Another financial crisis was upon the country. Business failures 
were heard of throughout the land. The preceding Congress had spent 
much time in debating the financial problem, and the public mind 
seemed in a condition to center upon one single idea, how to avoid 
impending bankruptcy ? Little interest was manifested in general politi- 
cal measures. To avoid the organization of a new party in the county 
upon this single question, both the Democratic and the Republican par- 
ties, keeping consistency in view, sought the sunny side of the situation. 
As early as the 29th of April, 1876, the Chairman of the Democratic 
Central Committee issued a call to the Democracy to meet at the court 
house in Maryville, to discuss the financial question. Little was accom- 
plished by this movement other than to ascertain the differences of 
opinion existing in the minds of the members of that party upon the 
question. From that time forward, all means were adopted to bring 
about a unity of sentiment and action upon this one disturbing ques- 
tion, and to confine its discussion within the old party lines, A3 the 
canvass progressed, and partisan spirit increased, the work was more 
easily accomplished. 

After the National and State Conventions were held, the Democratic 
and Republican parties held their County Conventions, and with but two 
tickets in the field, they marched into the conflict. This was perhaps 
one of the most thorough canvasses every made in the county. Meetings 

*Democrat. j-Republicar. J Independent. 



496 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

were held in almost every school district in the county. The respective 
candidates for Representative made a joint canvass of the county, while 
other speakers were busy all directions. As in former campaigns, 
able speakers from abroad were invited to participate, and for a time 
the usual routine of business seemed to stand still while the political 
war was waging. The fight continued until the night preceding the 
election. Each party was thoroughly organized for the day of election, 
which closed the labors of the season in this county as follows : 

Official vote of county, year 1876 : 

*Tilden President 2,41 1 

tHayes President 2,213 

^Cooper President 59 

-Phelps Governor 2,403 

tFinklenburg Governor 2,238 

*Rea Congress 2,461 

tLoan Congress 2,224 

^"Parish, Thomas State Senator 2,418 

i'Davis, B. K State Senator 2,260 

-Morehouse, A. P., County Representative 2,431 

tjackson, H. M., County Representative 2,235 

*Keeler, P. J., Treasurer 2,428 

tBeech, S. R., Treasurer 2,246 

-Edwards, John Prosecuting Attorney 2,505 

t Alderman, I. K., Prosecuting Attorney 2,172 

*Cooper, J Sheriff 2,340 

tDougherty, William Sheriff 2,330 

-Paquin, J County Surveyor 2,366 

tBariteau, A. L., County Surveyor 2,313 

•Snyder, Fred., Public Administrator 2,430 

-| Andrews, Arthur Public Administrator 2,240 

" x "Phillips, Thomas Coroner 2,450 

tBaker, - — , Coroner 2,235 

Total vote cast at this election, 4,683. 

Democratic majority over Republican ticket for President, 198. This 
party also elected the entire county ticket. 

Before either of the old parties had entered upon the canvass of 
1878 the movement apprehended in the spring of 1876 was set on foot in 
the count) - . Financial embarrassments still prevailed throughout the 
length and breadth of the land. Few questions were so fully discussed 
in the Congress of the United States as the financial problem. Books, 
essays, speeches and documents of every desciption bearing upon the 
monetary system of government flooded the country. 

*Democrat. f Republican ^Independent, or Greenback 



« HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 497 

During the winter of 1877 and '78 the Greenback Standard was estab- 
lished in Maryville. A new party sprang into existence. Meetings were 
"held and the county awakened to the new situation of political affairs be- 
fore the first "movement had been made by either of the old parties. The 
■storm cloud had burst upon the political sea and the waves of excite- 
ment were running mountain high before the first mustering drum 
was heard in the old political camps. In the issue of the Nodaway Dem- 
ocrat of March 28, 1878, the Democratic Central Committee, then retir- 
ing from office, published a lengthy address to the members of that party, 
urging the voters to stay within its party lines, and maintaining "that 
all needed reforms and financial relief could be brought about earlier 
and better by and through the Democratic party than by any other polit- 
ical organization." 

This was followed by a similar movement on the part of the Repub- 
lican Central Committee of the county. 

All parties commenced to organize from that date, and the entire 
summer was spent in electioneering. Conventions were early called in 
the summer, and three full tickets were placed in the field for county 
•offices. 

The Republican party of this congressional district, failing to place 
a candidate in the field for Congress, that party, in this county, united 
with the Greenback party upon their candidate. With the exception of 
this fusion, the three parties fought in their respective intrenchments, and 
for expressed principles throughout the canvass. This canvass was bit- 
terly contested. The three parties sent their ablest workers into the 
field, and every neighborhood in the county witnessed the war of words 
and the conflict of theories concerning the moneyed interests of the coun- 
try. Like the preceding canvass, this was continued with unabated fury 
up to the election, and never in the history of the county was greater 
labor performed in one day than on the election day, in the fall of 1878. 
The following are the returns of that election : 

Official vote of county, year 1878 : 

*Rea, David Congressman 1,738 

tFord, Nicholas . Congressman 2,704 

~*Ellis County Representative 1 ,835 

TLeeper County Representative 1 ,302 

^Robinson County Representative l A^3 

"*Snyder, Fred Probate Judge 1,756 

TVinsonhaler, E Probate Judge 1,622 

$Snively, S. K . Probate Judge 1 ,278 

*Ramsay, W. W Prosecuting Attorney 1 ,883 

•fBeech, S. R Prosecuting Attorney 1,667 

*Democrat. fRepublican. ^Greenback. 

32 



498 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

{Somers Prosecuting Attorney 1,06a 

*Growney, L. J Circuit Clerk 1 ,648 

tMcClusky, S. C Circuit Clerk 1,519 

{Wright, E Circuit Clerk 1,392 

*Lamar, John County Clerk 1 ,656 

tMiller. John County Clerk 1 ,766 

{Dougherty, William County Clerk 1,182 

*Updegraff, Joseph County Treasurer 1 ,909 

tMcKee County Treasurer 1 ,446 

{Sisson, N County Treasurer 1.247 

*Linnville, James Sheriff 1,625 

■rToel, Henry Sheriff 1 ,927 

{Gill Sheriff 1,058 

*Pistole, James . . .Assessor 1.745 

tEvans Assessor 1,622 

{Motch Assessor 1,257 

*Skidmore, Joseph County Collector 1 ,805 

tHotaling, George County Collector 1,614 

{Greenlee County Collector 1 , 166 

*Phillips, Thomas Coroner 1,855 

tHull Coroner 1,565 

{Geno, John Coroner 1,163 

*Guthrie, Samuel F County Judge, at large 1,835 

t Johnston County Judge, at large 1,562 

{Barber County Judge, at large 1,218 

-Myers County Judge, First District 1,164 

tDimond County Judge, First District 92a 

{Marlin County Judge, First District 657 

*Dinsmore County Judge, Second District 674 

IThummel County Judge, Second District 591 

{McDowell County Judge, Second District 577 

The total number of votes cast in the county at this election for 
Congressman was 4,442. 

The Democrats elected eleven county officers and the Republicans 
elected two. 

The canvass and election held in 1880 was very similar to that of 
1878, differing only in the fact chat the latter was a National campaign. 
The three parties placed full county tickets in the field. The action 
of the Republican party in the Congressional race was the same as that 
of 1878. 

But one distinguishing feature appears between the two canvasses-: 
That arose in the ranks of the Republican party in its selection of dele- 

* Democrat, f Republican. J Greenback. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 499 

gates to attend the State Convention, which was to select delegates to 
attend the National Republican Convention at Chicago. 

The Republicans of the county were divided over the question of 
the candidacy of General Grant for the presidency. Some of the 
strongest followers of the "Third Term Movement" canvassed the 
county, in order to secure Grant delegates to attend the State Conven- 
tion. This aroused an opposition on the part of the opponents of Grant 
in that party, and when the County Convention was called to select the 
delegates to attend the State Convention, the two factions were present 
to contend for their respective views of the matter. The line was drawn 
in the selection of the delegates, and all anti-Grant men were chosen to 
attend the State Convention. This action of the Republican party in 
this county resulted in the selection of S. C. McClusky as one of the 
Republican delegates from this state to the Chicago Convention. Mr. 
McClusky proved true to the views by him expressed in the primaries, 
throughout the session of the Chicago Convention, casting every ballot 
in opposition to Grant and his entire state delegation. He cast every 
ballot, but the last, for Washburn. The last he cast for Garfield, who 
was nominated, and afterwards elected, President of the United States. 

The result of the election of 1880 in this county is as follows : 

Official vote of county, year 1880: 

^'Hancock President 2,484 

tGarfield President 2,301 

{Weaver President 93 0, 

^Crittenden Governor 2,48 1 

fDyer Governor 2,3 14 

{Brown . ..Governor 93°" 

*Craig, James Congress 2,340 

tFord, Nicholas Congress 3*205 

^Johnston, T. J., Circuit Judge 2,457 

tKelley, H. S., Circuit Judge 3* 1 T 4- 

*Daniel, John State Senator 2,83 1 

tDungan, State Senator 2,496 

-Anthony, C. A., County Representative 2,441 

IDunn, B. A., County Representative 2,266 

{Robinson, Ed., County Representative . . . . ' 1,017 

-Ramsay, W. W., Prosecuting Attorney 2,749 

(McMillan, I. V., Prosecuting Attorney 2,151 

{Bently, Amos Prosecuting Attorney 75^ 

"Moran, James County Collector 2,096 

tVinsonhaler, Ed., County Collector 2,580 

{LaTourette, I. V County Collector 94Q> 

-Democrat. fRepublican. JGreenbacker. ^Independent. 



$TXJ HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

*Young, James Sheriff 2,130 

tToel, Henry Sheriff 2,609 

.tMerrigan, James Sheriff 965 

"Updegraff, J Treasurer 2,609 

tMartin, H. K., Treasurer 2,057 

:[;McCoy Treasurer 1,048 

*Given, James, County Assessor 2,497 

tHarris, County Assessor 2,262 

jTrueblood, County Assessor 952 

*Paquin, J County Surveyor 2,637 

tAndrew, Arthur County Surveyor 2,181 

$Hays County Surveyor 899 

-Morehouse, Stephen Public Administrator 2.377 

tHolmes, Public Administrator 2,269 

:j;Huffman, Public Administrator 955 

^Phillips, Thomas Coroner 2,487 

tWilliams, Coroner 2,270 

+Redfield, Coroner 939 

*Myers County Judge, First District 1.499 

tBrigg County Judge, First District 1,265 

.jBurks County Judge, First District 456 

*Skidmore County Judge, Second District 995 

tDale County Judge, Second District J.077 

^Hungate County Judge, Second District 402 

For Township Organization 3.122 

Against Township Organization 1.507 

The total number of votes cast at this election for president was 
5,724 ; the Democratic majority over the Republican was 183. The Dem- 
ocrats elected seven of the count}- officers, the Republicans three. 

The last election returns show, as nearly as may here be stated, how 
the political parties in this county stand at this time, the beginning of 
1882. Few counties in any state can show a more healthful political 
condition than is presented in these few pages of history. With the 
opposing parties so evenly divided, that the slightest mistake on the 
part of one would cause its defeat at the polls, great caution has been 
exercised by the respective parties, in the selection of candidates to fill 
the different county offices. Since 1874, the county administration has 
been divided between the Republican and the Democratic parties. At 
no time since that date has either party had control of every county 
office. Though the Greenback party, in this count)', has been unable 
to overcome the opposition of the Republican and the Democratic par- 
ties at the polls, it has developed great strength, and in the election of 

*Democrat. f Republican. JGreenbackcr. jTnde] endent. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 5Ci 

1878 and 1880, was chiefly instrumental in the selection and election of 
a Greenback Congressman in the Congressional District of which this 
county forms a part. 

When we reflect upon the fact that, between the years 1870 and 
1880, the population of the county more than doubled ; that the aggre- 
gate number of votes cast in the county, increased from 1,995 in 1870 to 
5.724 in 1880, the relative positions maintained by the Republican and 
the Democratic parties appears but little less than remarkable. The 
untried element (new voters) at each election has been equally divided 
between these parties. Independent movements and the organization 
of new parties have about equally effected them. Like twin children 
they have grown up together. At no time in the past ten years have the 
leaders of either party been too sanguine of success at the polls. Party 
spirit has run high, it is true. In the midst of a canvass, when the 
barometer of hope was fluctuating between anticipated success and ' 
dreaded defeat, a few have been reckless enough to lay a wager upon 
the success of their party, but usually the vote has been counted and the 
result announced before many were certain who were elected. These 
close political contests have benefitted the county, as they do a state or 
a nation. They purify the social and political atmosphere as does the 
thunder storm the air we breathe. A spirit of energy and emulation 
are thus cultivated among the people. Public men and public transac- 
tions are watched and understood by the masses. A common interest 
is taken in the welfare of the county, and each public servant endeavors 
to excel in the public service. Chief among the leading causes which 
have contributed to bring about this wholesome situation of public 
affairs in this county may be mentioned the public press. The two 
political journals, while advocating the cause of their respective parties, 
have not hesitated to approve right conduct on the part of a political 
opponent, nor to condemn misconduct wherever observed, even in 
the ranks of their own party, while the independent press of the county 
has aimed to support merit in the political affairs and public administra- 
tion of the county throughout. 

We will offer no prophesies as to the future. Already the political 
war-horses are snuffing the breeze and are impatient for the campaign 
of 1882. 

" In knots they stand, or in a rank they walk, 
Serious in aspect, earnest in their talk; 
Factions, and favoring this or t' other side, 
As their strong fancy or weak reason .guide. * r 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

TORNADOES. 

A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO — THE HOPKINS TORNADO — LAWS GOVERNING THEIR 
MOVEMENTS. 

Nodaway County, like all prairie countries, is occasionally subject 
to high winds. Destructive winds, however, are less frequent here than 
elsewhere, on account of the native growth of timber, which still fringes 
the banks of the numerous streams in great abundance. 

A DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO. 

We clip from the Nodaway Democrat the following account of the 
disastrous tornado that swept through the southern portion of Nodaway 
County, May 29, 1879, as given originally by a reporter of the St. Joseph 
Herald : 

Yesterday morning the Herald gave an account of the disastrous 
tornado in Nodaway and Andrew Counties, but the details as to the 
amount of damage done and the number of casualties could not be ascer- 
tained at the time of writing. Accordingly the news man boarded the six 
o'clock train Friday morning, and was soon speeding away on his mis- 
sion. He arrived in Barnard in time for breakfast, and before he had 
finished his repast Dr. J. W. Heath, hearing of his arrival, had harnessed 
up his span of dashing blacks, and was in waiting at the door of the hotel 
to convey him to the field of destruction. The representative was only 
too glad to accept of the doctor's hospitality, and in a short time they 
were spinning away in a southwesterly course, toward the Nodaway 
River, where the storm first started. On the way Dr. Heath gave a 
description of its appearance when first seen by him 

The cloud was first noticed at about 4 o'clock, and resembled a dense 
volume of smoke arising from a burning building, and such it was at the 
time thought to be. It did not appear to be over two or three rods in 
width, having the shape of a funnel, spreading out to larger dimensions 
at the top. Afterwards, it seemed to spread, until it finally covered a 
strip of territory kalf a mile wide. 

Upon arriving at the point where the tornado did its first damage, 
the team was halted and a survev of the land taken. The first damage 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 503 

■done was at the farm of Dudley Messick, about nine miles northeast of 
Fillmore, in Andrew County, where it destroyed an orchard of bearing 
apple trees and blew down the fences over which it passed. 

From there the whirlwind went to the farm of David Maginnis, 
about three-quarters of a mile further on, where it literally tore a lum- 
ber wagon to pieces, but not injuring any of the buildings. The next 
farm in the track of the storm was that of James Wade, whose fences 
were completely wrecked, the pieces being scattered far and wide over 
the farm. From there the storm passed on to the farm of Mr. Lemaster 
near that of Mr. Maginnis. Here it unroofed the cow-sheds belonging 
to the place, scattering the pieces in every direction, but strange to say, 
leaving the stock unharmed in their stalls. From here the tornado 
seemed to increase in strength, its velocity becoming greater, and the 
whirling motion growing more powerful. Sweeping at the rate of nearly 
sixty miles an hour, it passed a short distance north of the house occu- 
pied by Mr. Charles Schmidt, on .the farm of George R. Montgomery, 
when it turned suddenly to the southwest and struck Mr. Schmidt's house. 

This was a small frame building, and it was totally demolished. The 
frame work seemed to have been mashed down by some heavy weight, 
and the roof rested on the top of this pile of ruins. The weather- 
boarding and shingles were scattered in every direction for several hun- 
dred yards. Mr. Schmidt was not in the house at the time the storm 
struck it, but his wife was, and when her husband made search for her 
in the ruins, he found her in a very perilous position, in a sitting post- 
ure, with a part of the roof bearing heavily upon the back of her neck 
and holding her to the ground. The fallen timbers surrounded her in 
such a manner that she could not extricate herself, and it was some little 
time before her husband could relieve her. She was then taken to the 
house of a Mr. Davis near by, where she was cared for by Dr. B. P. 
Williamson as soon as he could be called. She was seriously bruised in 
various parts of the body, and perhaps injured internally. Her injuries 
.are serious, but not supposed to be iatal. 

A team on the farm being attached to a plow a few rods from the 
house, was unhitched by the driver when the storm was seen approach- 
ing. They were picked up bodily and carried a distance of three-quar- 
ters of a mile, and set down on the ground uninjured, and in a short 
.time returned to the farm. 

The house of Mr. Schmidt, together with all the furniture and 
household goods, was a total loss, amounting to about $600. 

From Mr. Schmidt's house the storm swept around a little further to 
the southwest, and then" turned to the northwest again, circling around 
the barn of Thomas E. Smith, of Bolckow, occupied by Mr. H. Wilson, 
striking the house and demolishing it. Mr. Wilson saw the storm 
approaching and nailed the door shut, but when the house was struck 



504 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

the nails were broken like little splinters, and the door blown open and 
the room filled with the surging element. One of Mr. Wilson's little 
boys started to leave the house, when the door was forced open, and was 
blown against the fence, to which he caught and held bravely on till the 
storm was over, being found completely covered with the debris. In a 
few seconds the building, a story and a half house, was turned over on its 
side without breaking it, and then torn to splinters and the pieces 
strewn in every direction. Mr. Wilson had caught hold of a door cas- 
ing and was thus carried a distance of a hundred feet to the north, where 
he was landed, receiving several painful bruises about the head and 
shoulders. Mrs. Wilson and the children were found in the ruins, the 
lady being bruised somewhat about the head and arms. A little girl, 
about eight years old, was severely burned by the fire from the stove 
and scalded by boiling water. A little boy was hurt about the face and heda. 

Norton Geary, a young man employed by Mr. Wilson, received a few 
slight bruises. Mr. Wilson estimates the damage to his personal prop- 
erty at $250. The damage to the house will amount to about $400. 

From here the current seemed to raise from the ground, and trav- 
eled a distance of two miles and a half before doing any further damage. 
Then it dipped to the earth again, swooping down with terrific force 
upon the old Sixteen-Mile House, on the Savannah and Maryville road. 
The building was owned by Al. Dearing, of Barnard, and was occupied 
bv John W. Phelps. It was also completely demolished, and the mate- 
rial of which it was composed was more scattered than any of the former 
buildings. The house was completely blotted out of existence, not one 
stone being left upon another. On every side, timbers, boards and splin- 
ters were strewn, covering fully forty acres of territory. There was not 
a whole piece of furniture left. Stoves were broken, a sewing machine 
was torn to pieces, chairs, bedsteads, teacups, plates, saucers, all shared 
one common lot of demolition. The stable was struck alongsides and 
turned over, leaving three horses standing completely uncovered, 
while a mule, tied to the running gears of a wagon, was blown 200 
feet over a high board fence, and set down unharmed. The wagon box 
belonging to these running gears was carried off in a northwesterly 
direction over a quarter of a mile. The orchard, one of the finest in 
Nodaway County, was totally destroyed, trees a foot in diameter being 
twisted off at the ground and literally torn to pieces. 

The orchard of Mrs. Jackson, opposite, together with her house, was 
somewhat damaged. John Richardson, a son-in-law of Mrs. Jackson, was 
living in the same house with his wife and two children, and Miss Inez. 
Jackson. When they saw the storm coming they ran into the Sixteen 
Mile House, and Mr. Phelps hurried them off down the road with his own 
family, and hid them under a large hedge, and thus saved them from 
annihilation. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 505 

The next farm in the track was that of Mr. A. J. Turner, upon which 
was situated a new frame house, a story and a-half high, costing $800. 
This was picked up and carried to the east a distance of about fifty feet, 
where it was set down and literally torn to atoms. Not a whole piece of 
furniture was left in the house. The storm was seen approaching, and 
the family escaped to an old one story house, formerly occupied as a 
dwelling, and were not injured. Mr. Turner estimates his loss at $1,500. 

Here the destructive monster reached its most tremendous strength, 
sweeping on from the farm of Mr. Turner to that of Mr. Henry M. Har- 
mon, sixty rods to the northeast. The destruction at this place simply 
beggars description. Mr. Harmon's barn, a large, substantial structure, 
was first struck and shivered to pieces. The whole place was covered 
with boards, shingles and timbers. One large sill was carried a distance 
of half a mile and driven eleven feet into the ground. Mr. Harmon's 
house, a story and a-half structure, was also wiped out of existence. 
Pieces of the house and barn were strewn along the path of the tornado 
for three miles. Harmon's orchard was destroyed, together with fences, 
granaries, etc. One wagon was carried high in the air across the One 
Hundred and Two River, over three miles, and landed a total wreck. 
The family retreated into the old part of the house and escaped with 
their lives. Two of the boys were in the new barn, and one in the barn 
lot, but in some way escaped with only a few bruises. Several hogs were 
killed and one horse will die. 

At Harmon's farm the track of the storm was about fifty yards wide, 
but it spread out to a width of half a mile, and next vented its fury on 
the farm of Mrs. Goforth, tearing its way through the timber and orchard, 
and from there a mile east the timber was a mass of limbs, trees and 
saplings blown in every conceivable shape. 

The next farm visited was that of Uncle Frank Conlin. A large 
story and a-half house, built at a cost of $1,000, was wrecked, although 
not blown entirely down. Its walls stand at an angle of about forty-five 
degrees. None of the family were injured. A large granary, containing 
a large quantity of wheat and provisions, was entirely blowiraway, and 
the contents were a total loss. The contents of the house were badly 
damaged. Mr. Conlin's fine apple orchard was ruined, and the corn crib 
blown away, scattering the corn all over the place. Fence posts were 
pulled from the ground, and fencing and all carried away, no one knows 
where. His timber was also badly damaged. 

A few rods from here was a small tenement house, occupied by 
William Bowman, and it was unroofed, the damage being about fifty 
dollars. Mrs. Bowman is said to be insane from the fright given her by 
the occurrence. 

The next scene of disaster was at C. C. Robinson's house, occupied 
by Guilford Richards. This was a story and a-half structure, and it was- 



506 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

completely destroyed, nothing being leit within twenty yards of the 
foundation. The contents were also destroyed. The family were absent 
at a wool picking. They are left entirely destitute. The carpet was 
left hanging in an oak tree, eighty rods from the site of the house, and 
forty feet from the ground. Five hogs were killed, one being torn in two 
behind the shoulders. The stabling was all blown away, and a large 
amount of corn damaged. Mr. Richards' dog was picked up by the 
storm and carried over the tops of the trees for nearly a mile, where he 
was let gently down, without material injury. 

Right in this neighborhood a vest belonging to Mr. Phelps was 
picked up, with some private papers in the pocket, having been carried 
fully ten miles by the wind. 

From here the storm kept on through the timber for a distance of 
two miles, where the damage stopped and the cloud disappeared, having 
spent its force. This was within about two miles of Guilford. It was 
probably the most violent tornado that has ever visited this section, and 
it was fortunate that its course was not over any of the towns in that 
region, else there might have been great destruction of human life. 

THE HOPKINS TORNADO. 

The folloNving account of the Hopkins tornado we take from the 
Nodaway Democrat, of June 16, 1881 : 

Last Sunday, June 12, 1881, will long be remembered by many on 
account of the terrible wind-storms which occurred. The day through- 
out all this part of the country was very warm, the atmosphere being 
somewhat sultry and oppressive. In fact, it was just such a day as tor- 
nadoes might be expected. Along in the afternoon, clouds began to 
darken the horizon in different directions, the deep mutterings of thun- 
der were distinctly heard, and vivid lightning flashed back and forth 
from cloud to cloud in such a manner as to portend a much more than 
an unusual disturbed condition of the elements. 

At about three or four o'clock in the afternoon, at Maryville, after 
quite a severe gale of wind, the rain began to fall, and we were favored 
with quite'a heavy shower. About the same time, however, in different 
localities, and not many miles on either side of us, were being enacted 
quite different scenes. The winds gathered together, and with tremen- 
dous power passed through scopes or strips of country in regular tor- 
nado fashion, carrying death and destruction in their pathway. 

From reporters who visited the course of the storm in the north 
part of the county on the day subsequent to its occurring, we are 
enabled to lay before our readers the following sad intelligence of the 
fearful havoc made by the storm king. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. S°7 

The tornado occurred between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. 
It had its origin or starting point near the Lone Elm school house, in 
Atchison Township, some six miles nearly due west of Hopkins. Those 
living in the vicinity, who witnessed the storm, are of the opinion that 
there were, near this point, four different branches or wings of the tor- 
nado, each acting within a scope of its own, and doing some damage 
before all of them were drawn to one immense funnel-shaped current, 
after which everything within its course was moved with such violence 
and force as is seldom exhibited even in these great storms. These 
currents seemed to unite near the Jeffrey farm, some half mile east of the 
Lone Elm school house. One of the strands, however, before the union, 
struck down on the school house, entirely demolishing it. Another 
strand started out southwest of the place where they united. This 
strand passed just to the north of A. C. Miller's house, the edge just 
reaching to the house, tearing down the flues ar.d his outbuildings and 
some of his fencing. As before remarked, the general course of the 
tornado, after the uniting of the different currents near the Jeffrey farm, 
was from northwest to southeast. There were, however, some variations. 
From Miller's the next place was that of Scott Bland. Mr. Bland 
himself was away from home in Kansas, and the sole occupants of the 
house were his aged mother and sister, who reside with him. His sister 
saw the storm coming, and told her mother that they had better get into 
a cave just by the house. The old lady rather objected, but in a moment 
yielded to the persuasions of her daughter, and they were no sooner in 
the cave than the house was carried away, twisted up and jammed to 
pieces. Everything in its sweep, orchard, fences, outbuildings, here as 
elsewhere, was entirely swept away. 

Continuing on in a southeast direction, it next struck the place of 
Zach Davidson. His house shared the fate of others mentioned, but, 
before the general falling to pieces, was blown some ten rods across a 
ravine. He and his wife, two boys and a hired hand were in the house. 
Mr. Davidson told our reporter that about the only impression he 
remembers having while the house was being carried away, was that he 
thought he was still alive. As soon as that part of the house in which 
the members of the family were, came down, Mr. Davison remembers 
looking about to see if all were there, and the feelings of all, on learn- 
ing that not one of their number was missing or seriously hurt, can bet- 
ter be imagined than described. It was almost a miracle, and probably 
could not occur again in one case out of a thousand. His stable was 
blown all to pieces, and two horses were lifted and carried by the storm 
nearly a quarter of a mile, one of them being blown through a wire 
fence, still remaining attached by a halter to the log of the stable to 
which he had been tied while in the stable. Strange to relate, the 
horses received but little injury. Mrs Davidson was quite painfully bruised. 



508 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

The tornado next passed over a part of the farm of- Frank More- 
house, removing fences and doing other damages, as in the instances 
before mentioned. Frank went to work the following day to rebuild the 
fence. 

Its course from here was due east for half a mile down a lane. The 
north fence of the lane was entirely destroyed, not a rail or post being 
left. The south fence — wire and rail fence — was badly scattered, the 
rails being nearly all carried away and the wire badly twisted. Half a 
mile down this lane, from the point last mentioned, to the north side, 
stands a tenant house belonging to Sam. Wood, around which there' is a 
large orchard, to the west and north of which is a beautiful willow fence, 
which the storm did not hurt. A strange feature of the storm to be seen 
here is that while this willow fence remained intact, the orchard and 
house which it inclosed on the west and north, were ruined. Fine, noble 
looking trees in the orchard and some shade trees were torn out by the 
roots, limbs and branches twisted off, the house demolished, and the 
fence to the south blown away, and yet the willow fence was left appa- 
rently without injury. 

Its course from here was southeast down a hollow or draw for about 
half a mile. It took the stable and barn of Sam. Wood in its sweep, and 
made a fearful pathway through about thirty acres of splendid timber. 
His house was just without the south edge of the storm, and the princi- 
pal injury it sustained was the blowing down of flues. 

Less than half a mile east from here is the farm and residence of 
John Graybill. The house was destroyed, orchard, fencing and every- 
thing within the scope of the all-powerful whirling wind. At this point 
a stone which would have made a good lift for three men was carried a 
distance of some thirty feet. Mr. Graybill's family were badly injured, 
as will be seen in the list of the injured. 

From here the tornado bore rather southeast. While the portrayal 
so far is sad and most gloomy, yet we now come to the point where 
death outright was wrought. Mr. James Young and wife, a couple 
somewhat aged, together with their family, lived probably a half mile 
from Mr. Graybill. The family were absent with the exception of the 
aged pair. Here the tornado struck in all its force and fury, seemingly 
determined to even outdo all it had previously done. The house was 
demolished, the old gentleman and lady being blown away some dis- 
tance. Mr. Young was found some fifty yards from the house in a patch 
of brush. The wind snatched from the poor old body every shred of 
clothing except a little piece of one pant leg. Both legs were broken, 
both arms broken, a gash cut across his forehead, and something struck 
him so that his entrails protruded. In the sudden fury and unrelenting 
violence of the storm, while his mortal frame was being thus badly 
mutilated, his spirit, let us trust, passed tranquilly into the presence of 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 509 

its Maker, where storms never come. What a sight it must have been 
to those who first discovered his body. Mrs. Young was blown in a 
somewhat different direction, and was severely injured, probably fatally. 

The next work of destruction, so far as buildings were concerned, 
was the McMackin Mill, on the One Hundred and Two River. This was 
formerly the Jones Mill. It was made an entire wreck. Three young 
men were in the upper story at the time, and how they escaped is a 
mystery to themselves as well as to others. 

Crossing the river, its course was still southeast, and while it did 
great damage to timber, fences, etc., it seems not to have struck any 
houses. 

As showing the tremendous power of the wind, it is only necessary 
to allude to the fact that on its course it was noticed in several places 
that posts were twisted right out of the ground and carried away. Iron 
beam plows were seen with the beams terribly twisted. Fearful and 
terrible indeed are such storms, not only because of the destruction of 
property, but on account of the loss of human life. All who saw the 
course of this one agreed on the fact that its width was not uniform, but 
that it spread out at some points in its course much wider than at 
others. The edges were well defined, and the indications point to the 
greatest severity in the center. Its track was from one hundred yards 
to a quarter of a mile in width, and its length west of the One Hundred 
and Two some three or four miles. East of that stream it also con- 
tinued two or three miles, but with less force, and from the situation and 
surface of the country, with much less damage, according to all reports 
which we have been able to gain. 

One feature noticeable along the track of the wind was that almost 
everything that was left was bedaubed with mud. It doubtless gathered 
up the mud made by the rain off of the ground and hurled it through 
the air, thus sending it against everything in its way. 

This is probably the severest storm which ever passed over any 
part of our county, as it is thought to surpass the one in the south part 
a year or two ago, and we hope it will never devolve on us again to 
chronicle another so dreadful and destructive in its consequsnces. 

The killed and wounded were: James Young, aged about sixty, 
killed outright. 

Mrs. Young, aged about fifty, forearm fractured and badly cut about 
the head. 

Susan Goodin, aged about fifty, leg and collar bone fractured. 

John Graybill, aged about forty, spine injured and bruised about 
head and shoulders. 

Susan Graybill, aged fifteen years, arm fractured and two ribs 
broken. 

Clark Graybill, aged eight years, collar bone fractured. 



5 IO HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

Jack Graybill, aged six years, collar bone broken. 

Maggie and Alice Graybill, twins, aged three years, badly bruised. 

The following physicians were in attendance on Monday, and did 
all in their power to alleviate the sufferers : Drs. Hackedorn and E. T. 
Moore, of Maryville ; Drs. Gerard, Hughes and Sergeant, of Hopkins, 
and Dr. Wallis, of Pickering. 

The general meteorological disturbance of June 12, 1881, resulted in 
several other tornadoes, one at Rosendale, Andrew County, and three in 
Gentry and DeKalb Counties. 

The following letter written by C. P. Smith, formerly of Maryville, 
but now residing near Rosendale, to his brother, Lawrence Smith, of 
Maryville, gives the paiticulars of the havoc done in that locality, with 
some account also of the appearance of the storm. The following is the 
letter: 

Rosendale, June 12, 1881. 

Brother Lazvrence : As this Sunday evening will be memorable on 
account of the cyclone which passed near us, and as I was an eye witness 
to it, I thought I would write you some of the particulars. About 4:30 
Father and Mother Rush, my wife and I, were standing on our front 
porch when we saw the storm coming. It passed within a hundred yards 
of us, filling the air with fence rails, tops of trees and parts of buildings. 
The sufferers in our neighborhood are as follows : Kellogg's large brick 
house, west of the One Hundred and Two River, two stories high, the 
upper story was entirely torn off, and the barn and outbuildings were 
swept away. Jerry Holt's large two story house was thrown from its 
foundation and turned about one-third round. It tore off the roof and 
demolished the whole inside of the house. Those of the family at home 
took refuge in the cave. Miss Cornelia Holt was at my house. The 
next were two small houses owned by the Masons, and occupied by fam- 
ilies by the name of Cook and King. These buildings were swept away, 
wounding Mrs. King and a young man named Sypse. The houses of 
John Parker and Joseph Bradford were next, which were swept away. 
Several hogs were here killed in a pasture. The next sufferer is William 
Jones, living on John McLaughlin's farm. Everything here was swept 
clean, and nothing saved but two horses. The family took refuge about 
one hundred yards from the house. A large bridge was here torn up. 
By the way, the Parker and Bradford families took refuge in their cellars. 
The next place was that of William Roberts, where everything was swept 
clean. Family not at home. It actually sucked the water out of his well, 
which is fifty feet deep. The next place it came to was George Roberts. 
It swept off his buildings, killing his wife and two children. This is 
through a scope of country of about seven miles. The cyclone was about 
thirty rods wide, and everything in its track is demolished. No rain fell. 
We could feel a terrible heat. In the center of the funnel was a large 
ball of fire. CHARLES P. SMITH. 

As tornadoes would be robbed of much of their terror if people were 
generally better informed in regard to them, we give a concise statement 
of the laws governing their movements. Both tornadoes and cyclones 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 5 I I 

find their origin in the cosmical conditions of the globe, but are modified 
by secondary causes. A tornado is a storm on the land which has three 
movements, a linear, circulatory and vibratory or swaying movement. 
A cyclone is a similar storm on the ocean, originating in the torrid zone, 
and has a linear and circulatory movement, and passes on a parabolic 
curve, probably caused by the trade winds. A tornado will average 
from a few rods to half a mile in width, and expend its forces, and run 
its course in a brief period of time, often doing its damage in a few min- 
utes, and seldom exceeding an hour. A cyclone will average from a few 
miles to five hundred miles in width, and pass from the neighborhood of 
the West Indies northwesterly, near the east Atlantic coast, and bending 
eastward in its course sweep on for several days, sometimes over a path 
three thousand miles in length. The laws and movements of cyclones 
have been thoroughly studied, and directions are now given by enlight- 
ened countries so that ships avoid them. Tornadoes are not exceptional 
in their nature, and when thoroughly understood will be rendered com- 
paratively harmless. Tornadoes, when not deflected by surface currents 
from their course, move eastward by about twenty degrees north — a fact 
to be remembered by every one who values his life. 

In northern latitudes tornadoes revolve in a direction contrary to the 
hands of a watch, in southern latitudes in the opposite direction. The 
swaying or vibratory movement is due to obstacles in the path, like hills 
and forests, which oppose and deflect the storm north of the equator. 
Currents from the north rushing in toward a center, passing over parallels 
of latitude constantly increasing in diameter, fall behind and pour into 
the revolving storm west of the center ; currents from the south for a 
similar reason, pour into the storm east of the center. These two forces 
cause the whirl or circulatory movement. The linear movement is 
probably caused by the tornado being constantly fed by the northwest 
current from the regions of the upper air flowing downward into the 
tornado. 

Now, if tornadoes move east by about twenty degrees north, one can 
escape when they approach by running north or south, as the case may 
be. Some persons not knowing this fact have run directly into the tornado 
and been killed. It is well also to remember tornadoes occur late in the 
afternoon, when the atmosphere is sultry, and in this latitude on the last 
few days of May, or the first few days of June, being drawn backward or 
forward, as the season is early or late, and that they are increased in 
intensity proportionally as the season is dry. Tornado caves are a safe- 
guard in prairie countries. The only effectual remedy for tornadoes is 
found in planting forests, which dfrive these terrible storms into the 
upper air. Tornadoes seldom do much damage in forest states. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

OFFICIAL RECORD. 

CIRCUIT JUDGES. 

Solomon L. Leonard, 1845; William S. Almond, 1846; Elijah H. 
Norton, 1856; Silas Woodson, i860; William Herren, 1864; I. C. Parker, 
1869; Bennett Pike, 1871 ; Henry S. Kelley, 1874; Henry S. Kelley, 1880, 
present incumbent. 

CIRCUIT ATTORNEYS. 

I. N. Jones, 1846; L. Archer, 1849; James Craig, 1852 ; J. M. Bas- 
sett, 1857; Joseph P. Grubb, 1862; I. C. Parker, 1864; Jeff. Chandler, 
1866; B. K. Davis, 1868. The office of Circuit Attorney was abolished 
before the term of B. K. Davis expired. 

COUNTY ATTORNEYS. 

J. P. Crew, appointed, 1867; I. V. McMillan, 1868 ; H. M. Jackson 
1870; H. M. Jackson, 1872; Cyrus A. Anthony, 1874; John Edwards 
1876; W. W. Ramsay, 1878; W. W. Ramsay, 1880. 

CIRCUIT CLERK. 

Amos Graham, 1845 ; James B. Prather, i860; J. C. Terhune, 1862 : 
J. C. Terhune, 1864; J. C. Terhune, 1866; Henry Graves, 1870 ; Henry 
Graves, 1874 ; L. J. Growney (term of office expires in 1882), 1878. 

COUNTY CLERKS. 

Amos Graham, 1845; B. G. Ford, i860; Joseph Jackson, 1866; 
Joseph Jackson, 1868; Joseph Jackson, 1870; Joseph Jackson, 1874; 
John S. Miller, 1878 ; John S. Miller, 1880. 

JUSTICES COUNTY COURT. 

1845 — Thomas A. Brown, James M. Fulkerson, John Lowe. 
1846— Thomas A. Brown, John Lowe, William Hutson. 
1847 — Thomas Adams, Gillim Baley, William McDowel. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 513 

1848 — William Ingles, Peter Loar, William McDowel. 

1850 — J. W. Beckett, Adam Terhune, Joel Hedgepeth. 

1852 — Adam Terhune, Joel Hedgepeth, Moses Stingley. 

1854 — Hiram Elliott, William V. Smith, William Emerson. 

1856— William V. Smith, Henry Neal, Ambrose Cain. 

1858 — Thomas A. Brown, Stephen Morehouse, Jacob Vinsonhaler. 

i860 — Stephen Morehouse, Thomas A. Brown, William V. Smith. 

1862 — John Wray, T. D. Wallace, J. E. Alexander. 

1864— T. D. Wallace, L. T. Ellis, M. D. Nobles. 

1866— T. D. Wallace, L. T. Ellis, M. D. Nobles. 

1868 — Andrew Royal, William Leeper, Elijah Shelton. 

1870 — A. Terhune, William Leeper, Elijah Shelton. 

1872 — A. Terhune, William Brady, William R. Hays. 

1872— John M. Bell, S. L. McDowell, R. B. Linnville, Wm. W. Wray, 
Alex M. Hulse, E. George, M. Skidmore, John A. Mendenhall, James 
Wakefield, J. W. Houghtaling, Rufus McMackin, C. Farnean, M. D. 
Nobles, C. W. Hardesty. The above were elected June 4, 1872. Sam- 
uel McFarland was appointed in lieu of R. B. Linnville, elected county 
surveyor. 

Elected April, 1873— C. L. McDowell, Samuel McFarland, Wm. 
M. Pistole, Alex. Gray, C. W. Hardesty, E. George, Marteny Skidmore, 
John A. Mendenhall, James M. Clizer, Samuel Phillipps, Rufus McMackin, 
C. Farnan, M. D. Nobles, John M. Bell. 

Elected July, 1873 — S. T. Kennedy, Martin Landfather, Amos B. 
Bentley, Stephen K. Wray, and C. W. Hardesty. 

Elected April, 1874 — Same court as above, except John M. Bell, in 
lieu of S. K. Wray. 

1876 — Same as above, except Ed. Donlin, elected April, 1876, in 
lieu of Amos B. Bentley. 

July 28, 1877 — Samuel T. Kennedy, Martin Landfather, and Ed. 
Donlin appointed by the Governor. 

Elected November, 1878 — Samuel F. Guthrie for four years, F. B. 
Dinsmore two years, and C. M. Myers two years. 

November, 1880 — C. M. Myers and Judge Dale elected for two years 
each, Judge Guthrie holding over. 

From 1878 the county was divided into two districts, one judge 
being elected at large, the judge at large holding for four years, the 
■others hold for two years each. 

From 1873 up to 1878 the county was divided into four districts, 
one judge being elected at large. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

A. Royal, 1866; I. K. Alderman, 1870; Stephen Morehouse, 1874; 

Frederick Snyder, 1878. 

33 



514 HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 

SHERIFFS. 

Bartlett Curl, 1845; C. S. Burns, 1847; James Pennington, [850; S. 
M. Juster, 1855 ; James R. Prather, 1856; B. F. Torrance, 1858 ; Thomas 
J. McQuiddy, i860; T. K. Beal, 1861 ; William Swinford, 1862; J. E. 
Alexander, 1864; I. N. Wray, 1866; John Ham, 1868; I. N. Wray, 1870; 
Scribner R. Beech, 1872; Scribner R. Beech, 1874; Joseph M. Cooper, 
1876; Henry Toel, 1878; Henry Toel, 1880. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

John Jackson, 1845 ; Peter Loar, appointed October 4, 1847 ; John 
Jackson, 1848; A. T. Jenkins, appointed 1855 ; W. J. W. Bickett, i860 ; 
J. P. Coover, 1862; J. P. Coover, 1864; W. L. Johnson, 1866; Samuel 
Lutes, 1868; H. H. Geiger, 1870; Henry M. Carver, 1872; Patrick J. 
Keeler, 1874; Patrick J. Keeler, 1876; Joseph Updegraff, 1878; Joseph 
Updegraff, 1880. 

ASSESSORS. 

David McCarty (resigned, Elhanan Reinhart appointed), 1845 J 
James L. Ray, 1847; Dyer Cash, 1850; Isaac Harris, 1851; John F. 
Davis (resigned, Jas. Pennington appointed), 1853 > Benjamin F. Sims, 
1855 ; Arch Graham (removed from office, L. T. Ellis appointed), i860; 
A. P. Craven (elected August, i860), i860; James A. Forrest, 1862; A. 
C. Votaw (appointed September 9, 1862, resigned 1865). 1862 ; L. T. 
Ellis (appointed May 13, 1865), 1865 ; John M. Busby, 1866 ; William H. 
Stewart (elected in 1866), 1866; Spencer Stark, 1868; William Daugh- 
erty (no assessor for county until 1877 — township assessors between 
these dates), 1870 ; Lawrence J. Growney (appointed August 6, 1877), 
1877 ; James C. Pistole (elected), 1878 ; James M. Given, 1880 (elected, 
but did not serve on account of county organization going into effect). 

CORONERS. 

The record prior to i860 is imperfect. 

John Lieber, i860; John Leiber, 1862 ; 1864; George 

Lucas, 1866; Thomas Wright, 1868; G. H. Sexton, 1870; Robert Cox, 
1872 ; John Dean, 1874 ; Thomas Phillips, 1876 ; Thomas Phillips, 1878 ; 
Thomas Phillips, 1880. 

COUNTY COLLECTORS. 

James W. Lamar, appointed Agust 5, 1877; P. J. Keeler, appointed 
March 5, 1878 ; Joseph Skidmore, elected in November, 1878 ; Ed. Vin- 
sonhaler, elected in 1880. 

Previous to 1873 the sheriff acted as collector. From 1873 the 
treasurer was collector. 



HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY. 
SURVEYORS. 



515 



Green McCafferty, appointed 1845. (Record from 1845 to 1864, 
imperfect.) Nathan Goslee, 1864; Joseph Miller, 1868; R. B. Linnville, 
1872 ; Joseph Paquin, 1876; Joseph Paquin, 1880. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

Thomas A. Brown, 1846 ; W. Cock, 1848; Thomas A. Brown, iS5cr; 
Joseph Nickols, 1852 ; Dr. P. H. Talbott, 1856; Dr. F. T. Davis, 1858; 
Amos Graham, i860 ; Alonzo Thompson, 1862 ; Josiah Coleman, 1864- 
Wm. A. Jones, 1866 ; William A. Jones, 1868; M. B. W. Harmon, 1870;; 
Scott K. Snively, 1872 ; Joseph Updegraff, 1874 ; A. P. Morehouse, 1876;; 
Dr. T. B. Ellis, 1878 ; C. A. Anthony, 1880. 

SENATORS. 

Ed. Celly ; General R. A. Wilson, 18 — ; William Herren, 1862 ; P. 
A. Thompson, 1864; D. Bonham, 1866 ; M. G. Roseberry, 1868 ; A. E. 
VVyatt, 1872 ; Thomas Parish, 1876 ; T. C. Dungan, 1880. 







THE THREE STAGES OF TRANSPORTATION. 



BIOGRAPH ICAL. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 



JOHN APPLEBY. 



farmer, section 4, post office Elmo, is a native of New York, and 
was born in Onondaga County, January 10, 181 5. When about four 
years of age, with his parents, he moved to Cayuga County, where he 
was reared and educated, being brought up on a farm. He has made 
farming his occupation during life. In 185 1, he moved to Jo Daviess 
County, Illinois, and in 1875, came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where 
he has since resided. His farm contains forty acres. He is a member 
of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Appleby was married 
in December, 1835, to Miss Louisa Annable, who was born in Saratoga 
County, New York, May 6, 1813. When a child she moved to Cayuga 
County, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. A. have a family of six 
children : Melissa, John, Silas, Leonard, Emerson, and Cecelia. 

GEORGE W. ATHERTON, 

farmer, section 19, post office Elmo, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
October 2, 1836, and was reared on a farm, and has made farming his 
occupation during life. In the fall of 1853, he moved to Lee County, 
Iowa, where he resided until the spring of 1866, when he came to his 
present location, now owning a farm of one hundred acres. Mr. Ather- 
ton has been twice married. First, in March, 1862, to Miss Rebecca J. 
Price, who was born in Indiana. She died January 2, 1871. They had 
five children : Ida I., born December 6, 1862 ; Cora E., born April 4., 
1864; Annie, born March 4, 1866 ; Edwin, born July 4, 1869, and Willie, 
born November 30, 1871. Mr. A. was again married June 21, 1875, to 
Miss Eveline Price, a sister of his first wife. She was born in Lee 



5 18 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

County, Iowa, September 20, 1858. They have two children ; Marion, 
born January 19, 1876, and Arthur, born September 20, 1879. 

WILLIAM M. ATHERTON, 

of the firm of Scott & Atherton, merchants, is a native of Ohio, and was 
born in the town of Lancaster, April 12, 1856. When three years of age, 
his parents moved to Dayton, Kentucky, where they remained three 
years, then moving to Cincinnati, where William grew to manhood. He 
was educated "in the schools of that city, and when eighteen years old, 
he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Cincinnati till the 
fall of 1878, when he wended his way to the west, making Nodaway his 
destination. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits till the fall of 1880, 
when he began buying grain in Elmo for N. J. Stratton, which he has 
since continued. In August, 1881, he embarked in the mercantile trade 
as one of the firm of Scott & Atherton. They do a large business, are 
excellent business men, and well thought of in the community. Mr. A. 
was married August 15, 18S1, to Miss Catharine Colvin, of this county. 

E. M. BAILEY, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 15, post office Elmo. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Burke County, North Carolina, February 22, 1842, and 
when he was but a boy his parents, Joel and Nancy (Kerley) Bailey, 
moved to Platte County, Missouri, where they resided till 1856, then 
coming to Nodaway County. There E. M. was educated, being reared 
as a farmer boy, and he has made farming and dealing in stock his occu- 
pation during life. In August, 1861, he entered the Confederate service 
in Company B, Third Missouri Cavalry, remaining in this company till 
about 1864, when he was taken prisoner, but was afterwards released. 
He then joined Company F, Second Missouri Artillery of the Federal 
cause, and continued to serve till June, 1865. Mr. B. now has a landed 
estate of 280 acres, his home farm containing 160 acres. He has held 
the office of constable three terms, and is now deputy sheriff of the county. 
He participated in the hanging of the Talbott brothers, and also had 
been guarding the jail against the suspected mob. He is a member of 
Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. B. was married March 20, 
1866, to Miss Barbara A. Pruett, a native of Illinois. They have five 
children : Ervin A., William F., Charley L., Mary F. and James B. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are members of the Church of God. 

S. A. BALES, 

farmer, section 24, post office Elmo, is a son of Daniel and Mary 
(vTrobaugh) Bales, the former of Tennessee, and the latter of Virginia. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 519 

S. A. was the fourth in a family of eight children, and was born in 
Greene County, Tennessee, September 21, 1832. He was reared and 
educated in his native county, and, in 1848, with his parents, he 
moved to Illinois, and located in Coles County, where he resided till 

1857. He then went to Coffee County, Kansas, and, in 1868, moved to 
Macon County, Illinois, and, in 1871, came to Nodaway County Mis- 
souri, where he has since resided. He has made farming his occupation 
during life, and now owns a farm of 150 acres. In 1862, Mr. B. enlisted 
in Company F, Twelfth Kansas Infantry, and remained in service nearly 
three years. He has been twice married. First, March 23, 1854, to 
Miss Angeline Woodard, who was born in Indiana, December 17, 1836. 
She died August 27, 1868. They had four children, three of whom are 
now living: Minerva, born January 9, 1855 ; John R., born February 13, 

1858, and Elmer E., born March 27, 1861. Mr. B. was again married 
March 9, 1874, to Mrs. Minerva J. McCord, a daughter of Henry and 
Rachael (Williams) Scott, both of Pennsylvania. Mrs. B. was born in 
Franklin County, Indiana, August 3, 1837, and when seven years of age 
her parents moved to Lee County, Iowa, where she was married to 
William H. McCord, on September 20, 1857. He was born in Cass 
County, Illinois, January 8, 1835, and died September 20, 1868. They 
had six children, four of whom are now living : Ida J., born August 16, 
1858; May F., born April 30, i860; William E., born March 21, 1862, 
and David A., born January 29, 1864. Previous to the death of Mr. 
McCord, in the year 1865, they moved to Nodaway County, Missouri. By 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bales there is one child, Maggie E., born 

April 16, 1874. 

WILLIAM BALES, 

blacksmith, Elmo, was born in Knox County, Tennessee, May 14, 185 1, 
and when a child, with his parents he moved to Iowa and located in 
Appanoose County, where he was reared. When twenty years of age, 
he learned the blacksmith trade in the town of Livingston, which he 
followed till 1875, when he embarked in the mercantile trade for two 
years. In 1879, he went to Kansas, remained a short time, and then 
returned to Iowa, and again resumed his trade in College Springs. In 
1880, he came to his present location. Mr. Bales has been twice mar- 
ried. First, June 1, 187 1, to Miss Celestra Maddox, of Appanoose 
County, Iowa, who died July 27, 1875. They had two children, one of 
whom is now living : Hattie M. Mr. B. was again married August 26, 
1877, to Miss Mary F. Ketter, who was born in Adams County, Illinois, 
in October, 1859. They have two children: Ollie P., and Albert L. 

CHARLES BARRATT, 

farmer, section 29, post office Elmo, is a native of England, and was 
born in the town of Liddington, Rutlandshire, February 3, 1830. He 



520 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was reared in his native town, receiving the advantage of a good school' 
education. His father being a merchant and proprietor of a bakery, 
Charles learned the trade of baking, which he followed while in Eng- 
land. In August, 1850, he was married to Ann Wright, and in the fol- 
lowing spring they emigrated to America, landing at New York, and 
locating in Racine County, Wisconsin, where Mr. B. was engaged in 
tilling the soil till i860. At that time he became a citizen of Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and has since been engaged in his present occupation. 
He has a finely improved farm of 320 acres. In the spring of 1861, he 
enlisted in the Federal cause in Company C, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, 
remaining in service two years and six months. During this time he 
was regimental baker, and his wife and two adopted children were with 
him for two years, when, on account of his wife's failing health he was 
released and returned home. Mrs. Barratt was born in the same county 
as her husband, the date of her birth being 182 1. They have no child- 
ren of their own, but have raised two orphan children : Sarah J. (now 
Mrs. Price), and Nellie (now Mrs. Joy). 

JOSEPH M. BANGS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, post office Braddyville. Was born in 
Hillsdale County, Michigan, August 10, 1837, and was raised and educated 
in his native county. In 1857, he went to Minnesota, where he remained 
three years, then returned to Michigan, and in a short time located in 
Page County, Iowa. In i860, he took a trip to the mountains, where he 
was engaged in mining, and after making two journeys to the mountains 
and one to Michigan, he returned to Page County, Iowa. In the spring 
of 1866, he came to his present location. He now has a farm of i60' 
acres, which is well improved. He. is an Odd Fellow and member of 
College Springs Lodge, No. 228. Mr. Bangs was married June 2, 1862, 
to Miss Christena Webster, of the same county as himself. They have 
two children : Charles H. and Herman M. 

HENRY F. BARKER, 

notary public and justice of the peace ; also of the firm of Colvin & 
Murphy, lumber dealers, Elmo. The subject of this sketch is a son of 
William R. and Sarah (Fairwell) Barker, the former of New Jersey, and 
the latter of New York. Henry was born May 1, 1836, and is a native 
of New York. He was educated in the Brockport schools, and while 
there acted as clerk in the post office, but had resided in Rochester since 
he was ten years of age He was there employed in the post office ♦'ill 
eighteen years of age, when he was engaged in traveling rill the fall of 
1857. He returned to New York, and in the spring of 1.858, went to. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 52 1 

Illinois, and was there occupied in farming till the spring of 1862. At 
that time he enlisted in Company F, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and 
November 3, 1863, ne was appointed as first lieutenant ; he also acted as 
commissary sergeant and as company clerk till the close of the war, 
when he returned to Illinois. In the fall of 1867, he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, where he has since resided, being engaged in various 
occupations. He was the first to build a house in the town of Elmo, and 
since that time has been engaged in his present business. In 1865, Mr. 
B. was elected township collector for one year, and in the following 
spring was elected as a justice of the peace, which position he has since 
continued to hold. In January, 1876, he was qualified as notary public. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Barker has been twice married. 
First, May 16, 1858, to Miss Marcia Dunn, of Monroe County, New York, 
who died June 22, 1858. He was again married May 1, 1865, to Miss 
Mary George, of Fayette County, Illinois. They have two children : 
William E. and Clara O. 

REV. THOMAS BENNETT, M. D., 

section 31, post office Braddyville. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of England, and was born in Bedfordshire, within forty-five miles of Lon- 
don, on April 15, 1808. He was educated in his native land, and when 
fifteen years of age, he chose the practice of medicine for a profession. 
In the year 1827, he embarked for America, and at that time was 
appointed surgeon of the vessel on which he took passage. He landed 
at Philadelphia, and was located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, for 
one year, when he settled in Pottsville, Schuylkill County, for about three 
years. He then went to Philadelphia, where he was married to Miss- 
Rachel Metcalf, of Pennsylvania. After residing there for six months, 
he immigrated to Clinton County, Illinois, and in 1862, moved to Mont- 
gomery County, where he resided till the spring of 1880, when he came 
to his present location. The doctor has been engaged in the practice of 
his profession since he came to America, and has met with a considera- 
ble degree of success. In the year of 1879, he received a diploma from 
the State of Illinois for the practice of his profession. He has also during 
life been engaged in the ministry, and is now a minister of the Christian 
Church. His first wife died in the year 1874. They had nine children,, 
four of whom are living: Samuel, Joseph, Nathan and Thomas. Dr. B. 
was again married, on June 2, 1875, to Mary Starkweather, whose maiden 
name was Lyons. She was born in Matoupin County, Illinois, Novem- 
ber 28, 1834. 

JACOB BOONE, 

farmer, section 29, post office Elmo, was born in Frederick County,. 
Maryland, January 29, 1822, and when but five years of age he emi- 



522 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

grated with his parents to Guernsey County, Ohio, in which location he 
was reared and educated, improving his useful time on a farm. In 
1845, he located in Hannibal, Missouri, where, for a period of eight 
years, he was engaged in running a wood yard on the Mississippi River. 
He was a resident of Hannibal and vicinity till the beginning of the 
war, when, in the latter part of 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty- 
first Missouri, continuing in service till the close of the war, when he 
was honorably mustered out, having participated in many important 
battles. He then went to Boone County, Indiana, where he remained 
two years, then removing to Tama County, Iowa, and in the spring of 
1869, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. 
His landed estate consists of 145 acres, most of which is improved. 
Mr. Boone acted as constable of the township for one year under the 
township organization. He was married April 22, 1866, to Miss 
Malinda J. Davis, who was born in Boone County, Indiana, September 
26, 1843. They have had six children, five of whom are now living : 
Cornelia, Cora I., Mary C, Elizabeth, and Arminda. 

MRS. MARIA BOWMAN, 

section 12, postoffice Dawson, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, June 
3, 1829. In the year 1852, her parents moved to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and located on the farm where she now resides, the land having 
been entered at that time. Her father, Abraham, and her mother, 
Susan (Hamer) Hagey, now reside in Green Township, of this county. 
Mrs. B. was educated in Ohio, and in October, 1855, she was married to 
Henry Bowman, a native of Indiana. He was born February 4, 1837, 
and came to Missouri about 1840, residing in Platte County till 1844, 
when he came to Nodaway County. Here he died, February 7, 1866. 
Their family consisted of five children, four of whom are now living : 
John W., Susan J., Missouri A. and Sarah C. Mrs. B., since the death 
of her husband, has carried on agricultural pursuits, and now has a farm 
of 220 acres. During the past year she built a very fine residence, 
which adds much to the appearance of the farm. At the death of Mr. 
B. he left a farm in Green Township for his family, which is undivided. 
Mrs. Bowman is a member of the Christian Church. 

J. C. BREWRINK, 

farmer, section 27, post office Elmo, is a native of Holland, and was 
born May 19, 1838. When eight years of age he came to America and 
was located in St. Louis for two years, when he went to Sangamon 
County, Illinois, where he resided till 1871. At that time he came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri. He has made farming his occupation dur- 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 523 

ing life and now has a landed estate of 240 acres. Mr. B. was married 
November 21, 1868, to Miss Sarah Cheesman, who was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1847. When twelve years of 
age she went to Sangamon County, Illinois, where she was married. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brewrink have three children, Georgia E., born January 
26, 1871, and William L. and Mable L., twins, born September 21, 1879. 

STEPHEN BROWN, 

farmer, section 14, post office Elmo, is a native of Indiana, and was 
born in Sullivan County, February 4, 1853. When a child with his 
parents he moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, where they resided for 
seven years, when they located in Van Buren County. When he 
attained the age of sixteen years, they settled in Page County, and in 
1873 Mr. B. came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He now has a farm 
of eighty acres. He was married March 16, 1874, to Miss Sarah O. 
Cunning, who was born in Humboldt County, Ohio, in September, 1855. 
They have had three children, two of whom are living : Dora M. and 
Olive M. 

H. BURNETT, 

dealer in general merchandise, also proprietor of the Burnett Mill, Daw- 
son, was born in Duchess County, New York, July 2, 1827, and when 
seven years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, Michigan, where 
they resided one year, then moving to St. Joseph County, Indiana. After 
remaining there two years they located in Jefferson County, Iowa, where 
H. Burnett grew to manhood. He was reared as a farmer boy, and in 
1847, he went to Warren County, Iowa, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing till about 1853, when he began the milling business. This he has 
since continued. In 1856, he settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, where 
he has since resided, except for four years, during which time he was in 
Atchison County. His present mill was built by him in the year 1870. 
In 1880, Mr. Burnett began in the mercantile trade at Dawson, and has 
since been doing a leading business. He was postmaster during the 
existence of the City Bluffs post office, which was for seven years, and 
was also postmaster in Dawson for a period of time. He is a member of 
Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. B. was married January 14, 
1849, to Miss Mercy A. Whitton. She was born May 2, 1833, and is a 
native of Maine. They have had twelve children : Henry C, William 
H., Lafayette N., Willis A., James H. and Ida G. 

R. S. BURNETT, 

farmer and dealer in sheep and mules, section 36, post office Braddyville, 
is a native of Indiana, was born in Putnam County, February 10, 1838, 



524 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

and was reared and educated in his native county. His father, William 
Burnett, is a native of Tennessee, and now resides in Buchanan County, 
Missouri. His mother, Sarah (Jones) Burnett, was born in North Caro- 
lina, and died when R. S. was but two years of age. He was then brought 
up under the instructions of his grandfather, and in December, 1856, he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided, being 
engaged in farming and dealing in stock. In the fall of 1880, he sold his 
farm in Grant Township, which contained 120 acres, and in March, 1881, 
he moved to his present location on the farm owned by Baker and Saun- 
ders, containing 370 acres, which he has leased for three years for the 
purpose of making sheep raising and dealing in mules his main occupa- 
tion. In August, 1861, Mr. B. enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth Mis- 
souri Infantry, and September 27, 1861, he was captured by Price's army 
and in two days was sworn out, when he re-enlisted in the Missouri 
State Militia, Company K, Thirty-sixth Regiment, and remained with 
this company till the close of the war. While in the battle of Lexing- 
ton he received two wounds from which he has since been afflicted. Mr. 
Burnett was married December 26, 1861, to Miss Rebecca E. Allen, who 
was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, April 26, 1846. They have had 
ten children, six of whom are living : George W., born October 12, 1862 ; 
John A., born August 2, 1866; Richard S., born November 19, 1870; 
Linia L., born September 21, 1872 ; Amanda O., born October 23, 1875 ; 
Martha A., born April 9, 1877. 

JAMES E. CAMPBELL, 

retired farmer, section 11, post office Elmo, was born in Mason County, 
Kentucky, November 30, 1819, and was reared in Mason and Fleming 
Counties. In 1852, he came to Missouri, and located in Clay Countyr 
where he resided till 1855, when he moved to Nodaway County. At the 
breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Price's army, and remained in 
service till Price surrendered at Shrevesport, January 9, 1865. He then 
located in Sarpy County, Nebraska, where he resided till 1869, when he 
returned to Nodaway County. His land he has sold and divided with 
his children, till he now only has eight acres. He resides with his 
youngest daughter, Mrs. David Reynolds, at present. Mr. Campbell is 
a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was mar- 
ried October 2, 1838, to Miss Frances J. Butler, who was born in Flem- 
ing County, Kentucky, August 14, 1813. They had eight children, five 
of whom are living: Robert T., born July 27, 1839; Isabella J., born 
November 19, 1841; Mary A., born October 22, 1846; John B., born 
May 5, 1844, and Paulina, born May 13, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. C. are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church South. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 525 

ROBERT T. CAMPBELL, 

farmer, section 4, post office Elmo, is a son of J. E. Campbell, ana was 
horn in Fleming County, Kentucky, July 27, 1839. His history from 
this time till he was grown is closely connected with that of his father, 
as he accompanied him in his various moves, finally locating in this 
county. In 1861, Robert enlisted in the Confederate cause in Company 
A, Third Missouri Cavalry, and remained in service till the close of the 
war, when he went to Sarpy County, Nebraska. There he resided till 
1870, when he returned to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has 
since lived, now owning a farm of 170 acres. Mr. Campbell was married 
October 20, i860, to Miss Ruth Hedgepeth, who was born in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, September 19, 1844. They have six children : Francis 
E., born January 19, 1862 ; Mary P., born October 5, 1866 ; James R., 
born December 2, 1868 ; Rose A., born May 19, 1871 ; Arthur A., born 
March 28, 1875, and Flora, born April 23, 1879. 

NILES CARVER, 

farmer, section 34, post office Braddyville, is a native of Maine, and was 
born in Kennebec County, August 16, 18 18. When twelve years of 
age he moved to Piscataquis County, and when sixteen years old he 
learned the shoemakers' trade, which he followed, in connection with 
other occupations, for nine years. He was then engaged in the mercan- 
tile trade for two years, and at the same time was occupied in the hotel 
business. Mr. C. then went to Phillipsville, New York, where his. time 
was spent in the manufacturing business for three years, after which he 
moved to Jefferson County, Pennsylvania. There he remained one year 
engaged in a saw mill, when he located in Boone County, Illinois, and 
after residing in Illinois fifteen years, employed in various branches of 
business, in 1869 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has 
since lived. He now has 87 acres of land, on which is a fine orchard of 
over 600 trees and all varieties of small fruits. Mr. Carver was married 
in the year 1839, to Miss Elmira Freeman, of Maine. She died in the 
year 1861. They had six children, three of whom are living: Franklin, 
Henry E. and Emily. Mr. C. was again married in September, 1864, to 
Mary E. Fuller, of Canada. They have had three children, two of whom 
survive : Lorenzo F. and Clifford A. During the war Mr. C. enlisted in 
the Ninety-sixth Illinois Regiment, and was mustered in as fife major, 
remaining in service till the following spring. He also had with him his 
son Frank, a? drum major, who remained in service till the close of the 
war. His son Eugene, as tenor drummer, who was then but thirteen 
years of age, and his son Millen, who was bugler, and entered the service 
when about fifteen years of age, served two years. 



526 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

I. N. CASTILLO, 

farmer, section II, post office Elmo, the subject of this sketch, may be 
termed one of the pioneers ot Nodaway County. He is a son of 
Michael and Melissa (Bieson) Castillo, the former a native of Virginia 
and the latter a Kentuckian by birth. I. N. was born in the town of 
Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky, July 2, 1824. He was reared in 
his native county, and spent his youth principally on a farm. March 10, 
1848, he started for Missouri, and was located in Clinton County till 
fall, when he went to Savannah, Andrew County, where he resided and 
engaged in the carpenter's trade till September 17, 1854, when he came 
to Maryville, Nodaway County. There he was occupied at his trade 
till the date of his location in Lincoln Township, where he now resides. 
Among the different buildings on which he was employed was the old 
court house. Since moving to this township he has been engaged in 
farming and now has a farm of 160 acres. He is a member of Canada 
Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M., and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. 
Mr. Castillo was married March 2, 1848, to Miss Malinda Ray, who was 
born in Wayne County, Kentucky, August 1 1, 1830. She died December 
20, 1858. They had five children : Mary J., born March 13, 1849; John 
F., born April 10, 1852; Joseph A., born January 30, 1854; Alice, born 
December 5, 1855, and Amos G., born May 10, 1857. Mr. C. was again 
married December 4, i860, to Miss Mary Severs. She was born in 
Anderson County, Tennessee, February 2, 1832. They have five chil- 
dren : Hugh N., born August 26, 1861 ; Malinda A., born May 10, 1863 ; 
Daniel, born December 8, 1865 ; Napoleon B., born March 31, 1869, and 
Etta L., born December 30, 1871. 

JOHN H. CLARDY, 

farmer and stock dealer, section I, post office Elmo, was born in Andrew 
County, Missouri, January 1, 1845, an( J resided in his native county till 
1874, when he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since 
resided. He now owns a farm of 140 acres. In January, 1863, Mr. C. 
enlisted in the Confederate service, and remained in Company G., of 
Elliott's battalion, till the close of the war. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. Mr. Clardy was married February 5, 1873, to Miss 
Rebecca A. Pew, an estimable lady. She was born in the year 1856, and 
is a native of Kentucky. They have three children : Sarah J., James M., 
and Annie. 

A. COLVIN, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 17, post office Elmo. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Boone County, Missouri, and is now about 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 527 

sixty years of age. He was raised as a farmer boy, and has made farm- 
ing his occupation through life. When some eighteen years of age, he, 
with his parents, moved to Platte County, Missouri, where he remained 
till about 1850, when he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Here he 
has since resided. Mr. C. was in the Mexican War and acted as quarter 
master teamster, hauling the first cannon into the City of New Mexico. 
His estate consists of 560 acres of choice land. Mr. Colvin is a member 
of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was married about the 
year 1847, to Miss Delila Fulse, of North Carolina. They have had 
fourteen children, nine of whom are living: Missouri, Platte, Kittie, Wil- 
liam, John, Robert, Eliza and George. 

SPENCER COLLINGS, M. D., 

Elmo, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, September 13, 1828, and 
when four years of age he accompanied his parents on their move to 
Putnam County, Indiana, where he was reared. He was educated in the 
schools of Greencastle, and when in his nineteenth year he began the 
study of medicine and attended the Keokuk Medical Institute. During 
the fall of 1848, he began the practice of his profession in Mercer 
County, Missouri, where he continued till 1862, after which he was 
engaged at his profession in various localities in Missouri till October, 
1873. At that period Dr. Collings came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and located at Lamar Station, remaining there till 1878, when he took 
atrip, lasting over three months, to California and a number of the ter- 
ritories. He also at the same time visited the British Islands. After 
this journey he again resumed his practice at Lamar Station, and in 
1880, he came to his present location, and erected the first dwelling in 
the town. Dr. Collings is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. 
and A. M. He was married September 7, 1847, to Miss Susanna Evans, 
who was born in North Carolina, November 13, 183 1. She died Novem- 
ber 9, 1862. They had six children, four of whom are now living : Fran- 
cis A., Julia A., Octava C, and Burr. The doctor was again married 
May 1, 1872, to Miss Mary J. Henderson, a native of Caster County, 
Kentucky, where she was born February 22, 1845. They have one 
child : Spencer. Dr. and Mrs. Collings are members of the Church of 
God. The former is also a minister of that church. 

GEORGE A. CROWDES, 

farmer, section 28, post office Dawson, was born in Marion County, Ken- 
tucky, June 6, 1847, and, in 185 1, with his parents he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has made farming his 
occupation during life, and now has a farm of eighty-seven acres. Mr. 



528 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

C. is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was 
married January 19, 1871, to Miss Nancy A. Bailey. She was born in 
Franklin County, Tennessee, November 7, 1852, and when seven years 
of agevcame to Nodaway County. Mr. and Mrs. C. have had five children, 
four of whom are living : Dora F., born November 4, 1871 ; May A., 
born May 30, 1874; Lueller F., born July 26, 1876, and Franklin, born 
June 11, 1882. 

JAMES L. DAVIS, 

farmer, section 12, post office Elmo, was born in Platte County, Mis- 
souri, March 18, 1837, and when three years of age his parents moved to 
Andrew County, where he was reared and educated. He has always 
made farming his occupation during life. In 186:, he moved to Noda- 
way County, where he has since resided, except from 1864 till 1866, dur- 
ing which time he resided in Nebraska, and from that time till 1S71, he 
was a resident of Andrew County. He now owns ninety-five acres of 
land. In the fall of 1861, Mr. D. enlisted in the Confederate service, in 
which he remained till after the battle of Springfield, Missouri. During 
that time he acted as sergeant. He is at present a member of College 
Springs Lodge, No. 228, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Davis was married Feb- 
ruary 22, 1859, to Miss Mary Messick. She was born in Platte Count}-, 
Missouri, July 14, 1843. They have had six children, four of whom. are 
now living: Elizabeth F., born November 22, 1861 ; Mary A., born May 
26, 1863 ; John W., born August 22, 1866, and Elias E., born November 
6, 1868. 

MARCUS M. DILLEY, 

carpenter and farmer, section 15, post office Elmo, was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1833, and was reared and edu- 
cated in the town of Claysville, in his native county. After becoming 
grown (as did ex-President Grant) he learned the tanner's trade, but did 
not follow it as an occupation. In 1856, he immigrated to Page County, 
Iowa, and in 1868, to his present location, where he now owns a farm of 
1 12 acres. He has in the past year (1881) erected a fine residence, doing 
the carpenter work himself, which trade he has followed more or less 
during life. When an orphan boy he was reared under the instructions 
of a carpenter, thus becoming acquainted with that occupation. He has 
been justice of the peace and has held other minor offices. Mr. Dilley 
is a member of College Springs Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F. He was 
married December 25, 1857, to Miss Catharine Nizley, who was born in 
Highland County, Ohio, February 3, 1831. When she was eight years 
of age her parents moved to Fountain County, Indiana, where she was 
reared and educated, after which she came with her father to Page 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 529 

County, Iowa, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. D. have four chil- 
dren : Edward C, Chester E., William S., and Eugene. 

CAPT. WILLIAM B. DOUGHERTY 

is of the firm of Bilby, Wood & Co., dealers in general merchandise, 
Dawson, and is also engaged in dealing in live stock and in buying 
grain for J. W. Chambers & Co. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Ohio, and was born in Ross County, May 31, 1839. He was reared on 
a farm in his native county, there being educated. In the year 1861, he 
enlisted his services in company C, Thirty-third Ohio infantry, and was 
mustered in as regimental quartermaster August 4th the same year. In 
1864, he was promoted to captain of company H, and in a short time 
was appointed as commissary in General Walker's staff, first division 
fourteenth army corps. He was thus mustered out at the close of the 
war, having participated in a number of the most important battles dur- 
ing the four years' campaign. Captain D. then returned to Ross County, 
Ohio, and in a short time came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He was 
engaged in farming and dealing in stock till December, 1879, when he 
moved to his present location and began buying grain. June 4, 1881, 
the present store was opened, and the firm are now doing a thriving 
business, having a store room in all 100x20 feet. Their stock of goods 
is equal to that of most any store in the county. Capt. D. was once 
elected county assessor, which position he held one year, when town- 
ship organizations came into effect. He is a member of Quitman Lodge, 
No. 196, A. F. and A. M. February 10, 1867, Capt. Dougherty was 
married to Miss Adasa J. Corken, of Ross County, Ohio. They have 
had five children, four of whom are now living : Wm. H., born Decem- 
ber 31, 1867; Mary C, born November, 1874; Myrtie, born August 
1876, and Charles M., born March 3, 188 1. Mr. and Mrs. D. are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

R. DWIGHT, 

farmer, section 3, post office Braddyville, Iowa, was born in Cortland 
County, New York, October 3, 1824, and in 1836, with his parents, he 
moved to Ohio. In 185 1, he went to Wisconsin, where he resided till 
1861, when he returned to Ohio, and in 1877, visited Minnesota. He 
was located in Hamstead County for one year, after which he moved to 
Black Hawk County, Iowa. One year later he came to his present loca- 
tion. Mr. D. now has a farm of 150 acres, which will compare favorably 
with any in the county. He was married April, 1858, to Miss Mary A. 
Thompson, who was born in the City of Rochester, New York, October, 
1841. Mr. and Mrs. D. have three children : Charles W., born October, 
26, 1858 ; Celia A., born November 27, 1861, and Mattie A., born Octo- 
ber 13, 1863. 

34 



530 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

R. D. EGGLESTON, 

of the firm of J. P. Eggleston & Co., dealers in furniture and hardware, 
is a native of New York, and was born in Essex County, June 28, 1833. 
In the year 1838, with his parents he immigrated to Hamilton County, 
Ohio, where he resided till 1845, and then located in Sangamon County, 
Illinois. In this county he grew to manhood. Mr. E. was principally 
educated in the town of Rochester, Illinois, and was engaged in farming 
in that state till the spring of 1866, when he went to Cass County, Indi- 
ana, and was there occupied in burning lime, acting as superintendent 
for Talbet & Dunn, proprietors of the lime kiln. He continued in this 
occupation till 1873, when he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and 
was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1881, when he began in his 
present business with his son, J. P., as a member of the firm of J. P. 
Eggleston & Co. Mr. E. was married February 13, 1856, to Miss Mildred 
A. Peddicord. She was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, November 
5, 1840. They have had eleven children, seven of whom are now living : 
Jasper P., born August 13, 1857; Mary E. (now Mrs. Falyer), born 
December 28, 1858 ; Jennette B. (now Mrs. Beery), born October 23, 
i860 ; Margaret L. (now Mrs. King), born April 27, 1862 ; Lucy M., born 
July 19, 1868 ; Jesse D., born December 13, 1874, and Jacob L., born July 
23, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members of the Church of God. Mr. E. 
has been an elder of that denomination for several years. 

JOHN H. FULLINWIDER, 

farmer, section 4, post office Elmo, is a native of Indiana, in which state 
he was born April 1, 1830. When six years of age he moved to Iowa, 
and in December, 1863, he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Iowa 
Infantry, remaining in service for twenty-two months. Shortly after 
this, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since contin- 
ued to reside. Mr. F. now has a farm of eighty acres of choice land. 
He was married November 13, 185 1, to Miss Harriet E. Harper, who was 
born in Highland County, Ohio, October 23, 1830. She was reared and 
and educated in her native county, and moved to Iowa when about six- 
teen years old. Mr. and Mrs. F. have had seven children, six of whom 
are now living: Edward T., born February 12, 1854; Charles II., born 
September 9, 1855 ; Laura PI, born April 10, 1858 ; John H., December 
23, i860; Mattie V., born June 25, 1866, and William 1'. F., born August 
31. 1869. 

J. W. GILLESPIE, 

farmer, section 9, post office Elmo. This gentleman is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and was born in Mercer County, November 18, 1850. When 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 531 

he was a boy his parents moved to Venango, Pennsylvania, and in 1865 
they located in Illinois. In 1880 Mr. Gillespie came to Nodaway County, 
Missouri. He has made farming his occupation during life, and now 
owns a farm of 160 acres. He was married February 19, 1880, to Miss 
Ada Warren. She was born in Williams County, Ohio, April 19, 1850. 
Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the M. E. Church. 

COLONEL E. GEORGE, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 10, post office Elmo, was born in Spar- 
tansburgh District, South Carolina, February II, 1824, and, in 1833, he 
moved, with his parents, to Fayette County, Illinois. Their mode of 
transportation was by foot, carrying what property they possessed. He 
resided with his parents, near Vandalia, till 1842, when he went to San- 
gamon County, Illinois, and remained employed by Jacob Strawn (the 
widely known stock dealer in Sangamon and Morgan Counties,) for four 
years. He then located at Peoria, and entered the employ of the stage 
line running between Peoria and Rushville. He first began as teamster, 
and was afterwards promoted to the, agency, supplying and fitting up 
teams, continuing this till 1847, when he went to Hancock County, Illi- 
nois. There he was engaged in farming for two years. In 1849, Mr. G. 
came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and, May 14, he started for California, 
arriving at Hangtown September 3. He was there occupied in mining 
and prospecting till 1853, when he returned to Hancock County, Illinois 
where he resided till the spring of 1855, when he located in Putnam 
County, Missouri. Here he embarked in the mercantile trade, and also 
dealt in stock and speculating. He continued this business on a large 
scale till the beginning of the war, when business ceased to a great 
extent. In 1862, he was chosen as a delegate from his district of Mis- 
souri to the Montgomery Convention, and from there, April 6, 1862, he 
went to Pittsburg Landing and joined Johnson's army. He was with 
Beauregard for five days, participating in the battle of Shiloh, after 
which he was discharged, and commissioned as Colonel. Colonel 
George then returned to Missouri for the purpose of recruiting,- but 
upon his arrival home his good judgment bade him to recant, which he 
did, destroying his commission. He then went to Macon City, Mis- 
souri, where he began dealing in stock, etc., and, in 1865, he sold his 
property in Putnam County and came to Nodaway County, Missouri- 
Here he has since resided, and now his farm contains 800 acres, 600 of 
which are improved. Mr. G. is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, 
A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to the I. O. O. F., holding his member- 
ship in Pontoosuc Lodge, of Pontoosuc, Illinois. He has been three 
times married. First, February 24, 1846, to Miss Christina Short, who 
was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, December 14, 1826. She died 



S3 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

March 3, 1849. They had one child, who is now deceased. He was 
again married to Mrs. Catherine Dort, whose maiden name was Sutton. 
She was a native of Illinois, and died in November, 1871. They had 
three children : William, John and Catherine. Mr. George was again, 
married, the third time, April 7, 1872, to Mrs. Nancy E. George, whose 
maiden name was Thomeson. She was born in Moultrie, Illinois, in 
November, 1841. They have had three children, one of whom is now 
living, Edmond E. The Colonel is a son of Mathew and Vina (Sanders) 
George. The former was a native of South Carolina, and died in this 
County, April^ 22, 1881. The latter is a Virginian by birth. She was 
born December 12, 1804, and now resides in this county. They had a 
family of thirteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the 
second in the family. 

MICHAEL GUTHRIE, 

farmer, section 35, post office Braddyville, Iowa, was born in Pike 
County, Ohio, May 5, 181 1, and was reared on a farm, there being prin- 
cipally educated. In 1827, he moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, 
where he resided for eighteen months, then locating in Vermillion 
County, Illinois. After making his home there until about the year 
L854, he came to Wayne County, Missouri, and in 1855, settled in his 
present location. While in Illinois he learned the cooper's trade, which 
he followed for about ten years. With this exception, he has been 
engaged in farming during life, and now owns a farm of 209 acres. 
During the Black Hawk war, Mr. G. served for two months. He was 
married November 3, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Osborn. She was born in 
Adams County, Ohio, October 20, 18 19. When about ten years of age, 
her parents moved to Kentucky, and one year later to Vermillion 
County, Indiana, where she was married. They have had twelve child- 
ren, seven of whom are now living: William, Samuel, Melissa, Maria, 
Nancy, Emma, and Perry. 

SAMUEL GUTHRIE, 

farmer, section 10, post office Dawson, was born in Vermillion County, 
Illinois, August 9, 1846, and when about ten years of age, he, with his 
parents, moved to Nodaway County, where he has since resided. In 
1861 he enlisted in the Federal cause in Company I, First Nebraska 
Infantry, and remained in service till the close of the war. For some 
time after he was acting as a soldier on the plains. He now has a farm 
of 240 acres. Mr. Guthrie was married October 24, 1875, to Miss Estel 
Russell. She was born in Canada West, May 13, 1855. They have three 
children: Alfred H., born January m, 1877; John L., born December 8, 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 533 

1878 ; and Melvin, born January 16, 1881. Mrs. G. is a daughter of Wil- 
liam and Julia A. Russell, both natives of England. 

JAMES T. HALL, 

farmer, section 8, post office Elmo, was born in Oakland County, Michi- 
gan, July 1, 1836, and was reared and educated in his native county, there 
residing till 1865, when he came to his present location. He has made 
farming his occupation during life, and now owns a farm of 120 acres, 
which is improved in the best manner. In the spring of 1875, he went 
to California with the intention of making that his future home, but not 
seeing the advantage of changing from Nodaway County, he returned 
during that fall. Mr. Hall is a member of College Springs Lodge, No. 
228, I. O. O. F. He was married February 25, 1858, to Miss Mary S. 
Fair, who was born in Oakland County, Michigan, November 3, 1841. 
She was there reared, educated and married. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two 
children : Charles N., born November 19, 1864, and Lillie F., born Sep- 
tember 16, 1862. 

GEORGE W. HAMILTON, 

farmer, section 10, post office Blanchard, is a son of James A. and 
Hiliah (Rhodes) Hamilton, both of whom are natives of New Jersey. 
G. W. was born in Sussex County, of that state in September, 1837. 
When fifteen years of age he moved to Warren County, where he 
resided till 1864, when he located in Bureau County, Illinois, there 
making his home till 1869, the date of his emigration to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. He has made farming his occupation during life, and 
now has a landed estate of 283 acres. Mr. H. was married in the year 
1857 to Miss Mary E. Hull, of Hunterdon County, N. J. She died in 
April, 1878. They had six children : Joseph S., James A., Catharine, 
Benjamin, Charles V., Mary E. 

JOHN HARDCASTLE, 

farmer, section 4, post office Braddyville, is a native of England, and 
was born in Yorkshire, March 5, 1837. He was there reared and edu- 
cated. He resided on a farm till sixteen years of age, after which he 
worked as an apprentice for five years at the wheelwright trade, or as it 
is here known, as carriage and wagon making. Mr. H. continued work 
in his native country for two years as a journeyman, and in 1859 he 
started to America, landing at New York, May 16. From there he went 
to Canada, where he remained about four years, most of the time work- 
ing at his trade. Upon returning to the United States, he was for a few 
years engaged at his trade in Ohio and some of the Southern states, 



534 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

where he was employed by the Government. He finally located in Cin- 
cinnati, where he continued his trade till 1868, when he came to St. 
Joseph, and for a short time was engaged in the cabinet trade. He then 
began work for the Missouri Valley Railroad in the car shops, and in 
1877 he located on the farm where he now resides, there owning 120 
acres of land, which is moderately improved. Mr. Hardcastle was 
married in May, 1874, to Mrs. Martha Ladue. Her maiden name was 
Brown, and she was born in Canada, in September, 1831. 

ALEXANDER J. HORN, 

farmer, section 23, post office Elmo, was born in Madison County, Ken 
tucky, February 21, 1822, and while a boy his parents moved to Davis 
County, Kentucky, where he was reared. In 1841, he came to Missouri 
and located in Buchanan County, and in 1857, he settled in Nodaway 
County, where he has since resided. He now has a farm of 100 acres of 
choice land. Mr. Horn was married August 4, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth 
Adams, an estimable lady. She was born in Adams County, Ohio. 
They have had ten children, nine of whom are now living: Andrew W., 
Martha A., Armilda J., Alexander, Irvin, James W., Reuben E., David 
and Henrietta E. 

JOSEPH HUTSON, 

farmer, section 32, post office Dawson. As the subject of this sketch 
we mention the oldest settlers now living west of the Nodaway River 
in Nodaway County. The manner in which he lived during the first 
settlement of the county may be inferred from reading the pioneer his- 
tory of the county. Mr. H. is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 
Clay County, December 25, 1808. He was there reared, and was edu- 
cated in the old-fashioned log school houses, consequently his educa- 
tional advantages were very much limited. The days of his youth were 
spent on a farm, and in a blacksmith shop. He followed the trade of 
blacksmithing in connection with farming for many years, and in 1839 
he emigrated to Missouri, and located on the farm where he now resides. 
His finances at the time of his arrival, October 31, were $2.50. He now 
owns a farm of 140 acres, and has given to his children 480 acres. Mr. 
H. has never held an office in his life ; was once elected to the position 
of justice of the peace, but would not accept the office. He has never 
been a member of any secret society, but has belonged to the Baptist 
Church for over thirty years. He has been twice married ; first, June 4, 
1830, to Miss Margaret Bowlin, who was born in Clay County, Ken- 
tucky, in the year 18 10. She died in 1846. They had a family of eight 
children : John, Kasire, James, William (deceased), Margaret, Lucinda 
(deceased), George YV., and Sarah. Mr. H. took for his second wife, 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 535 

Mrs. Paulina Tender, whom he married October 12, 1856. She was born 
in Madison County, Kentucky, January 12, 18 15. 

JOHN HUTSON, 

farmer and carpenter, section 33, post office Dawson. The subject of 
this sketch is a son of Joseph Hutson, an old settler of the county, and 
was born in Clay County, Kentucky, July 7, 1830. He came with his 
parents to Missouri in 1839, and in the following spring located in Nod- 
away County, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm, 
and when nineteen years of age he learned the carpenters' trade, which 
he followed for a few years, and then returned to the farm, and has since 
been engaged in tilling the soil. For the past ten years he has also fol- 
lowed his trade more or less. He now has a farm of 170 acres. Mr. 
Hutson is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He 
was married December 30, 1852, to Miss Rutela E. Lamar. She was 
born in Anderson County, East Tennessee, November 21, 1835. They 
have six children ; James M., Charles W., Sarah A., Margaret, and 
Louis N. and Thomas P., twins. 

ELMAS JAMES, 

farmer, section 8, post office Elmo, was born in Muskingham County, 
Ohio, June 10, 185 1, and when seven years of age, with his parents, he 
moved to McDonough County, Illinois, where he was reared and edu- 
cated. In 187 1 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He has made 
farming his occupation during life, and now owns a farm of 200 acres. 
Mr. James was married July 1, 1 871, to Miss Sidney Wheeler, who 
was born in Muskingham County, Ohio, December 13, 1851. She resided 
in her native county till 1856, when she moved to McDonough County t 
Illinois, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. J. have had three chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living: Cora A., born December 24, 1874; 
Edward O., born June 1 1, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. James are members of the 
M. E. Church. 

JEFFERSON JOHNSON, 

farmer, section 29, post office Elmo, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, 
March 15, 1837, and when twelve years of age, with his parents, he 
moved to DeKalb County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He 
was reared on a farm, and followed farming in Indiana till 1859, when he 
wended his way to California. There he was engaged in lumbering in 
the red woods for about nine years, after which he returned to Bureau 
County, Illinois, where he resided till 1875, when he located in Adair 
County, Iowa. In the fall of 1880, he came to his present location. 



536 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Since his return from California he has been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, now having a farm of eighty acres. Mr. Johnson was married 
March 14, 1873, to Miss Emeline Harkley. She was born in Bureau 
County, Illinois, and was there reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. J* 
have two children, Mary and Essie. 

WILLIAM M. JOHNSTON, 

farmer, section 32, post office College Springs, is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born in Mercer County January 18, 1840. When four 
years of age, with his parents, he moved to Lenawee County, Michigan, 
where he resided twelve years. In the fall of 1855, he moved to Knox 
County, Illinois, and in the following spring located in Nodaway County, 
Missouri, where he has since resided. He was educated in the different 
localities in which he resided, completing his schooling in Amity Col- 
lege. He has made farming his occupation during life, and now has 
a farm of 100 acres. In September, 1861, Mr. J. enlisted in Company E, 
Sixth Missouri Mounted Infantry, remaining in service with this com- 
pany till March 25, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Fourth Mis- 
souri Cavalry. May 25, 1864, he was discharged on occount of disa- 
bility. Mr. J. has served as justice of the peace for ten years in this 
township. He was married August 24, 1864, to Miss Rosana Oster, a 
daughter of John Oster. She was born in Clinton County, Missouri, 
March 11, 1844. They have had six children, five of whom are now 
living : Zachariah, born May 15, 1865 ; Elvina M., born March 21, 1867 ; 
C. E., born October 17, 1871 ; Willie, born November 22, 1876, and 
Alice, born November 11, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. J. are members of the 
Baptist Church. 

JACOB J. KING, 

farmer, section 7, post office Dawson, was born in Sangamon County, 
Illinois, December 15, 1832, and was reared on a farm and has followed 
tilling of the soil during life. He resided in his native county till 1856, 
and from this date till 1861 he made his home in Worth County, Mis- 
souri. Mr. K. then resided in Ringgold County, Iowa, till 1866, the date 
of his immigration to Nodaway County, Missouri. He now has a well 
improved farm of 323 acres. Since locating in Lincoln Township he has 
assessed the township during one year. He was united in marriage to 
Miss Elizabeth Carson, October 3, 1856. She was born and reared in the 
same county as himself, the date of her birth being October 5, 183 1. 

GEORGE KINMAN, 

stock dealer and feeder, section 16, post office Elmo, was born in Boone 
County, Indiana, October 29, 1837, and there resided till the year 1853, 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 537 

when with his parents he moved to Vermillion County. In 1865, he 
located in Page County, Iowa, and since 1867, he has been a citizen of 
Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. K. was reared a farmer boy, and has 
since made farming and the stock business his occupation. He has a 
landed estate of 240 acres, all of which is improved. His house and sur- 
roundings present an appearance indicating energy and enterprise, there 
being upon the place a very fine orchard of 400 trees. Mr. Kinman was 
married March 13, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Yager, who was born in Ver- 
million County, Illinois, May 20, 1837. She was reared in her native 
county, except for seven years, during which time she resided in Wis- 
consin. Mr. and Mrs. K. have had nine children, eight of whom are 
living: William F., born February 17, 1S60; Robert D., born August 15, 
1862 ; George H., born April 29, 1863 ; Eliza J., born September 25, 
1865, and died December 1, 1866; Mary C, born December 1, 1866; 
John R., born November 28, 1868 ; Charles H., born July 9, 1873 ; Dora 
O., October 24, 1876, and Freddie M., born January 30, 1879. Mr. K.'s 
father, John, was a native of England, and his mother, Judia (Dodsun) 
Kinman, of Kentucky. 

M. B. KIRBY, 

farmer, section 22, post office Blanchard, was born in Mercer County ; 
Pennsylvania, August 9, 1833. and was reared on a farm. When eigh- 
teen years of age, he learned the trade of shoemaking, which he fol- 
lowed for six years. In 1855, he moved to Jackson County, Iowa, and 
in 1 87 1, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since 
resided, now having a farm of 160 'acres. Mr. Kirby was married 
March 6, 1857, to Miss Mary Umphey. She was born in Butler County, 
Pennsylvania, in May, 1835. They have a family of eight children : 
Louis, William, Andrew, Alice, Eli, Charles, Grant and Orra. 

CHARLES J. LAMAR, 

of the firm of C. J. Lamar & Son, merchants, Dawson, is a native of 
Anderson County, East Tennessee, the date of his birth being March 4, 
1831. When a child, his parents, with the family, moved to Indiana, 
where they resided for two years, and then emigrated to Platte County, 
Missouri. In one year they located in Nodaway County, where Charles 
has since resided. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits till about 
the year 1867, when he embarked in the mercantile trade at Lamar Sta- 
tion, which he pursued till 1873. In 1877 he began in the same business 
at the point called Six Corners, and continued in that locality till the 
spring of 1880, when he began in his present location. He is a member 
of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Lamar was married 
November 1 1, 1842, to Miss Gizor Hutson. She was born in Clay County, 



53§ BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Kentucky, March 23, 1832. They have three children : Madofa A., Ster- 
ling and Joseph M. 

JOHN MILLS LAMAR. 

John Mills Lamar was born on the 6th day of July, 1804, in Ander- 
son County, Tennessee, where he grew to manhood. He attended the 
schools in his native county, and acquired a substantial elementary edu- 
cation. During the year 1826, he was married to Hanie Smith, also a 
resident of Anderson County, Tennessee, but a native of Virginia. In 
the year 1836, Mr. Lamar recruited a company of volunteers in Ander- 
son County, of which he was chosen captain, and with his company 
joined one of the last expeditions which took part in the Floridian War. 
In 1839, ne moved from the State of Tennessee to Hendricks County, 
Indiana ; in 1841, from that state to Platte County, Missouri, and in the 
summer of 1842, he located with his family just west of the Nodaway 
River, in the east edge of the Hutson settlement, now Lincoln Town- 
ship. At this date his family consisted of himself, wife and five children, 
then under the age of fifteen years. His children were named respect- 
ively, Rufus, Napoleon B., Charles J., Rutela E., and Sarah. From the 
date of his settlement in this county, he began to adapt himself to his 
new home and surroundings. With commendable zeal he sought by cor- 
respondence to induce emigration from his native state to his adopted 
country. At the same time he bent every energy to civilize the then 
wild frontier. In the month of August, 1843, his wife Hanie, and eldest 
son Rufus, both died. They were the first white persons buried in the 
settlement. In the winter of 1843-4, Mr. Lamar taught a school in one 
of the newly erected cabins, which was attended by all of the children 
of the settlement. During the same winter he was appointed justice of 
the peace by the County Court of Holt County, the settlement then 
being a part of that county. In the fall of 1844, he was elected to fill 
the same office, and acted in that capacity for several years, and until 
after the territory constituting the Hutson settlement was attached to 
Nodaway County. Many of his official acts appear upon the pages of 
the first records of this county, while from a private diary by him kept, 
appear many official acts which ante date all public records of this 
county. From this record we extract the following entry, which will 
show the exact date of the first marriage in this county as it is now 
bounded : 

The first wedding : "Be it remembered that on the 15th day of 
February, A. D. 1844, I, John M. Lamar, an acting justice of the peace in 
and for the Township of Benton, Holt Count)', Missouri, did solemnize 
the rites of matrimony between Abijah Hampton and Nancy Oster, and 
join them together in wedlock as husband and wife. 

Given under my hand this [6th day of February, A. D. 1S44. 

J. M. LAMAR, Justice of the Peace.'' 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 539 

Similar entries of other marriages and official acts which took place 
in the Hutson settlement (now Lincoln Township), while it constituted 
a part of Holt County, and before the organization of Nodaway County, 
are found in this diary. Some years after the death of his first wife, 
Mr. Lamar was married to Susannah Spencer, and during the first years 
of the settlement, his cabin was the home of all immigrants in search of 
homes in his neighborhood. We note in his diary the date of all arri- 
vals and departures, to and from his section of the country. A welcome 
was extended to those who came, a regret followed those departing. 
Mr. Lamar took a lively interest in the welfare and prosperity of his 
neighboring settlers, and never hesitated to espouse the cause of the 
weak or oppressed, if he felt their cause was just. In 1845, he com- 
posed and reduced to manuscript the account of a difficulty which arose 
between two settlers over a disputed claim. This narrative was entitled 
"Chronicles of the West."* In style and spirit it was quite character- 
istic of the author. In 1846, Mr. Lamar was elected and commissioned 
Captain of the Second Company, First Battalion, Fifteenth Regiment, 
Second Brigade, Fifteenth Division Missouri Militia, and served in the 
regiment under Colonel Amos Graham, of Nodaway County, Missouri, 
for some time, but the regiment was never called into active service. 
From 1846 up to i860, he filled the offices of justice of the peace and 
constable of his township. In 1855, he was one of the commissioners 
who located the county seat of Atchison County, at Rock Port, Missouri. 
He aided all enterprises which promised to benefit his county. In poli- 
tics he was a firm Democrat. As far back 1849, we note in his diary the 
following entry : "The winter of 1848-9, the hardest winter ever known 
in Missouri, sent as a curse on the American people for electing General 
Taylor to the presidency of the United States of America, and as a 
preface to his administration." Many like entries show the tenacity 
with which he grasped a tenet. Though pronounced in his views, he 
rarely took an active part in political canvasses. He rather accorded to 
all mankind the unqualified freedom to think, speak and act according 
to the dictates of an individual judgment. During the late war Mr. 
Lamar, to some extent, sympathized with the seceding states ; however, 
he took no part in the conflict. After the war, some years, he opened 
a store of general merchandise in connection with his son, at Six Cor- 
ners, in Lincoln Township, and continued in that business up to the 
time of his death. On the 16th day of August, 1877, at the residence of 
his son, Charles J. Lamar, he died ; and midst a throng of friends and 
relatives the remains of the old pioneer were conveyed to the beautiful 
hill-top, just west of the Nodaway River, where, among the forest trees, 
they were laid away to rest beside the graves of his first wife and child, 
who had there slept for thirty-four years. 

" Disturb him not; let him pass peaceably." 

*See page 347. 



540 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JAMES W. LAMAR, 

farmer, section 27, post office Dawson, was born in Anderson County, 
East Tennessee, April 27, 1834. He was reared and educated in his 
native county, and in the spring of 1850, he came to Nodaway County, 
Missouri. He was brought up on a farm, and after receiving his educa- 
tion he was for a number of years engaged in teaching school. In 1857, 
he embarked in the mercantile trade at Lamar Station, which business 
he pursued for a number of years. His estate consists of 235 acres of 
choice land. In his early days he was taught that slavery was right, 
and still adheres to his early teaching. His official career has been a 
quiet one. He was for one term deputy sheriff of the county, and was 
twice elected township trustee under the township organization. In 
1877, Mr. Lamar was appointed tax collector, and served one year. He 
has been twice married ; first, December 24, 1857, to Miss Lucinda Hut- 
son, who died leaving one child, Winfield S. Mr. L. was married to his 
present wife April 25, 1861. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Terhune, 
and she was born in Anderson County, East Tennessee, November 9, 
1843. They have seven children, Eliza O., Robert, May, Charley A., 
Cora, Leona, and Maudie. 

JACOB LAMB, 

farmer, section 31, post office Elmo, is a native of England, and was born 
November 30, 1826, in the Parish of Bradley, Derbyshire, his post office 
in that land being Ashbon. He was reared and educated in his native 
country, and resided on a farm till eighteen years of age. After this he 
was engaged in various occupations till August 4, i85i,when he left 
Liverpool for America, landing at New York, September 4th of the same 
year. He soon went to Richfield, Ohio, his first work in America being 
to dig a well. Mr. Lamb then began working on a railroad, and in a 
short time commenced the improvement of a farm in Ashtabula County, 
Ohio, where he continued for eighteen months. After this he went on the 
water, going from Cleveland, and was a sailor for three years. Upon 
giving up that life at Chicago, he went to Iowa, where he resided one year, 
and in the following spring (1856) he came to Nodaway County, Missouri 
where he has since resided, and now has a farm of 135 acres. Mr. Lamb 
was married October 4, 1857, to Eliza C. Severs. She was born in Ander- 
son County, East Tennessee, December 15, 1853, and came to Nodaway 
County, "Missouri, in the year 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have a family 
of seven children : Rebecca A., born June 7, 1858 ; Hugh R., born June 
26, 1861 ; John N., born April 28, 1864; May M., born August 22, 1866; 
William P., born September 29, 1868; Ellen I., born July 26, 1870 ; and 
Melvin, born February 28, 1875. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 541 

WILLIAM S. LAMME, 

farmer, Section 27, post office Dawson, was born in Hancock County, 
Illinois, December 17, 1832, and was reared in his native county on a 
farm, and has made farming his occupation during life. In the spring of 
1856, he immigrated to Putnam County, Missouri, and, in 1864, he located 
in Grundy County, Missouri, where he resided till 1866, when he became 
a citizen of Nodaway County, Missouri. Here he has since resided- 
His landed estate consists of 155 acres, improved. August 15, 1854, Mr. 
S. was married to Miss R. J. Neel. She was born in Boone County, 
Kentucky, July 3, 1830. They have one child, Milton. 

WILLIAM V. LANNING. 

farmer, section 18, post office Elmo, is a native of New Jersey, and was 
born in Morris County, June 17, 1833. He was reared and educated in 
his native county, and subsequently went to Hunterdon County, New 
Jersey, where, on the 6th day of June, 1856, he was married to Miss 
Mary Smith. During that fall, they moved to Luzerne County, Penn- 
sylvania, and, in the same fall, moved to Bureau County, Illinois, where 
they resided till 1868. At the end of that time, Mr. Lanning came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided, and now has a 
farm of 200 acres. Mrs. L. was born in Hunterdon County, New Jersey 
where she lived until her marriage. Their family consists of three 
children: Cornelia, born May 7, i8S7; Annie, born January 29, 1866, 
and Ida M., born October 29, 1867. 

JAMES B. LESTER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 9, post office Elmo. As one of the pro- 
gressive citizens of Lincoln Township, we mention J. B. Lester, who is a 
native of Tompkins County, New York, the date of his birth being Jan- 
uary 5, 1823. His father, George, was a native of Connecticut, and his 
mother, Aurena (Bennett) Lester, of New Jersey. When J. B. was four- 
teen years of age, they moved to Chemung County, New York, where he 
grew to manhood. There he cast his first vote, which was for James K. 
Polk. From the time he was seventeen years of age till his twentieth 
year his time was occupied in operating on the canal. In 1845 Mr. L. 
drifted westward, making Henry County, Illinois, the point of his desti- 
nation. He settled near the present site of Kewanee, and resided in this 
locality, engaged in agricultural pursuits, till the spring of 1875, which 
date found him tilling the soil of Fremont County, Iowa. In March, 
188 1, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he purchased a farm 
of 318 acres, on which he has since erected a handsome residence. March 
20, 1852, Mr. Lester was married to Miss Barbara S. Kimberling, who 



542 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was born in Ohio, in October, 1832. She died October 28, 1878. They 
had a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living: Cyrus J., 
born July 10, 1855 I Frank D., born November 6, 1858 ; George W., born 
February 15, 1863; Grant, born June 8, 1864; Eddie E., born June 10, 
1868; Minnie B., born July 8, 1878; and Emma E., born June 15, 1873. 
Mr. Lester's mother now resides with him. She was born January 27, 
\ 800. 

LKVI LIVENGOOD, 

farmer, section 17, post office Elmo, was born in Fountain County, Indi- 
ana, March 10, 1838, and, when sixteen years of age, he came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, where he has since resided. His farm now con- 
tains forty acres. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Second 
Nebraska Cavalry, remaining in that company till December, 1863, dur- 
ing which time he did gallant service. Mr. L. was married November 
17, 1867, to Miss Lavina Neffeshe, an estimable lady. She was born 
in Lee County, Iowa, March 21, 1849. They have four children: Wil- 
liam E., born May 12, 1870; Alpha, born June 13, 1873 ; Samuel E., born 
December 28, 1875, and Fred, born August 28, 1880. 

ANDREW J. LIVENGOOD, 

farmer, section 9, post office Elmo, is a native of Indiana, and was born 
in Fountain County, March 20, 1839. He resided in his native county 
till 1854, when, with his parents, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
where he has since remained. He now owns a farm of 120 acres. Mr. 
Livengood was married December 6, 1868, to Miss Sarah Farrens. She 
was born in Page County, Iowa, October 3, 1847, and was there reared 
and married. They have one child, Martha E., born September 22, 1869. 

GEORGE W. LIVENGOOD, 

farmer, section 16, post office Elmo, was born in Fountain Count)-, Indi- 
ana, July 9, 1842, and when twelve years of age his parents moved to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was reared 
a farmer boy, and has followed the same occupation during life, and now 
lias a farm of 180 acres. In November, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 
Second Nebraska Cavalry, and remained in the service of this company 
till December 12, 1863, when he re-enlisted in Company I, Korty-eighth 
Missouri Infantry, with which regiment he continued to serve till the 
close of the war. Mr. Livengood was married April 1, 1866, to Miss 
Frances E. Rutledge. She was born in Greene County, Indiana, March 
16, 1848. They have had six children, four of whom are now living: 
Julian E., born January 16, 1867; Thomas R., born January 23, 1869; 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 543 

Olive L., born December 2, 1 87 1 , and Nora, born November 25, 1880.. 
Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the M. E. Church South. 

D. V. McCREA, 

lumber dealer, Dawson, is a native of Canada, and was born in the town 
of Kingston, January 4, 1824. He was aducated in his native town, and 
in June, 1840, he went to Rochester, New York, where he learned the 
saddle and harness trade, which he followed in that city till the fall of 
1844. At that time he went to Franklin County, Ohio, where, for a 
period, he was engaged in the saddle and harness business. In 1853, 
Mr. McCrea located on a farm in Knox County, Illinois, and was there 
occupied in agricultural pursuits till 1856, when he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. He was engaged in farming from that time till he 
began in his. present business, excepting four years, when he gave his 
attention to the milling business. November 23, 1880, Mr. McCrea 
began in the lumber trade, and has since been doing a thriving business. 
He has a landed estate of over 300 acres, a good part of 'which is under- 
laid with coal. In the fall of T871, he sank a coal shaft, which laid 
dormant till 1880, since which time it has supplied the wants of many 
families. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia,. 
Company C, Fourth Cavalry, and remained in service till June, 1863, 
being on detail duty during his time in service as horse farrier 
and blacksmith. He is now justice of the peace, which office he has 
held for over ten years, though he is no great aspirant for office. 
He* has been for some years a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Mr. McCrea has been twice married. First, August 18, 1846, to Dyan 
Hyles. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, and died in this county, 
December 24, 1866. They had a family of six children : Mary E. (now 
Mrs. Davison); Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. Dawson); Charlotte (now Mrs. 
Brambeil); Hamilton, Alice (now Mrs. Eckley), and Florence (now Mrs. 
Huddel). He was married to his present wife in November, 1867. Her 
maiden name was Margaret B. Foster, and she was born in Warren 
County, Ohio, April 18, 1828. When she was but a child her parents 
moved to Wayne County, Indiana, and when she was ten years of age 
they moved to Hendricks County, Indiana, where she grew to woman- 
hood, and was there married to Elihu Maines, April 16, 185 1. Mr. Maines 
died in that county, February 16, 1861, leaving a family of five children, 
four of whom are now living: Mollie (now Mrs. Walker); William C, 
John W. and Theodore. Mrs. McCrea resided in Indiana after the death 
of her first husband till the fall of 1865, when she came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and until married to her present husband made h;r 
home with her father, who resided near Clearmont. Mr. and Mrs. 
McCrea have one child : Wellington. 



544 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

A. F. McCURDY, 

farmer, section 6, post office College Springs, Iowa, is a native of Illi- 
nois, and was born in McDonough County, August 22, 1844. When 
about ten years of age his parents moved to Fulton County, where he 
resided for nine years and then located in Warren County. In 1875, he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided, now 
owning a fine farm of 280 acres. Mr. McCurdy was married November 
19, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Patterson, who was born in York County, 
Pennsylvania, March 21, 1846. She was reared and educated in her 
native count)', and in 1865, moved to Warren County, where she was 
married. Mr. and Mrs. McC. have six children, five of whom are living: 
Nettie, born August 28, 1871 ; James C, born February 17, 1874; Hat- 
tie, born May 10, 1876; Cora, born January 10, 1873, and one infant, 
born November 27, 1881. 

THOMAS L. MARTIN, M. D., 

Elmo. The subject of this sketch is a native of Missouri, and was born 
in Livingston County, August 4, 1840. In 185 1, he moved to Linn 
County, Missouri, where he grew to manhood, and received a literary 
education. When at the age of nineteen years he began the study of 
medicine, having to teach school a part of the time to defray expenses 
during his studies. In 1865, he began the practice of his profession in 
Putnam County, Missouri, and in 1870, he located in Mercer County, 
where he continued his practice till June, 1880. He then came to his 
present location. Dr. Martin attended the Keokuk College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, where he graduated February 19, 1873. He is a 
member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was married 
October 27, 1867, to Miss Martha Wilson. She was born June 16, 1843, 
and is a native of Indiana. Dr. and Mrs. Martin have one child : Lillian 
May, born July 8, 1869. The doctor is an excellent physician, readily 
understanding the wants of his patients. He well merits his success. 

EDGAR L. MORGAN, 

farmer, section 1, post office Blanchard, Iowa, is a native of New York, 
and was born in Herkimer County. March 22, 1834. He was educated 
in his native county, and was reared a farmer boy, and has made farm- 
ing his occupation during life. In 1 S 5 4 . he moved to Delaware Count)-, 
( )hio, where he resided till 1866, when he moved to Racine County, Wis- 
consin. There he made his home till 1870, when he came to Nodaway 
County, where he has since resided. April 9, [859, Mr. Morgan was 
married to Miss May J. Clark. She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 545 

June 17, 1833. They have had three children, two of whom are now 
living: Charles C. and Edgar E. 

JOSEPH NELSON. 

farmer, section 5, post office Elmo, is a native of Ohio, and was born in 
Adams County, August 27, 181 5. He was there reared, and there he 
secured the advantage of a common school education, the school being 
held in the oldest style of buildings. While in his native county Mr. N. 
was married to Miss Ann McClure, which event occurred October 11, 
1836. They resided in Adams Count}' till the fall of 1852, when they 
moved to Fayette County, Indiana, and there remained till 1866, the 
time of their emigration to Nodaway County. Mr. Nelson's farm now 
contains 240 acres of land, well improved. His parents, Joseph and 
Nancy (Colemanj Nelson, were natives of Virginia. Mrs. N. was born 
in Adams County, Ohio, May 5, 18 18. She was there reared and edu- 
cated. They have had a family of twelve children, nine of whom sur- 
vive : Martha A., born October 2, 1841 ; Nancy J., born December 13, 
1843; James, born June 30, 1848; Lafayette, born May 28, 1850; 
George, born March 12, 1852; William, born January 21, 1854 ; Huston, 
born September 26, 1856 ; Mary W., born March 7, i860, and Oliver P., 
born April 15, 1862. 

JOSEPH R. NELSON, 

dealer in general merchandise. The subject of this sketch was the first 
to open a store in the town of Elmo, and has ever continued to hold his 
share of the trade in that locality. He is a native of Louisiana, and was 
born near New Orleans, March 14, [836. When but a boy he accompa- 
nied his parents to Lee County, Iowa, where he was principally reared 
and educated. In 1852, with them he moved to the Territory of Utah, 
where he began work in a woolen mill, which he continued for seven 
years. In i860, he returned to Union County, Iowa, and operated a 
carding machine till 1863, when he moved to Albany, Gentry County, 
Missouri, where he was engaged in the same business till 1867. At that 
time he came to Nodaway Count)-, Missouri, and took charge of the 
carding machine which is now known as Burnett's Mill, which he con- 
tinued to run for two years. After this he was engaged in the saw mill 
business in different parts of the count}- till the fall of 1871, when he 
embarked in the mercantile trade at Clearmont, there remaining till the 
spring of 1872. In the fall of that year he began in the mercantile trade 
at Lamar Station, where he continued till the beginning of the town of 
Elmo, and as before stated, was the first merchant in the town. Mr. 
Nelson was married June 14, 1858, to Miss Lydia A. Chadwick. She 
was born in Monmouth Count}-. New Jersey, February 5, 1834. They 



546 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

have had fourteen children, twelve of whom are living: Elizabeth L., 
John J., Joseph R., George G., Henry A., Mary M., Emily A., Sarah A., 
Nora N., Attie L., Nina R., and Thomas N. Mr. Nelson is a member of 
Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. 

JOHN OSTER, 

farmer, section 33, post office Braddyville, is a native of Virginia, and 
was born October 22, 1815. When three years of age his parents moved 
to Richland County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He was 
a resident of that locality till May, 1837, when they immigrated to Mis- 
souri, and located in Caldwell County. Mr. O. was there engaged in 
farming till March, 1840, when, with his parents, he located in Lincoln 
Township, Nodaway Count)', Missouri. The condition of the county at 
that time may be readily inferred by reading the pioneer history of the 
county and township. Mr. Oster now has over eighty-five acres of land. 
He was married October 25, 1840, to Miss Melvina Potter. She was born 
in Clay County, Missouri, September 27, 1822, and when about fourteen 
years of age her parents moved to Clinton Count}". Mr. and Mrs. O. 
have had thirteen children, five of whom are now living: Rosana, born 
March 11, 1844; Sarah S., born October 29, 1847; Nancy, born March 
12, 1849; Elizabeth, born May 16, 1850; and Margaret, born December 
8, 1853. 

JOTHAM L. PARKER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, post office Braddyville. This gentle- 
man is a native of Ohio, and was born in Meigs County, July 27, 1834. 
When two years of age his parents moved to Michigan, and located 
in Oakland County, where he was reared and educated. In 1858, he went 
to Gratiot County, Michigan, where he entered a tract of land under the 
graduation law, and made for himself a farm, and was there engaged in 
farming till i860, when he went to California by way of New York and 
the Isthmus. In different parts of that state he was engaged in various 
branches of business, and finally located in Trinity County on a farm, 
which he improved. In 1864, he returned to Michigan, and with his 
family started to his intended home in California ; but on reaching the 
point where he now resides, he bought forty acres of land and there 
resided till 1874, when he sold that farm and moved to his farm in Cali- 
fornia. The land he was afterwards compelled to take back, and in 1S7S 
he returned to his present location. His farm now consists of 235 acres, 
which is finely improved. He also has his farm in California of 160 
acres. Mr. Parker was married July 4, 1854, to Miss Sarah A. Hall. 
She was born in Oakland County, Michigan, August 3, [833, and was 
reared in her native county and there married. Mr. and Mrs. P, have 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 54; 

four children : Elva V. (now Mrs. McElwee), born June 25, 1854; Junius 
A., born May 6, 1857; Alice (now Mrs. Bloom), born April 10, i860, 
and Jesse J., born November 9, 1865. 

WILLIAM PIKE, 

farmer, section 33, post office Elmo, was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
June 29, 1825, and, when twelve years of age, with his parents he moved 
to Hendricks County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He was 
reared as a carpenter and farmer boy. November 7, 1843, he commenced 
to learn the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed in Indiana till the 
fall of 1857, when he moved to Wapello County, Iowa. There he resumed 
his chosen occupation till 1865, when he came to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. Here he has since resided, and has been engaged at his trade and 
farming. In 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and remained 
in service till the close of the war, acting as shoer for the regiment. 
October 14, 1848, Mr. Pike was married to Miss Elizabeth Frazier. She 
was born in Laurel County, Kentucky, in the year 1827. She died in 
1880. They had nine children : Orra, Lawrence, Wyatt T., Eliza J., 
Mary M., William D., Sarah E. and Lorenzo D. 

J. W. POWER, 

agent for N. J. Stratton, grain dealer, Elmo, is a native of Indiana, ami 
was born in Hancock County, January 9, 185 1. When he was but six 
years of age he, with his parents, immigrated to Missouri, and located 
in Mercer County, where he grew to manhood. He was there educated, 
after which he was engaged in teaching for a period of time. Mr. P. 
then traveled over the different western states and territories, and came 
to his present location in October, 1881. Since that time he has made 
some investments in the town, which he contemplates making his future 
home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, John 
Power, is a native of Kentucky, and was an early settler in Indiana. He 
now resides in Mercer County, on the land which he entered from the 
government. The mother of J. W., Jane (McCann) Power, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and died in the year 1865, leaving a family of thirteen 
children, of whom J. W. is the eleventh in number. 

JOSEPH PRICE. 

Among the respected citizens of Elmo, is the subject of this sketch, 
who was born August 9, 181 5, in Salem County, New York. When two 
years of age he accompanied his parents to Franklin County, Indiana. 
where he was reared and educated. He has made farming his occupa- 
tion during life, till in the past year, since which time he has been 



54^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 

engaged in the transfer business. In 1842 Mr. Price emigrated from 
Indiana to Iowa, and located in Henry County, where he resided a few 
years; for a short time he also lived in Lee County. Subsequently he 
came to Missouri, and located in Clarke County, and in the year i860 he 
came to Nodaway County, where he has since resided, excepting from 
the fall of 1878 till May, 1 880, during which time he was a citizen of 
Jewel County, Kansas. Mr. Price was married March 9, 1837, to Miss 
Abigal Scott, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
November 27, 18 17. She was reared in her native county till she 
attained her sixteenth year, when, with her parents, she immigrated to 
Franklin Count)', Indiana, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Price 
have had nine children, of whom Henry, William N., Sarah E. and The- 
odore J. are now living. 

SAMUEL W. PUNTENNEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post office College Springs, Iowa, 
was born in Adams County, Ohio, May 31, 1829. He was reared and 
educated in his native county, and in the spring of 1855, he moved to 
Hancock County, Illinois, and while in that location in 1862, he enlisted 
in Company D, Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry. He was mustered in 
September 1st as private, and mustered out in January, 1865, as second 
lieutenant, having participated in many important battles. After a time, 
he returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1866, he became a citizen of 
Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has for the past few years been 
making a specialty of raising fine stock. He now has a farm of 166 
acres, sixty-six of which are in Page County, Iowa. Mr. Puntenney was 
married October 21, 1852, to Miss Tabitha A. McMahan. She was also 
born in Adams County, Ohio, July 21, 1827, and was reared, educated, 
and married in her native county. Mr. and Mrs. P. have had ten child- 
ren, seven of whom are now living : Martha A. (now Mrs. Whittaker), 
born September 16, 1853 I Arminta D. (now Mrs. Scott), born October 
17, 1856; Ella S. (now Mrs. Russell), born August 7, 1858; John L., 
born February 24, 1862; Samuel H., born November 23, 1864; George 
A., born September 20, [866, and Francis M., born September 10, 1868. 
Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the United Presbyterian Church. 

REECE & ROSEBRAUGH. 

The drug business of Dawson is ably and creditably represented by 
the above named firm. The senior partner, A. A. Reece, was born in 
Fountain Count)-, Indiana, June 23, 1844. When he was but three years 
of age his parents moved to Coles County, Illinois, and in 1856, to Ful- 
ton County, Illinois. In August, [857, they located in Lincoln Town- 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 549 

ship, Nodaway County, Missouri. A. A. Reece was reared on a farm 
and educated in the common schools. In 1861, he returned to Coles 
County, Illinois, where he remained till 1866, and then again located in 
Nodaway County. He was engaged in farming till 1869, when he went 
to Madison Parish, Louisiana, where he embarked in the mercantile 
trade. In July, 1873, he disposed of his interest there and returned to 
Nodaway County. In 1876, he began in the drug business at Lamar 
Station, where he continued till February, 1880, when he moved his 
stcck of goods to his present location. In February, 1881, he accepted 
Mr. W. I. Rosebraugh as a partner. Mr. Reece was township collector 
in the year 1876. He is now a member of the I. O. O. F. society. He 
was married March 20, 1877, to Miss Nancy J. Mathews, who was born 
June 28, 1854. She is a native of Ohio. They have two children : Flora 
E., and David W. William I. Rosebraugh, the junior partner of this firm, 
was born in Coles County, Illinois, August 2, 1852. He was reared in 
his native county, and there educated. In the fall of 1879, ne came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, having previously made a trip to this county, 
and also the State of Kansas. His occupation has been that of agricul- 
tural pursuits till he began in his present business. He was married to 
Miss Ella Woodard, January 1, i88d. She was born in the year 1862, 
and is a native of Coles County, Illinois. 

DAVID REYNOLDS, 

farmer, section 11, post office Elmo, was born in Anderson County, Ten- 
nessee, May 19, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native county, 
and in 1854, he came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway County in the 
following spring. In 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service, and 
remained on duty till the close of the war, having most of the time been 
in Company H, Third Missouri Cavalry. He then resided in Nebraska 
till 1870, when he returned to Nodaway County. He has followed farm- 
ing from boyhood, and now owns a farm of 165 acres. Mr. Reynolds 
was married September 8, 1867, to Miss Paulina Campbell. She was 
born in Fleming County, Kentucky, May 13, 1849. They have had five 
children, three of whom are living: Francis C, born October 22, 1868; 
Amanda L., born June 10, 1876; and Carry E., born October 21, 1879. 
They are members of the M. E. Church South. 

HARRY R. RICHARDS, 

telegraph operator and agent for the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Rail- 
road, Elmo. The subject of this sketch is a native of Illinois, and was 
born in Bureau County, September 11, 1857. When six years of age he, 
with his parents, moved to St. Louis, where he was reared and educated. 



550 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

When twelve years old he began work as machinist and adjuster with 
fihe Wheeler M- Wilson Sewing Machine Company. He continued in the 
employ of this company for five years, after which he traveled over the 
State of Texas for about eighteen months. He subsequently became 
baggagemaster at Norborne, Carroll County, Missouri, where he remained 
three years, and at the same time learned the art of telegraphing. Mr. 
R. then worked as extra operator till October 20, 1879, since which 
time he has held his present position. He has been interested in the 
sale of lots for the railroad company, and is also one of four interested 
m the new addition to Elmo, which is destined to be the residence part 
of the town. Mr. Richards was married May 27, 1879, to Miss Liva 
Owens. She was born in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, 
December 18, 1861, and was principally educated in Kansas City. 

STEPHEN J. RUSSELL, 

farmer, section II, post office Elmo, was born in Lee County, Virginia, 
January 1, 1834, and is a son of Ransom and Elizabeth (Jones) Russell, 
who were both natives of Virginia. The subject of this sketch when 
about nine years of age, or in the year 1842, came with his parents to 
Missouri and located in Andrew County, where he was reared and edu- 
cated. His present occupation he has followed during life. In 1867, he 
came to his present location, and now has a farm of 205 acres. Mr. R. 
acted as justice of the peace for two years, and assessed the township 
during one year. He is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A F. and 
A. M. Mr. Russell was married February 23, 1858, to Miss Margaret S. 
Miller. She was born in Andrew County, Missouri, February 12, 1842, 
and is a daughter of Young E. and Sarah (Williams) Miller, the former 
a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Missouri. The family of Mr. and 
Mrs. R. consists of eight children, five of whom are living : Elbert E., 
Charles C, Loran L., Jasper J., and Oury O. They are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

THEODORE J. SCOTT, 

of the firm of Scott & Atherton, merchants, Elmo, and also general agent 
and manager for N. J. Stratton, grain dealer, is a native of Indiana, and 
was born in Franklin County, January 7, 1840. When four years of age, 
he moved with his parents to Lee County, Iowa, and in 1865 came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, locating on a farm, where he was engaged 
iu agricultural pursuits till 1875. Mr. Scott then moved to Lamar Sta- 
tion, where he was occupied in the drug business till January, 1880, 
except during one year, when he resided on his farm and for one season 
he was in the mountains. In 1880 he came to Elmo, and in July of that 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 55 I 

year he began buying grain for N. J. Stratton, which he has since con- 
tinued. September 22, 188 1, he embarked in the mercantile trade. Mr. 
S. is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was 
married March 5, 1873, to Amanda L. Neff. She was born in Scotland 
County, Missouri, September 18, 1857. They have one child: John L., 
born December 18, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

EDGAR C. SCOTT, 

farmer, section 31, post office College Springs, Iowa, is a son of Charles 
S. and Margaret (Crone) Scott, the former a native of Scotland, and the 
latter of Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of 
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, December 28, 1848. When a child, 
his parents moved to Ft. Madison, Iowa, where he resided till he was 
ten years of age, when he returned to Hancock County, Illinois. July 
8, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth United States Infantry, 
and remained in service till July 8, 1865, when he returned to Illinois. 
There he was engaged in farming till February, 1869, when he came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and is now the owner of a farm of eighty 
acres. Mr. Scott was married October 25, 1876, to Miss Arminta D. 
Puntenney. She was born in Hancock County, Illinois, October 17, 
1856, and is a daughter of S. W. Puntenney, of whom mention is made 
eleswhere. They have three children : Walter D., born August 28, 1877; 
Clara G., born April 18, 1878, and Ella, born July 7, 1881. 

DANIEL F. SEVERS, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 25, post office Elmo, was born in Ander- 
son County, East Tennessee, April 26, 1828, and was reared and edu- 
cated in his native county. His father being a blacksmith, Daniel also 
learned that trade, at which he worked till the year 1849, when, with his 
parents, he moved to Missouri. He was located in Ray County till the 
following spring, since which time he has resided in Nodaway County, 
except about four years, when he made his home in the southern part 
of Page County, Iowa. (That county joins Nodaway on the north.) 
Since coming to Missouri, Mr. Severs has made farming his main occu- 
pation. His landed estate consists of 275 acres, which, in the way of 
improvements, will compare favorably with any of the surrounding 
farms. January 25, 1849, Mr. S. was married to Miss Jane Lothery, a 
native of the same locality as himself. She was born March 7, 1827. 
They have seven children, Mary E., Sarah E., William P., Charles W., 
John S., Martha A. and Theodoscia E. Mr. S. can say for one that he 
was never sued and never had to pay a cent of cost on a debt. He and 
his wife are members of the Baptist Church. 



552 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HUGH M. SEVERS, 

farmer, section 29, post office Elmo, is a native of East Tennessee, and 
was born in Anderson County, September 15, 1837. When twelve years 
of age his parents moved to Missouri, and in the following spring located 
in Nodaway County. He was reared on a farm, and has followed agri- 
cultural pursuits during life. He has resided in Nodaway County since 
first locating here, except for two or three years, when he was engaged 
in freighting across the plains. His landed estate consists of 200 acres, 
all of which is well improved. Mr. Severs was married August 2, 1868, 
to Miss Julian I. Lamar. She was born in Anderson County, East Ten- 
nessee, in September, 1849, and died March 26, 1876. They had two 
children : Hattie E. and Charles W. 

WILLIAM P. SEVERS, 

of the firm of Lamar & Severs, merchants, Elmo, is a son of Daniel F. 
Severs, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. He was born in the south- 
ern part of Page County, Iowa, September 28, 1854, and has been reared 
and educated in Nodaway County, Missouri. He was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits till the spring of 1880, when he became associated with 
Mr. Lamar in their present business. Mr. Severs is a member of Canada 
Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. He was married January 27, 1876, to 
Miss Samantha Lamar. She was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, 
June 18, 1858, and died November 7, 1879. They had one child : Ada. 

MRS. JANE SHEPHERD 

is the widow of the late Franklin Shepherd, who was born in Brown 
County, Ohio, April 18, 18 1 2. He was reared on a farm in his native 
county, and made farming his occupation during life, except for six or 
seven years, when he was engaged at the cooper's trade. October 9, 
[834, he was married to Miss Jane McKee. They resided in Brown 
County, Ohio, till the spring of 1853, when they immigrated to Livings- 
ton County, Illinois, living there for one year, and then moving to Mar- 
shall County. In the fall of i860 they moved to Des Moines County, 
Iowa, and in 1865 came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where Mr. Shep- 
herd died June 4, 1876. They had a family of seven children, three of 
whom are now living: Thomas F., Robert A. and Sarah J. Mrs. S. was 
born in Brown County, Ohio, March 31, 1809, and resided in her native 
county until her marriage. At the time of Mr. S.'s death he left a farm 
of 136 acres, which has since been cared for by Mrs. S. and her sons. 
Mr. S. was a member of the U. P. Church, and Mrs. S. also belongs to 
that denomination. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 553 

CAPTAIN JOSHUA W. SHORT, 

farmer and wool-grower, section 6, post office Dawson. The subject of 
this sketch is among' the well known citizens of Lincoln Township, who 
have for several years been engaged extensively in the raising of sheep. 
He has a landed estate of over 400 acres, well improved, and a fine 
orchard of over 600 trees. The captain was born in Sangamon County, 
Illinois, March 25, 1825, and was reared in his native county. He has 
made farming his occupation during life. In 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, and in that fall was mustered in as pri- 
vate. He was promoted to captain in 1862, but in a short time resigned 
the position, after which he was discharged on account of sickness. 
Captain Short then returned home, and in 1863, he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss 
Burlinda Robinson, January 8, 1846. She was born in Sangamon 
County, Illinois, April 10, 1829, and died August 29, i860. They had 
eight children, only one of who is living : Charles E. His second mar- 
riage was to Miss Rachael C. Carson, which occurred November 9, 1863, 
She was also born in the same county as himself, December 22, 1832, 
They have one child : William C. 

CHARLES E. SHORT, 

farmer, section 5, post office Dawson. The subject of this biography is 
a son of Captain J. W. Short, a sketch of whom appears in this work. 
Charles E. was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, June 30, 1853, and 
when eleven years of age, he came with his parents to their present loca- 
tion, where he was principally educated. He has made farming his 
occupation during life, and now has a farm of ninety-two acres, on which 
he moved in December, 1880. His residence and surroundings are 
pleasant and inviting. Mr. Short was married to Miss Lola A. Scripter, 
February 1, 1874. She was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, July 19, 
1858. They have four children : Minnie, Walter, Dora and Laura. Mrs. 
Short's father, Isaac H. Scripter, now residing with them, was born in 
Massachusetts, August 20, 1813. He was reared and educated in the 
State of New York, and was there married to Miss Jane M. Day, the 
date of their marriage being January 22, 1839. They then moved to 
Sangamon County, Illinois, and in 1870, they moved to Missouri, and 
located in Atchison County. Mrs. Scripter was born in Jefferson County, 
Xew York, September 24, 18 16, and died June 10, 1881. They had a 
family of six children, three of whom are now living : Morrison R., John 
and Lola A. (now Mrs. Short). 



554 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN H. SNODDERLEY, 

farmer, section 31, post office College Spring, Iowa. The subject of this 
sketch is one of the pioneers of Lincoln Township. He was born 
in Fayette County, Kentucky, April 8, 18 19, and when but a boy his 
parents moved to Decatur Count}", Indiana, where they resided two 
years, and then located in Dearborn Count)- of the same state. From 
there the)- went to Hancock Count}-, Illinois, and in a short time moved 
to Lee County, Iowa, where John grew to manhood. He resided in Lee 
County, Iow-a, till 1856, when he moved to Page Count)-, and in the fol- 
lowing spring came to his present location. He has followed farming 
from boyhood and now owns a farm of 260 acres. Mr. S. was married 
August 4, 1843, to Miss Rebecca Walker. She was born in Crittenden 
County, Kentucky, in the year 1825, and died May 1, 185 1. They had 
three children, two of whom are living — Sarah M., born March 6, 1845; 
Mary A., born May 8, 1848. Mr. S. was again married January 19, 1852,. 
to Miss Catherine May. She was born in Washington Count}-, Indiana, 
December 3, 1827. They have had seven children: Minerva J., born 
February 24, 1854; Jacob J., born January 25, 1856; George W., born 
October 22, 1857 ; Elizabeth C, born February 4, i860 ; Abbie A., born 
June 29, 1862 ; Samuel W., born March 5, 1865 ; Minnie I., born June 
20, 1870. 

WILLIAM B. SPOOR, 

tanner, section 21, post office Elmo, is a native of Canada, and was born 
August 10, 1836. When twelve years of age his parents came to the 
Lmited States and located in Vermont, where they resided four years, 
and then moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1855, William went to Richland 
•County, Wisconsin, and located on a farm, having previous to this been 
in the tanning business, which trade he began to learn when in his thir- 
teenth year. After locating in Wisconsin, he was engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. In 1857, he came to Missouri, ami in i860, he located in 
Nodaway County, where he has since resided. His farm consists of 120 
acres. In 1861, he enlisted in Prices army, remaining with him till 
[862. He was then transferred east of the Mississippi River, in Com- 
pany E, Second Missouri Infantry, and remained in service till the close 
of the war. Mr. Spoor was married March 1, 1866, to Miss Serena 
Graves, who was born in Washington County, Kentucky, September 3, 
1844. She died April 24, 1875. They had five children, two of whom 
are living : Warren and Julia. Mr. S. was again married August 15, 
1875, to Miss Lydia A. Graves, a sister of his first wife. Sin- was born 
in the same county, March 23, 1846. They have three children : George 
"\\ '., < >range M., and Thomas M. Mr. S. is a member of the M. E. 
•Church, South. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 555 

TIBBETTS & BRADLY, 

druggists, Elmo. This firm is composed of E. C. Tibbetts and J. S. 
Brad!}-. The former was born in Lee County, Iowa, March [8, [838. 
He was educated in his native count}', being engaged in farming in that 
locality till 1856, when with his parents he came to Nodaway Count}-, 
Missouri, where he was abo occupied in farming till 1865. At that time 
he began in the drug business at Bradly's Mill, Iowa, where he continued 
till the spring of 1880, when he came to his present location. In 1873, 
he acted as township collector. He is a member of Canada Lodge, No. 
329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Tibbetts was married January 26, 1863, to Miss 
Julia A. Smith, of Boone County, Missouri. They have had five children, 
four of whom are now living : Nannie E., Flora F., Cora E., and Minnie 
B. The junior partner of the firm, J. S. Bradly, is a native of Missouri, 
and was born in Pettis County, April 29, 1852. When about one year 
old he was taken by his parents to Holt County, Missouri, where they 
resided a short time, then locating in Doniphan County, Kansas. There 
they remained till the spring of 1861, when they moved to Nodaway 
Count}-, Missouri. J. S. received the principal part of his education in 
this county, and after having completed it in the graded school of Gra- 
ham, he began teaching, which he successfully followed till 1876. He 
then began farming and dealing in sheep, which he continued till he 
became associated with E. C. Tibbetts in his present business. Mr. 
Bradly was married January 24, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Severs. She 
was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, September 18, 1851. The}' have 
two children: Leonard E., and Allie R. 

JOSEPH H. TIBBETTS, 

farmer, section 15, post office Elmo, was born in Lee County, Iowa. 
May 5, 1836, and in 1856, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri. In 
1865, he located in Atchison County, but in 1870, returned to Nodaway 
Count}-, and settled on the farm where he now resides. He has made 
farming his occupation during life, and at present has a farm of eighty 
acres. Mr. Tibbetts was married April 19, 1858, to Miss Ruth J. Crawdus. 
She was born in Marion County, Kentucky, Jul}- 29, 1838. They have 
had eleven children. Of these, ten are now living : Ann Eliza F., born 
July 7, 1859 ! William M., born October 23, i860 ; Martha E., born May 
31, 1862; Charles A., born October 12, 1864; George A., born October 
31, 1867; Emily B., born February 27, 1870; Esrom C, born Ma}- 25, 
1872 ; Rueller O., born March 13, 1874 ; Freddy, born July 25, 1876, and 
Adah Birdie, born May 6, 1880. 



556 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN C. TIBBETTS, 

farmer, section 36, post office Blanchard, Iowa, was born in Lee County, 
Jowa, May 17, 1841, and when fifteen years of age, with his parents, 
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He 
now has a farm of 160 acres moderately improved, upon which is an 
orchard consisting of four acres. Mr. T. was married May 3, 1868, to 
Miss Malissa E. Guthrie. She was born in Vermillion County, Illinois. 

THOMAS TUDDER, 

farmer, section 32, post office Elmo, was born in Howard County, Mis- 
souri, June 2, 1838, and when about two years of age his parents moved 
to Platte County, Missouri, where they remained till he attained his six- 
teenth year. They then moved to Nodaway County, Missouri. Thomas 
was educated in the schools of Platte County, and was reared in the 
occupation which he now follows. During the year 1876, he was 
engaged in freighting, and also followed that business in 1878-9. In 
1865, he moved to Burt County, Nebraska, where he resided one season, 
when he returned to Nodaway County, and in the spring of 1867, he 
moved to Pettis County, Missouri. After remaining there for one sea- 
son, he again returned to Nodaway County. He now has 200 acres of 
land, most of which is under cultivation. He is a member of Canada 
Lodge, No. 329, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Tudder was married November 
5, 1867, to Miss Sarah Snodderly. She was born in Lee County, Iowa, 
March 26, 1842. They have six children : James T., Oliver S., Joseph 
M., Daniel M., Josephine E., and Abbieline. 

JAMES D. TUDDER, 

farmer, section 27, post office Elmo, is also a native of Missouri, who 
was born in Platte County, September 24, 1851. When two years of age 
he came to Nodaway County, where he has since resided. He has fol- 
lowed farming during life, and now has a farm of 120 acres. He was 
married October 29, 1 87 1, to Miss Sarah A. Wade, an estimable lady. 
She was born in Page County, Iowa, September 22, 1852. They have 
had four children, three of whom are now living : William I., born Feb- 
ruary 2, 1873 ; Katie, born February 12, 1878, and one infant son, born 
August 14, 1 88 1. Mr. T. is a successful young farmer, and is respected 
by his man} - acquaintances. 

JAMES D. WADE, 

farmer, section 12, post office Elmo, was born in Clinton County, Ten- 
nessee, November 22, 1847, and when but a child his parents moved to 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 557 

Missouri, and located in Clay County. Ten months afterward, Mr. Wade 
came to Nodaway County, where he has since resided, except during 
eight years, when he was in Page County, Iowa. He now has a farm of 
seventy acres. July i, 1871, Mr. Wade was married to Miss Amanda E. 
Cox. She was born in Andrew County, Missouri, May 19, 1853. They 
have one child : Florence O. 

JAMES F. WALLACE, 

merchant and postmaster, Dawson. The subject of this sketch is a son 
of Joseph F. Wallace, who was born in Anderson County, East. Tennes- 
see, August 3, 1822. He was there reared on a farm. January 27, 1843, 
he was married to Miss Amanda C. Lamar, and in the fall of 1843 he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri Since then he has moved back to 
Tennessee several times and to Texas twice, remaining but a short time 
in either state. With this excption he has resided in Nodaway County, 
and now lives in Dawson. He has during life been engaged in the mer- 
cantile trade at different periods, but has principally been interested in 
farming. Mrs. Wallace was also a native of Anderson County, East Ten- 
nessee, and was born December 11, 1824. They had a family of nine 
children, six of whom are living: James F., Joseph, Charley R., Eliza F., 
Mary E. and Amanda. James F., the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Anderson County, East Tennessee, in March, 1845. He resided with his 
parents during their various moves, and was educated in the different 
localities where they resided. In September, 1863, he enlisted in the 
United States service in Company F., Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and 
remained on duty till the close of the war, when he returned to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. He has for several years been engaged in the mer- 
cantile trade, and October 6, 1880, he accepted the duties of postmaster. 
Mr. Wallace was married April 8, 1866, to Miss Miriam A. Walker. 
She was born in Buchanan County, MissouriTApril 4, 1850. Their fam- 
ily consists of six children : Lillie M.. James A., Joseph D., Ollie L., Mirj- 
nie L. and William T. 

JOHN A. WILLIAMS. 

farmer, section 4, post office Elmo, is a native of New York, and was 
born in the town of Granby, Oswego County, July 2, 1825. He was 
reared in his native count}-, and educated in the Seminary, in the City 
of Fulton. When fourteen years of age, he learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed in this locality till 1844, when he went to Jo 
Daviess County, Illinois. There he entered a tract of land and 
remained tor one year, when he returned to his native home and worked 
at his trade two years, making enough money to pay for his land. Dur- 



558 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ing the fall of 1847, he located on his farm, where he resided engaged in 
farming till 1872, when he came to his present location. Here he has 
since made farming his occupation, and has eighty-five acres of land 
which, in the way of improvements, will compare favorably with any in 
the township- Mr. Williams was married August II, 1848, to Miss 
Mary E. Eggleston. She was born in Onondaga County, New York, 
August 22, 1830. They have had six children, four of whom are living: 
Ann Eliza (now Mrs. Dow^), Olive (now Mrs. Appleby), Job, and 
Anthony H. 

THOMAS WILSON, 

proprietor of the Mill Creek Mill. Among the experienced and famil- 
iarly known millers in the State of Missouri, is the subject of the follow- 
ing sketch. He is a native of Vermillion County, Illinois, and was born 
December 6, 1837. While a child he moved with his parents to Warren 
Count\% Indiana, and when fourteen years old he began in his present 
occupation, which he followed till 1862. By this time he had returned 
to Illinois, having grown to manhood. During the beginning of the war 
he was in the independent service for three months, or till after the draft 
was over, when by the influence of his most intimate comrades he joined 
the Ku Klux. While in an old house in a field one evening taking their 
oaths there seemed to be more masters than Ku Klux; therefore, he and 
others were taken prisoners, but by having to pass through a desolate 
slough, he and his partner by their shrewdness freed themselves. Mr. 
W. then started for Missouri in the year 1862. He located on a farm in 
Gentry Count}', whe-re for three years he was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, but not being suited to that business, he returned to his chosen 
calling, which he has since continued. In 1879, l le came to his present 
location, and since then has been doing a thriving business, as the Mill 
Creek Mill is well known in this section of the country. In the year 
188 1, he replaced the old mill with a new one, which now compares 
favorably with any in Northwest Missouri. It is situated within three- 
quarters of a mile of the thriving town of Elmo, which is destined to 
become a city of some note, being surrounded by a wealthy country. 
Mr. Wilson has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in the 
year [865, to Miss Rachel Martin, who died in November, 1873. He 
took for his second wife Melvina Cramer, the date of this marriage being 
1S75. By this union the}- have two children : Martha and one infant 
son. Mr. \V. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. W. of the 
Catholic Church. 

I. B. WOODARD, 

proprietor of harness shop, Elmo, is a son of Ichabod and Sarah (Ben- 
nett) Woodard, the former of New Jersey, and the latter of Staten 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 559 

Island. I. B. was born in Hocking County, Ohio, December [6, [831, 
and was there reared on a farm. In 1854, he moved to Decatur County, 
Iowa, where he entered a tract of land from the government. Having 
learned the shoemaking trade while in Ohio, he began work in a harness 
shop at Leon, which he continued till the beginning of the war. In July 
of 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Iowa Infantry, and was for 
the first twelve months in active service, being in Price's raid. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Pea Ridge, after which he was detailed as nurse 
in the field hospital till the latter part of June, 1862, when he was fur- 
loughed for thirty days, on account of sickness. By this time he was 
ordered to the nearest hospital fit being at Keokuk), where he remained 
till August 31, 1S64, when he returned home in much impaired health, 
not being able to work during the next three years. August 20, 
1877, Mr. Woodard moved to Essex, Page County, Iowa, where he 
remained till August, 1879, and then located in Burlington Junction, 
Nodaway County, Missouri. Since the war he has been engaged in 
various blanches of business, and, in August, 188 1, he opened up his 
shop in Elmo, where he has since been doing well, with a good prospect 
of continued success. Mr. W. was married to Miss Sarah Lindsey, 
March 29, 1866. They have three children: Wade, Jennie and Nellie. 
Mrs. W. was born in Fayette County, Ohio, March 18, 1847, and is a 
daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Tomlinson) Lindsey, the former of Vir- 
ginia, and the latter of Ohio. 

J. H. WOODWARD, M. D., 

Dawson. The subject of this sketch ranks among the foremost with 
the brethren of the medical profession of Nodaway County. He is a 
native of Lee County, Virginia, and was born June 30, 1848. When he 
was a small boy his parents moved to Daviess County, Missouri, and in a 
short time located in Harrison County, this state, where he was reared. 
He there began the study of medicine in the fall of 1870, under the 
tutorship of F. M. Winningham, M. D. In the spring of 1875, he grad- 
uated from the Cincinnati Medical Institute, and immediately began 
his practice in Bourbon County, Kentucky, where he continued in his 
profession till the fall of 1879, when he returned to Missouri. Dr. W. 
was then engaged in practicing in Harrison County and other localities 
of Missouri, till July, 1881, when he located in Dawson, where he is 
meeting with a considerable degree of success. He was married to his 
present wife, March 15, 1881, her maiden name being Miss Sallie A. 
Brink. She is a native of Kentucky, and was born in October, 1 85 5 - 

JOHN S. WOOD, 

of the firm of Bilby, W r ood & Co., merchants, Dawson, was born in 
Pulaski County, Kentucky, June 8, 1845. In 1 850 his parents moved to 



560 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Missouri, and located in a part of the Platte Purchase which is now known 
as Andrew County. He was reared and educated in different parts of 
Northwestern Missouri, and in 1864 he came to Nodaway County. In 
1865 he went to Maryville, where he was engaged in various branches of 
business till he came to his present location, clerking in stores, book- 
keeping, etc. In the fall of 1869 he acted as deputy assessor, and in 1870 
he was appointed county assessor, to fill the vacancy caused by the death 
of Spencer Stark. This position he held till the office was abolished, in 
187 1. In 1 872 Mr. Wood was elected public administrator of the count}-,, 
which office he filled near four years in a most satisfactory manner 
February 23, 1880, he came to Dawson, and began buying grain with his 
present partner, William B. Dougherty, which he still continues. In con- 
nection with their store, they also carry a large stock of agricultural 
implements. Mr. Wood was married November 8, 1868, to Miss Cassie 
Cleland. She was born in the year, 1848, and was a native of Nodaway 
County, Missouri. She died July 16, 1875. They had two children: 
Maurice and Walter. Mr. W. was married the second time March 21, 
1S77, to Miss Zanie Custer. She was born in Delaware County, Iowa, in 
February, 1849. By this union they have one child : Frederick. 

CAPTAIN JACOB YAPLE, 

farmer, section 16, post office Elmo. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Illinois, and was born in Cass County. December 30, 1841. He 
was reared in his native county, and there received the advantage of a 
common school education. July 19, 1862. he enlisted in the Federal 
service in Company C, One Hundred and First Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, being mustered in as fourth sergeant and mustered out at 
Washington City, June 7, 1865, as captain. This commission he received 
at Atlanta. Georgia. September 18. 1864. He was with Sherman on his 
celebrated march to the sea, and during his time in service participated 
in a number of noted battles. December 24, [862, he was captured at 
Holly Springs and parolled till the July following. After he received 
his discharge at Springfield, Illinois, he returned to Cass Count}-, where 
he was engaged in tilling the soil till the spring of [868, at which time 
he became a citizen of Nodaway Count}-, Missouri. Here Captain Y. is 
considered one of the most prominent and successful of men. His landed 
estate consists of 140 acres, and is conveniently located within one and 
a-half miles "of the thriving City of Elmo. In [880, he acted as one of 
the census enumerators of Lincoln Township, and in April, 1880. he was 
elected to a two years term as assessor of this township, which duty he 
has filled to the satisfaction of the people. January 11, [866, Captain 
Yaple took for a partner Miss Mai}- Pratt, who was born in Cass Count}', 
Illinois, December 25. [842. She was there reared, educated and mar- 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 561 

ried. They have a family of eight children : Annie L., born July 26, 
1867 ; Allen T., born September 19, 1869; Emily J., born December 9, 
187 1 ; Clara M., born May 26, 1873 ; George E., born July 2, 1875 : Mary 
F., born May 5, 1877 ; John J., born October 17, 1879 I David H., born 
October 20, 1-8-8 1 . 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 



GEORGE L. ANDREWS, 



section 3, post office Braddyville. The subject of this sketch is a native 
■of Ohio, and was born in Lake County, November 14, 1848. At the age 
of nine years he, with the family, emigrated to Missouri and settled in 
this county, where he was raised to manhood and received his education. 
In 1867, he settled on the place where he now resides. His farm of 320 
acres will compare with any in the county, 170 acres of which are under 
cultivation. Mr. A. was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Johnson in 
1867. She is a daughter of E. W. Johnson, mention of whom is made 
elsewhere. They have five children : Ephraim A., John E., Joseph J., 
Ida F., and Everett. Mr. A. is a member of the I. O. O. F. During the 
war he was a member ot Company H, Fifty-first Missouri Infantry. 

JESSE BEVER, 

section 3, post office Burlington Junction. The subject of this sketch is 
a native of Fountain County, Indiana, and was born October 6th, 1852. 
When one year old, he was taken to Ringgold County, Iowa, where he 
was raised in the occupation he now follows. In 1869, he moved to this 
•state and county, and settled on his present location. He has 160 acres 
of land, as good as any in the township, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Bever was married October nth, 1869, to Miss Emma 
McMillan, a native of Indiana. They have two children, Estella and 
Fred. Mr. Bever is school director of this district. 

WILLIAM P. BARGER, 

section 19, post office Clearmont. Among the successful farmers of this 
district, the subject of this sketch will bear more than a passing notice. 



562 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

He is a native of Jackson County, Iowa, and was born September 23, 
1843. He was there reared until sixteen years of age, when he emi- 
grated to Missouri, and settled in this county. In 1870, he located 
where he now resides. He is a carpenter by trade, and has worked on 
some of the best buildings in and about Clearmont. He has, where he 
now resides, a fine farm of eighty-five acres, all of which is under culti- 
vation. Mr. B. has been twice married ; first, to Miss Sarah Chamness. 
They had three children : William S., Henry P., and Richard T. Mrs. 
B.'s death occurred December 28, 1868. Mr. Barger was again married 
January I, 1872, to Miss Miranda Wallace, an estimable lad)-. They 
have five children : Lenora E., Laura E., Alex, Martha A., and an 
infant. During our late war Mr. B. enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth 
Missouri Regiment, serving two months, when he was taken prisoner 
at the battle of Lexington, Missouri. After an imprisonment of two 
months, he again joined the same company, it then being changed to 
Company — , Twenty-fifth, and was consolidated with and became a 
part of the First Western Engineer Regiment, and assigned to Sher- 
man's command — the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the 
battles of Lexington (Missouri), Shiloh, Jonesborough, Atlanta (Geor- 
gia), and others. This company was mustered out September 14, 1864. 

DAVID Mc BOOZE, 

section 1, post office Hopkins, is one of the successful farmers of this 
vicinity. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Washington 
County, March 4, 1829. He was there raised to manhood, following the 
occupation of farming. In 1866, he immigrated to Taylor County, Iowa, 
where he resided eight years, after which he removed to this count)-, and 
settled where he now resides. He has 120 acres of land, that will 
compare favorably with any in the county, sixty-five acres of which are 
under cultivation. Mr. Booze was married, in 1852, to Miss Lucinda 
Lytle. They have by this union seven children : Florence, Albinus, 
Josephine, Phoebe C, Emma, Charles and Christian D. They are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

DENNIS N. BURCH, 

section 6, post office Braddyville. This gentleman is a native of Indi- 
ana, and was born in Monroe County, August 10, 185 1. He was there 
reared to manhood and educated, following the occupation of farming. 
Si ptember 20, 1872, he immigrated to Missouri and settled in this county, 
and in 1881, he moved on the place where he now resides. He has fifty- 
seven acres of good average land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. 
Burch was married September 20, 1873, to Miss Susan Miller. They 
have by this happy union one child : Bertha M. 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 5^3 

GEORGE CARPENTER, 

retired farmer, post office Clearmont. As an old settler of this district 
the subject of this sketch is worthy of more than a passing notice. He 
came to this county at an early day with but little of this world's goods, 
and by hard and incessant labor and strict adherence to principles of 
honesty, has gathered together a large competency. Mr. C. is a native 
of Kentucky, and was born November 30, 181 3. He was there raised to 
manhood, following the occupation of farming. In 1834, he left his home, 
and after stopping a short time in different places in the state, in 1837, 
he emigrated to Indiana, and after a long residence there of nineteen 
years, he removed to this county and settled, where his son now resides. 
His estate at present consists of 120 acres of land. Mr. Carpenter was 
married April 17, 1839, to Miss Nancy Guilliams. They have four chil- 
dren : Ann, Mildred, Richard T., and George P. Mr. C. was school 
director of the Clearmont District for several years. 

GEORGE P. CARPENTER, 

section 30, postoffice Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native ot 
Indiana, and was born in 1847. When he was nine years of age the 
family emigrated to Missouri, and settled on the place where he now 
resides. He has 513 acres of land that will compare favorably with any 
in the county, 360 of which are under cultivation. Mr. C. was married 
September 12, 1867, to Miss Jennette Ringgold, an estimable lady. 
They have five children : Willard G., Ollie N., Alma E., Mollie M. and 
Addie S. During the war, Mr. C. enlisted in Company C, Fourth Mis- 
souri State Militia Cavalry. He has been school director of his district, 
and also road overseer. He and his wife are members of the Baptist 
Church of Clearmont. 

ROBERT CARR, 

section 7, post office Braddyville, is one of the successful agriculturists 
of this county, and was born in New York, November 29, 1827. He was 
there raised to manhood as a farmer, and received his education in the 
schools of that clay. In 1871, he immigrated to Missouri, and settled 
where he now resides. He has 177 acres of fine land, 120 acres of which 
are under cultivation. Mr. Carr was married in May, i85i,to Miss Anna 
A. Hall, an estimable lady, also a native of New York. They have two 
children : Emma R., and Homer W. 

JOHN W. CISSNA, 

dealer in general merchandise, Clearmont. This business was estab- 
lished by Mr. C. in 1875, and now the proprietor may point with pride 



564 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

at the unusual success achieved by so young a man in so short a time. 
He carries a large, complete and varied stock, and has many friends and 
patrons, and is one of the solid men of the town. Mr. C. is a native of 
Ohio, and was born June 20, 1849. He was raised to manhood and edu- 
cated in his native state, spending his younger days on a farm. At the 
age of twenty-one years he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in old 
Clearmont. He purchased the stock of Rogers & Smith, and continued 
the business there till 1881, when he concluded to move to the new 
town. Consequently he built the commodious store which he now occu- 
pies. Mr. Cissna was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia B. Bennett, 
an estimable lady, in 1873. They have from this union four children : 
Edward M., John C, Frank B. and Mary. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellow and Masonic fraternities, and has been township assessor, and 
also township trustee. 

WILLIAM B. COMBS, 

section 25, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Monroe County, Indiana, and was born November 22, 1838. At the 
age of fourteen he removed to Shelby County, Illinois, where he resided 
for fifteen years, and from Shelby County he came west, and settled in 
this county in 1872. He has fifty acres of beautiful farm land, forty acres 
of which are under cultivation. Mr. Combs was married in 1863, to Miss 
Freelove Sexton, a native of Indiana. Six children have been born to 
them, as follows : Eliza J., James A., Thomas D., Laura A., Viola B., 
and William L. 

DAVID COOK, 

section 9, post office Clearmont, is a native of Indiana, and was born 
October 23, 1828. He was raised to manhood and received a common 
school education at his birthplace, and has always followed his present 
occupation. In 1874, he emigrated to Page County, Iowa, residing in 
that county one year, after which time he came to this state and county, 
where he has since resided. He has eighty acres of land that will aver- 
age with any in the county, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Cook 
was united in marriage in 1851, to Indiana Rairie, an estimable lady. 
They have from this union three children ; Margaret, Mark and Rufus. 

CRAIG & SMITH, 

dealers in hardware, tinware and sporting goods, and also agricultural 
implements. In 1879 this firm embarked in the lumber business at Clear- 
mont, and continued the same for thirteen months, doing a business in 
that line of $35,000. After this they sold the lumber business to Jones 
& Hotaling, and after erecting their large and roomv building which 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 565 

they now occupy, they started in their present occupation. Craig & 
Smith have one of the largest stocks of goods in the county, and do a 
business that would be an honor to an older established house. The 
senior member of this firm, Wm. G. Craig, is a native of Indiana, and first 
saw the light December 8, 1843. When at the age of two years, he, 
with the family, emigrated to Andrew County, Missouri, where he was 
principally raised, spending his youthful days in agricultural pursuits. 
In 1863 he enlisted in the Third Provisional troops, and after their dis- 
bandment he enlisted in Company B, Forty-third Missouri Regiment, 
and was corporal of that company, serving till the close of the war. After 
that time he returned home, and in 1867 removed to DeKalb County, 
this state, and engaged in the milling business. In 1870 he disposed of 
that and purchased the general store of John Barton, of Maysville, that 
county, which business he continued till 1872, when he came to Clear- 
mont, and bought the stock of the two drug stores then in existence. He 
consolidated them and continued the business with good success till 
November 22, 1879, when he sold out to James & Wilkin, and became 
associated with Mr. Smith, forming the present firm. Mr. Craig was 
married October 26, 1865, to Miss Julia A. Kelly, an estimable lady. 
They have four children living: Cynthia A., Charles W., Ernst L. and 
an infant. Mr. C. is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and is their pres- 
ent junior deacon. He was a notary public and served four years. He 
is at present justice of the peace of this township, and was postmaster of 
Clearmont, having commenced the duties of that position November 8, 
1875. He served four and a-half years. W. F. Smith, the junior partner 
of this firm, is a native of Missouri, and was born in this county, Ma)' 22, 
1858. In his youthful days he followed the occupation of farming. He 
received the advantages of a good education, attending for some time 
the college at College Springs, Iowa. He is one of our representative 
business men, and one of the leaders of all movements that tends to the 
welfare of the business or morality of Clearmont. He is clerk of this 
township, and was in 1876 assistant collector of the same. 

JOSEPH DAWES, 

section 27, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch, one of the 
early settlers of Nodaway County, is a native of Kentucky, and was born 
in Madison County, June 23, 1834. He was there educated and raised 
to manhood. In 1858, he started west, stopping for some six months in 
Nebraska. From there he immigrated to Andrew County, Missouri, 
remaining there till i860, when he removed and settled in this count}-. 
In 1872, he settled on his present place, a farm containing 200 acres, 120 
acres being under cultivation. Mr. Dawes was married August 13, i860, 
£0 Miss Katie A. Hudgeons, a native of Missouri. They have had nine 



- ? C>C) BIOGRAPHICAL. 

children : John B., Tabitha I., Mary A., Margaret E., James T., George 
R., Arlington L., (now deceased), Eliza A., and Luticia. Mr. Dawes has 
been road master and school director of his district. 

BENJAMIN C. DOWNEY, 

section 31, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Michigan, and was born March 31, 1854. He was raised in his native 
state till he attained his fifteenth year, when he emigrated to Missouri, 
and settled where he now resides. He has 160 acres of land, all of 
wh ch is under cultivation. M. Downey was married, in 1875, to Miss 
Martha Hicks, an estimable lady. They have three children : Rosa L. ; 
Hugh B. and Arthur T. Mrs. Downey is a member of the M. E. Church. 

L. C. EVANS. 

John M. Evans, dealer in general merchandise, established business 
in Clearmont in 1880. Since opening, he has had a large and con- 
stantly increasing trade. The gentlemanly manager of this firm, L. C. 
Evans, to whom their success is largely due, is a native of Wales, and 
was born October 4, 1840. At the age of nine years he was brought by 
his father's family to this country. They settled in New York, and 
after a residence there of ten years, emigrated to McLean Count)', 111., 
where L. C. resided ten years. From there he came to Missouri and 
settled in this county. In 1877, he went to Colorado, remaining for two 
years in the mountains, and in 1879, he returned to Missouri and 
accepted the agency of the Wabash Railroad at this point, a position 
which he still holds. Previous to his trip to Colorado, he was engaged 
in the grocery business at Maryville. Mr. Evans was married January 
1, 1870, to Miss Rachel J. Jones, an estimable lady. They have three 
children : Mary, Ella, and Elizabeth. During the war, in 1862, Mr. E. 
enlisted in Company K, Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, and served 
three years, participating in the following battles : Siege of Vicksburg, 
Ft. Morgan (Lousiana), Spanish Fort, and the defense of Mobile, and 
others. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the 
Presbyterian Church. 

PERRY A. FARRENS, 

sections 21 and 22, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is 
a native of Page County, Iowa, where he was born February 13, 1857. He 
was there raised to manhood and educated, following the occupation of 
fanning. In 1X80 he removed to Missouri, and settled where he now 
resides. He has 160 acres of land that will compare favorably with any 
in the county, 100 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Farrens was 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 567 

united in marriage to Miss Lizzie McDonald, March 1, 1880. They have 
from this union one child : Vina M. 

THOMAS E. FROST, 

section 14, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of England, and was born in 1851. He there remained till his sixth 
year, when he emigrated to America and settled in Massachusetts, 
where he resided six months. After that time he, with the family, 
located in Iowa, and after living there ten years, he accompanied the 
family to this county and settled where they now reside. He is exten- 
sively engaged with his father, Thomas, in the cultivation of the farm, 
which occupation he has followed through life. 

JOHN H. FRYMIRE, # 

section 13, post office Clearmont, is one among the many successful and 
progressive farmers of this county, and deserves more than a passing 
notice. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born October 4, 1828. At 
the age of eight years, with the family, he emigrated to Warren County, 
Illinois, where he spent his youthful days on a farm. In 1854 he embarked 
in mercantile pursuits in Monmouth, Illinois, and was during the ten . 
years following the most prominent business man of that place, conduct- 
ing at that time no less than five separate lines of business — dry goods, 
grocery and wholesale liquor store, a tannery and was engaged in buy- 
ing grain. After this he returned to the occupation of farming, at which 
he worked till 1878, when he emigrated to Missouri and settled in this 
county. In 1881 he located where he now resides. He has 160 acres of 
good average land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. F. was married 
June 21, 1849, t° Miss Mary L. Griffee. They have eight children : Wil- 
liam T., Ellen, Eva, John, Emmel, Barney, Sarah and EfBe. Mr. F. at 
one time was city treasurer of Monmouth, Illinois. He is road commis- 
sioner of the township. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

MARCUS A. GAUGH, M. D., 

physician and surgeon, Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and was born June 30, 1850. 
When he was six years of age, the family immigrated to Iowa, and set- 
tled in Sioux City, where he was raised to manhood. At the age of 
eighteen years, he began the study of his chosen profession, under the 
guidance of Doctor Long, of St. Joseph, with whom he remained nine 
years. He graduated from the Hospital Medical College, of that City, 
and subsequently began the practice of his profession in St. Joseph, 
continuing the same for four years. Alter this time Doctor Gaugh 



568 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

removed to Clearmont. He has a large and lucrative practice, and is an 
affable and perfect gentleman, as well as a thorough physician. Dr. G. 
was united in marriage October 15, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Toole, daughter 
of Judge Toole, of St. Joseph. They have had two children to bless 
their union, Eva A. and Charles R. The doctor is a member of the 
I. O. O. F., Enterprise Lodge, No. 232, of St. Joseph. 

H. P. GILLESPIE, 

section 10, post office Hopkins. The subject of the following narrative, 
is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born May 15, 1846. He was raised 
in his native state till he attained the age of fifteen years, when, with 
the family, he migrated to Iowa County, Iowa, where he resided two 
years. From there he removed to Illinois, where he made his home ten 
years, after which time he located in Page County, Iowa. After a resi- 
dence there of one year he returned to Illinois, remaining one year, and 
then came to this county, where he has since resided. He has 165 acres 
of good average land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Gilles- 
pie was married March 17, 1869, to Miss Mary Grace, an estimable 
lady. They have from this union two children : Effie and Robert. Mr. 
G. is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a thorough and progressive 
farmer, and is favorably known as such throughout the county. 

JESSE N. GOODSON, M. D., 

physician and surgeon, Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Clinton County, Ohio, and was born September 20, 1846. He 
was reared to manhood and educated at his birth-place, and began the 
study of. his chosen profession with Dr. Gillum, of Tolona, Missouri, 
remaining under his tutorship one year. After that time he studied 
under the guidance of J. C. Hubbard, and one year later he entered the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, of which insti- 
tion he is a graduate. In 1875, Dr. Goodson came to Clearmont and 
commenced the practice of his profession. He has a large and increas- 
ing practice, and ranks high among the men of his profession. He was 
united in marriage March 8, 1870, to Miss Mary J. Anderson, a 
native of Missouri. They have from this union three children : V. E., 
Bertha J., and Florence. The doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
belonging to Burlington Lodge, No. 440. He is also a member of Bur- 
lington Lodge, No. 442, A., F. and A. M. During the late war he 
belonged to Company F, 188th Ohio Infantry, and was discharged with 
that regiment after nine months' service. He has a fine farm of 160 
acres, in section 21, of Atchison Township; also some town property in 
Clearmont. 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 569 

ALEXANDER GRAY, 

section 29, post office Clearmont. Prominent among the men who have 
been closely identified with the agricultural and mercantile interests of 
this district stands the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Indiana, 
and was born September 27, 1835. He was there reared to manhood, fol- 
lowing farming as an occupation. In 1857, he immigrated to Missouri, 
and settled where Clearmont now stands. In 1867, he engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits in that place, and after a lapse of six months, he sold a 
half interest to W. M. Gray, the firm then being Gray & Gray. With 
this firm he was engaged in business for fourteen months, then selling out. 
Mr. G. was next occupied in operating a saw mill, which he continued for 
one year, at the same time managing his farm. Then with his old part- 
ner, W. M. Gray, he purchased their old business, which they continued 
one year, W. M. Gray then selling to the subject of this sketch. Under 
the name of the latter it was conducted one year. Mr. Gray then dis- 
posed of his stock to Smith & Rogers, and devoted his time to farming 
on the place where he now resided He has two hundred acres of fine 
land, 150 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. G. has been twice 
married. First, April fi, 1858, to Miss Mahala Shanklin. They had 
four children : James A., Asa A., Effie F., and Ada M. Mrs. Gray's 
death occurred April 27, 1879. He was again united in marriage Sep- 
tember 2, 1880, to Mrs. Mary J. Miller. At the breaking out of the war, 
Mr. G. enlisted in the State Militia, serving six months, and in 1862, he 
enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and was sergeant of 
that company for about two years, when he was commissioned second 
lieutenant. This position he held till the close of the war. He is one 
of the township trustees, and was justice of the peace for two years. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has held the offices of secre- 
tary and senior and junior wardens. 

JAMES GRAY, 

section 21, post office Clearmont. Mr. Gray is a native of Washington 
County, Pennsylvania. When at an early age he removed to Marshall 
County, West Virginia, where he resided until fifteen years of age. He 
then went to Noble County, Ohio, where he made his home for twenty- 
one years, following the occupation of farming. In the year 1856 he 
emigrated westward, and settled in Missouri. He has 180 acres of land 
that compares favorably with any in the county, most of which is under 
cultivation. He was married in 1845, to Rachel Haines, a native of Ohio. 
They have raised a large family of children, as follows : James D. C.,. 
Charles M., Sarah J., Isabella, Elizabeth A., Louisa, Rachel L., Dora E. 
and Ida E. Mr. Gray has been constable of this township for three 
years. During the war he was a member of the state militia. 



570 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ELI HICKS, 

section 19, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Tennessee, and was born May 16, 1808. When one year old he was 
taken by his parents to Highland County, Ohio, where he was raised to 
manhood, following the occupation of farming. At the age of twenty- 
three he immigrated to Mongomery County, Indiana, and, after a resi- 
dence there of six years, he returned to Bond County, Illinois, where he 
remained seven years. From there he went to Jefferson County, in 
1844, and resided there two years. At the end of that period Mr. 
H. returned to Illinois, and settled in Schuyler County, where he lived 
for eighteen years, next going to Minnesota. Seven years later, he 
migrated to Montgomery County, Iowa, and made his home in that 
vicinity two years. He then came to Missouri, settling in Maryville, 
Nodaway County, where he resided eighteen months, after which time 
he came to Clearmont. After a short residence there, in 1873, he set- 
tled where he now resides. He has over eighty-two acres of good land, 
all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Hicks has been twice married. 
First, in 1834, to Miss Mary A. McMillen. They had one child, Hester 
A. Mrs. Hick's death occurred in 1841. Mr. H. was again united in 
marriage November 23, 1841, to Jalah Stollard. They have nine chil- 
dren : Mary E., Annie J., John K., Martha E., Nancy M., George S., 
Anna M., Benjamin L. and Joseph J. Mr. Hicks is a member of the M. 
E. Church. 

JAMES S. HOVER, 

section 26, post office Clearmont. James S. Hover is a native of 
Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1808. At the tender age 
of three years, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, where he resided 
for twenty-six years. When twenty-nine years old he moved to Allen 
County, and at the age of thirty-two years he located in Jackson 
County, Missouri ; residing there some six years, he again changed his 
home, this time coming to Nodaway Count)'. He finally settled upon 
his present farm of eighty acres, of which he has most all under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Hover was joined in wedlock to Miss Melville Collins in 
1835. She is a native of Ohio. Four children have been born to them, 
as follows : David N., Louisa K., Mary A., James F. 

WILLIAM HOUSTON, 

section 32, pos^ office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Jackson County, Indiana, and was born November 3, 1839. At the 
age of two years, he, with the family, emigrated to Andrew Count)', Mis- 
souri, and after a residence there of five years he moved to this county, 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 57 1 

where he was educated and reared to manhood, following the occupation 
of farming. In 1879 he moved to the place where he now resides. He 
has 150 acres of land that will average with any in the county, all of 
which is under cultivation. Mr. H. was married March 15, 1866, to Miss 
Margaret Orme, a native of Indiana. By this union five children were 
born to them : James N., Louisa E., Henry L., Charles E. and Albert L. 
Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. H. was also a 
participant in the late war, he having enlisted in 1863 to the call for six 
months volunteers. He was with the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, Com-* 
pany D. After a number of engagements he was discharged from ser- 
vice July 27, 1865. 

ALEXANDER M. HULS, 

section 33, post office Clearmbnt. Among the old settlers and present 
successful farmers of Nodaway County, is the subject of this sketch. He 
is a native of Kentucky — was born June 30, 1814^ in Fleming Count}-. 
He was there educated and raised to manhood. Mr. H., like many 
others, found it difficult to procure an education ; but with others, and 
by hard perseverence, he did succeed in procuring such schooling as 
could be obtained in those days, from the old log-cabin school house of 
that date. In the month of September, 1853, he emigrated to Marion 
County, Indiana, and after a residence there of three years, he moved, 
in 1856, to Missouri, and settled where he now resides. He has 190 
acres of fine land, eighty acres under cultivation. Mr. H. was married 
January 16, 1845, to Matilda Hart, a native of Kentucky. Two children 
were born to them : Sarah E. and Mary A. Mrs. Huls' death occurred 
June 16, 1853. Mr. Huls was again married April 20th, 1856, to Miss 
Eliza J. Shanklin, a native of Indiana. By his second marriage there 
are eight children : John, born January 24, 1857 ; Corrilla, born January 
25, 1859 ! Matilda A., Born May 26, 1861 ; James A., born April 30, 1864 ; 
Charles H., born October 14, 1866; Eliza E., born January 13, 1869; 
William S., born January 29, 1872, and an infant. Mr. H. is a member 
of the Second Adventist Church, and also belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity of Clearmont. He has been justice of the peace of this township 
for two years, was township trustee one term, and judge of the county 
court one term, filling that position very acceptably. 

JAMES & WILKIN, 

dealers in drugs and stationery ; also, postmaster, Clearmont. In 1879, 
this firm purchased the drugs and stationery stock of W. G. Craig. 
Since then they have been doing a large and profitable business. They 
carry a complete and well assorted stock of goods, and are one of the 
live business firms of this place. The senior member of this firm, Mr. 



572 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

James, is a native of New York, and was born June 30, 1853. At the 
age of three years, he was taken by his family to Aurora, Illinois, where 
they resided one year. They then removed to Champaign, Illinois, 
and after remaining one year, located in Quincy, Illinois. In August, 
1877, Mr. James emigrated to Missouri, and settled in Clearmont, where 
he was engaged in teaching the school of that place. In 1879, ne was 
offered the position of agent of the C. B. & Q. R. R., which he accepted 
and has since held, he being the first and only agent which the com- 
pany has had at this point. He is by profession a dentist, and does 
some work in that line. Mr. James was married October 28, 1877, to 
Miss Nora M. Wilkin, an estimable lady, a native of Ohio. The junior 
member of the firm, William P. Wilkin, is a native of Ohio, and was 
born March 21, 1860. At the age of seven years, he removed to Hanni- 
bal, Missouri, residing there ten years. From that point he returned to 
his native state, remaining two years, after which time he emigrated to 
this state, and settled in Clearmont, engaging in his present business. 
He is a young man of good address, and a favorite with all who know 

him. 

E. W. JOHNSON, 

section 35, post office Hopkins. Among the foremost of the oldest 
pioneers of this county, and men who have been identified with the agri- 
cultural interests of the same from its infancy, may be mentioned the 
subject of this sketch. He is a native of Indiana, and was born near 
Connorsville, March 28, 1808. At an early age he removed to Lawrence 
County. David Johson, his father, was an old settler in that count}-, and 
was closely linked with its interests for a great many years, he being the 
first blacksmith in that district. In 1841, Ephraim immigrated to Mis- 
souri, and in March, 1842, he settled where he now resides. On landing 
at his destination his finances consisted of seventy-five cents, and his 
provisions of five pounds of pork and half a bushel of corn meal. Thus, 
with a large family to support, he commenced his first winter in Missouri. 
( )f the privations endured by them for the first few years we mention in 
another part of this work. He now has a good farm of 160 acres, 120 of 
which are under cultivation. Mr. J. was united in marriage in 1830, to 
Miss Margaret Allen, a native of Lincoln County, North Carolina. Her 
father, Jehu Allen, was an early settler of that county. They have had 
a family of eleven children, nine of whom are now living : Levi R., 
Joseph A., Mary E., Jehu A., Nancy C. (deceased), Sarah E., John R., 
Eli B., Rebecca (deceased), Margaret E., Malinda E. (deceased). They 
are, and have been members of the M. E. Church for forty-nine years. 

LEVI R. JOHNSON, 

section 2, post office Hopkins, the eldest son of E. W. Johnson, is a 
native of Lawrence County, Indiana, and was born October 14, 1831. 





E.B. Stephenson 

(deceased) 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 573 

He was there reared till ten years of age, when, with the family, he 
migrated to Missouri, and settled. He has since resided here, following 
the occupation of his father, that of farming. In 1855, he located where 
he now resides. He has 134. acres of land, that will average with any 
in the county, ninety-four acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. J. 
was married February 19, 1852, to Miss Mar)- J. Minard, a native of Park 
County, Indiana. They have nine children living: Margaret E., Eliza- 
beth A., Lorinda C, Mary E., Martha C, Schuyler C, Cora A., Ephraim 
M. and George W. Mr. J. is a member of the M. E Church, and has 
been justice of the peace of his township for the past twenty years. 
He is also a notary public. 

JOSEPH A. JOHNSON, 

section 35. The second son of this illustrious family is a native of Law- 
rence County, Indiana, and was born March 27, 1833. At the age of 
eight years the family came to this county, where he was raised to man- 
hood and educated. He has always followed his present occupation. In 
1855 he- settled where he now resides. He has a fine farm of 480 acres, 
which is well improved, 400 acres being under cultivation. He has a 
nice residence on his place, and is one of our most successful and pro- 
gressive farmers. Mr. J. was united in marriage, May 20, 1855, to Miss 
Jane O. Knox, a native of Pettis County, Missouri. He is a member of 
Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., of Hopkins. He has been school 
director of his district and also road commissioner of his township. 

JEHU A. JOHNSON, 

section 13, post office Clearmont. The fourth child of E. W. and M. A. 
Johnson, is, like the older children, a native of Lawrence County, Indiana, 
where he was born June 24, 1835. At the age of six years the family 
came to Missouri, where he was educated, being raised in the occupa- 
tion of farmer. In 1857 he settled on the place where he now resides. 
He at that time owned only forty acres, that not being all paid for, and 
to start housekeeping he went in debt. He now has 320 acres of good 
land, making one of the finest farms in the county, and has on his place 
one of the best residences in the county. All of his improvements are 
of the first order. Mr. J. was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth H. 
Smith November 13, 1856. She is a native of Tennessee. They have 
from this union six children : James L., Felix G., Margaret E., 
Samuel W., Arda J. B., Susan G. Mr. Johnson has been school director 
of his district. In 1862 he enlisted in the State Militia. He and his 
wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is a member o( Xenia Lodge 
No. 50, A. F. and A. M., of Hopkins. 



574 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN R. JOHNSON, 

section 35, post office Hopkins, is a native of Lawrence County, Indiana, 
and was born June 2, 1841. While an infant, lie was brought by the 
family to Missouri, and has since resided in this county on the section 
where he now resides. He is at present engaged in working a 
part of his father's place. Mr. J. was married April 16, 1865, to Miss 
Mary J. Bird, a native of North Carolina They have from this union 
five children : Charles E., Eva A., Sarah, Ephraim H., and Donlin W. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. 

ELI B. JOHNSON, 

section 35, post office Hopkins, is a native of Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri,, and was among the first white children born in the county. The 
date of his birth was April 27, [843. He has here been raised to man- 
hood, and has always followed his present occupation. He is now cul- 
tivating a part of the home place. He was united in marriage August 
6, 1866, to Miss Harriet A. Tabor, a native of New York. They have 
had three children, two of whom are now living : Laura A., Joseph R. 
(deceased), and Margaret M. O. During our late war Mr. J. enlisted in 
July, 1862, in Company M, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and served two 
years and eight months. He has, in sections 1 and 2, fifty acres of 
good, average land, which is under cultivation. Few and far between 
are the families of old settlers who can boast of so many sons and 
daughters who have grown up and settled so close to the parental home- 
stead as E. W. and M. A. Johnson. The experience of this family goes 
a great way toward favoring that old proverb, that " In unity there is 
strength." 

JONES & HOTALING, 

dealers in lumber, lime and all kinds of building material ; also agents for 
the Studebaker wagon and mineral paints. The business now under 
charge of the above named firm was organized by Craig & Smith in 
1879, and m i88i,they were succeeded by Messrs. Jones & Hotaling. 
They have a large and complete stock in their line, and do a business 
second to none in the county. The manager of the business, James 
Jones, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Ross County, in 1836. He 
was there reared to manhood and educated, spending his youthful days 
in agricultural pursuits. In i862 2 he enlisted in Company D, Eighty- 
ninth Ohio Regiment of Infantry, of Sherman's command, and was with 
him in his march to the sea. He served till the close of the war, in 1865, 
when he immigrated to Missouri. He settled in this county, giving his 
attention to farming, and from here he removed to Jackson Count}', Mis- 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 575 

souri, where, after a residence there of ten years, he again returned to 
this county. In 1881, he became associated with Mr. Hotaling in the 
present business. He has a splendid farm in Jackson County of 180 acres 
of land, that will compare favorably with any in that county, most of 
which is under cultivation. He also owns a nice residence in Burlington 
Junction, besides other property. Mr. Jones was united in marriage to 
Miss Nanna A. Walker, an estimable lady, November 19, 1865. They 
had one child. He is a Good Templar, and a member of Burlington 
Lodge. 

JOHN M. LAMAR, 

section 26, post office Clearmont. Prominent among the successful and 
progressive farmers and stock raisers of this district stands the subject 
of this sketch. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Ander- 
son County February 22, 1832. At the age of nineteen he emigrated to 
Missouri and settled in this county, and in 1876 he located his home 
where he now resides. His farm contains 325 acres of choice land that 
compares with any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. 
He and his son are leading merchants of Elmo, doing a large and pros- 
perous business. Mr. L. was married March 2, 1853, to Miss Mary P. 
Russell, a most estimable lady and a native of Virginia. Three children 
have been born to them — Charles R., Henrietta and William A. Mr. 
Lamar is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the 
M. E. Church South. He is school director during this year. During 
the war he enlisted in the state militia. 

JACOB LINEBAUGH, 

section 18, post office Clearmont, is one of the representative farmers 
and stock raisers of this district, and has been closely identified with 
the raising of stock. He is a native of Greene County, Tennessee, and 
was born in 1828. At the age of five years he with the family emigrated 
to Fountain County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood, follow- 
ing his present occupation. At the age of twenty-one he removed to 
Page County, Iowa, where he resided till 1869, when he came to this 
county and settled where he now resides. He has 1,200 acres of land in 
a body, 500 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. L. was married 
January 6, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Gray. They have from this union six 
children : Sarah J., Francis M., William J., Julia A., Martha E. and 
Mary E. Mr. L. is a member of the M. E. Church. John, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was an old pioneer of Fountain Count}-, Indi- 
ana, and was closely identified with the agricultural interests of the same 
until his death, which occurred in i860. 



576 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

FRANCIS M. LINEBAUGH, 

section 17, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Page County, Iowa, and was born in 1857. He was there raised, till 
fourteen years of age, when he came, with his father's family, to this 
state, and settled near where he now resides. He has 120 acres of land, 
that will compare with any in this vicinity, all of which is under culti- 
vation. Mr. Linebaugh was married, September 15, 1878, to Miss Eliz- 
abeth J. McGenty, an estimable lady. They have one child., Annie R. 

JOHN W. LYTLE, 

section 36, post office Hopkins, a successful and prominent farmer and 
stock raiser of this vicinity, is a native of Allegheny County; Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born October 20, 1817. He was there reared in the 
occupation of farming, and received his education in the schools of that 
vicinity, and, in 1846, he immigrated to Delaware County, Ohio, where 
he resided four and a half years. After that time, he returned to Penn- 
sylvania, where he remained till 1864, when, thinking that his children 
would have a better chance to make for themselves homes in a new 
country, he came westward, and settled in this county. He now has a 
fine farm of 240 acres, well improved, 175 acres of which are highly 
cultivated. Mr. Lytle was married August 12, 1842, to Miss Hannah 
Hippie, a native of Pennsylvania. They have six children : George H., 
Lydia E., Louisa A., Hiram W., Ella and Frank. They are members of 
the M. E. Church. Mr. L. has been class leader in that denomination 
for a number of years. He is the present superintendent of the Plum 
Grove Sunday School. He also holds a life membership in the Metho- 
dist Missionary Society. 

NATHAN A. J. MARTIN, 

section 33, post office Braddyville. The subject of this biography was 
born in Ohio, May 20, 1847. He remained there till ten years of age, 
when with the family he emigrated to Warren County, Illinois, and after 
a long residence there he removed to this state and settled on his present 
place. In 1878 he removed to Kansas, where he remained six months, 
after which time he returned to this county. He has ninety-five acres 
of land that will bear comparison with any in the county, eighty of which 
are under cultivation. Mr. Martin was married in 1877 to Miss Clara B. 
Williamson. They have two children: Catharine M. and Clara M. 

JOSEPH MILLER, 

section 16, post office Clearmont, is an old resident and a leading agri- 
culturist of this county, and is a native of Monroe County, Virginia, 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 577 

where he was born June 21, 1822. At the age of three years the family- 
emigrated to Decatur County, Indiana, where he was raised to manhood 
as a farmer, and received his education. When twenty-one years of age 
he emigrated to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he resided six months, 
and from there he came to Missouri and settled in this county, where he 
has since resided. He has 320 acres of choice land, 180 of which are 
under cultivation. He has upon his place a splendid residence, and his 
improvements generally are of the best. Mr. Miller has been twice mar- 
ried. First, April 29, 1847, to Miss Sarah Brownfield. They had from 
this union three children : Charles W., Ephraim P., and Sarah E. Mrs. 
Miller's death occurred March 16, 1855. Mr. M. was again married Feb- 
ruary 22, 1857, to Miss Sarah E. Ricketts, an estimable lady. Their 
family consists of James O., Albert J., Marion, George W., Laura E., 
Clara A., Celia A., and Eva L., and an adopted daughter, Sarah E. They 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. M. is supervisor of this township 
and also school director of the district. 

A. C. MILLER, 

section 12, post office Hopkins, is a successful and cultured farmer of this 
county, and was born in Hancock County, Indiana, February 3, 1824. 
He was there reared to manhood, and received the advantages of a good 
education. He has always been engaged in the occupation he now so 
-successfully follows, and, in 1845, he immigrated west, and settled in 
Andrew County, Missouri, where he resided till 1868, when he removed 
to this county, locating where he now resides. He has a fine farm of 
250 acres, which is second to none in the county, 150 acres of which are 
under cultivation. He has one of the finest residences in the county, 
situated on a splendid site, and shows good judgment in its arrange- 
ments throughout. His improvements on his place are very much above 
the average. Mr. Miller was married February 8, 1847, to Miss Charlotte 
Tyna, an estimable lady, a native of Indiana. They have had a" family 
consisting of: Mary A., Joseph A., Susanna, Karnes, Isabelle, Henry M., 
Floda, Tyna and Elbert. Mr. M. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, 
A. F. and A. M. of Hopkins. He is school director of his district. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. 

E. T. MILLER, 

dealer in harness and saddles, Clearmont. This business was started by 
Mr. Miller in August, 1880, and since that time he has had a large 
share of patronage. He is a native of Davis County, Iowa, and was born 
March 28, 185 1. He was there raised till he attained his fourteenth year, 
when he came with his family to this state and county, following the 



578 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

occupation of farming till he embarked in his present business. He has 
a good farm of eighty acres of choice land, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Miller was married April 22, 1876, to Miss Mary K. Ingles, an 
estimable lady. They have one child : Artie J. Mr. M. was road over- 
seer of his township one term. Mrs. Miller, in connection with Mrs. 
Phillips, is in the millinery and dress making business in Clearmont. 
They are doing a satisfactory trade. 

JOSEPH A. MILLER, 

section n, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Andrew County, Missouri, and was there born December 25, 1852. He 
was raised in that county till sixteen years of age, when, with the 
family, he came to this county and settled near where he now resides. 
He was brought up in the occupation he now follows, and is the owner of 
105 acres of land in section 13, besides renting and working 100 acres 
where he now resides. Mr. Miller was married November 10, 1880, to 
Miss Ella Lytle, a native of Ohio. 

JAMES E. ORME, 

section 4, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and was born March 3, 1858. He received 
an education from the schools in this district, and was raised in the occu- 
pation he now follows. He has, where he now resides, eighty acres of 
land that will compare with any in the county, most of which is under 
cultivation. Mr. Orme was united in marriage March 14, 1878, to Miss 
Adaline Burch, an estimable lady. They have one child : Elmer E- 
Mr. Orme is school director of his district. 

H. F. PHILLIPS, 

druggist and agent of the Wilson sewing machines. This gentleman 
founded his present business in Clearmont in 1881, and has a large stock 
of drugs and does a good business in that line, as well as in the sale of 
the Wilson sewing machines. He is a native of Iowa, and was born in 
1846. He was there raised to manhood and educated, spending his 
youthful days in agricultural pursuits. At the age of nineteen, he com- 
menced in the business he now follows, and in 1871, he commenced for 
himself in Buchanan County, Iowa, remaining there three years. From 
that locality he removed to Braddyville, Iowa, and continued the same 
business for one year, when he removed to Elmo, Missouri. One year 
later he came to Clearmont. Mr. P. was united in marriage in 1874 to 
Miss Sarah Bebout, an estimable lady. They have two children : Carl 
W., and Dale. During the war, Mr. Phillips enlisted in Company G, 

J 



ATCHSION TOWNSHIP. 579 

Third Iowa Cavalry in 1863, and served till the close of the war in 1865. 
He participated in the battles of Atlanta (Georgia), Ocelona (Missis- 
sippi), and others. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Phil- 
lips, with Mrs. Miller, is in the millinery and dress making business, who 
are having a large and successful trade, which they well merit. 

NATHAN S. PRICKETT, 

section 33, post office Braddyville. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Indiana, and was born August 25, 1849. At the age of six years he, 
with the family, removed to Missouri and settled in this county, where 
they resided four years. They then took up their location in Holmes 
County, Iowa, remaining for three years, after which time Nathan took a 
trip to Colorado. After staying for five months, he returned to Iowa 
and settled in Page County, and two years later he emigrated to Texas. 
The climate not agreeing with him, he returned to Page County, Iowa, 
after a period of five months. There he continued to live two years, and 
from there he came to this county, and settled where he now resides. 
He has forty acres of good, average land, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. P. was married March 30, 1872, to Miss Madora Davidson. 
They have three children : Charles E., Nora PI, and John J. Mr. Prickett 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has held the office of road overseer 
for one term. 

WILLIAM H. RICHARDS, 

is one who has done much toward promoting the agricultural interests 
of this county. He is a native of Miami County, Indiana, and was born 
August 17, 1842. There he resided till twelve years of age, when he 
immigrated to Mills County, Iowa, where he made his home till 1865, 
removing to Holt County, Iowa. After remaining there till 1868, he 
removed to this state and county and settled where he now resides. He 
has 120 acress of land that is above the average in this district, 100 acres 
of which are under cultivation. Mr. Richards was married January 31, 
1863, to Miss Mary J. Hiles, an estimable lady, a native of Ohio. They 
have three children : PMward G. ( Eva and Henry. Mr. R. has been 
school director of his district for several terms. 

CHRISTOPHER C. RIFFE, 

section 7, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Carroll County, Missouri, October 10, 1845. He was there raised until 
the age of eight years, when he accompanied his parents to Harrison 
County, remaining in that locality twelve years. From there he removed 
to this county, and settled where he now resides. He has 160 acres of 



580 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

land that will average with an}' in the count}', all of which is under cul- 
tivation. Mr. Riffe was united in marriage in 1872, to Mrs. Rosa A. 
McGinty. They have one child : Jane. Mrs. Riffe has previously been 
twice married. By her first marriage she has two children : Francis 
Davis and Samuel Davis. By her second marriage there are three chil- 
dren : Isaac N., Mary E., and Jane McGinty. During the late war Mr. 
Riffe enlisted in Company E, Forty-third Missouri Infantry, and served 
one year. He was taken prisoner at Glasgow, Missouri, and was given 
his liberty after a confinement of one month. 

THOMAS J. ROGERS, 

dealer in general merchandise, Clearmont. The business now conducted 
by Mr. Rogers was established in 1880. He has a complete and well 
assorted stock of goods, and is doing a large business. He is a native 
of Tennessee, and was born in Campbell County, January 28, 1838. He 
was there raised to manhood and educated^ spending his boyhood days 
on a farm. He there remained till the breaking out of the war in 1861, 
when he enlisted in Company B, First Tennessee Infantry. After serv- 
ing for five and a-half years, he returned home, where he remained till 
1868, when he emigrated to Missouri, and settled near the old town. He 
was engaged in farming till 1873, when he began mercantile pursuits, 
forming a partnership with J. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & 
Rogers. After a prosperous business connection of two years, Mr. Smith 
disposed of his share, the firm becoming Rogers & Cissna. The}- con- 
tinued the business for eight months, when Mr. Rogers retired in 1875. 
He returned to agricultural pursuits, and in 1880 he again embarked in 
trade, under the firm name of Rogers, Gray & Co.; and after doing busi- 
ness one year, Gray & Co. sold out to Mr. Rogers, he continuing the 
business. Mr. R. has been twice married — first to Miss Fannie Wise, in 
1870. They had two children : Thomas J. and Hannah L., living. Mrs. 
R.'s death occurred July 10, 1879. Mr. R. was again united in marriage, 
December 13, 1880, to Miss Louisa J. Wallace. He has been justice of 
the peace of this township four years, and is school director of his district. 

SCOTT & SMITH, 

dealers in furniture and coffins. Among the later additions to Clear- 
mont, in the way of firms, may be mentioned these gentlemen. The}' 
commenced business in the year [881, and now have a large and com- 
plete stock of goods in their line. They are doing a successful and 
increasing business, and make ,1 specialty of scroll sawing. The senior 
member of this firm, Mr. A. M. Scott, is a native of Richmond, Ross 
County, Ohio, and was born December 23, [838. He was there princi- 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 58 1 

pally raised, following from an early day the trade of carpenter. Octo- 
ber 1, 1865, he emigrated to this county and engaged in contracting and 
building, and was the architect as well as builder of most of the buildings 
of this place. In 1875 he engaged in farming, and after one year he 
again resumec 1 his former business of carpentering. In 1880 he became 
a partner in the general store then known as Rogers, Gray & Co., but 
subsequently disposed of his interest. After a short time he engaged in 
the present business. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. 
During the war he enlisted and participated in the following battles : 
Fayetteville, Berryville, Fisher's Hill, Lynchburg, and others. Jerome 
T. Smith, of this firm, is a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, and was 
born June 7, i860. He was raised in this county, where he has always 
resided. He followed the occupation of farming from boyhood till he 
became associated with Mr. Scott in the present business. 

JOHN W. SHEARER, 

section 14, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Iowa, and was born September 15, 1850. He there rece'ived a good 
common school education, and was raised to manhood in the occupa- 
tion he now follows. In 1876, he emigrated to Missouri, and settled 
where he now resides. He has eighty acres of land that will average 
with any in the county, sixty-five acres of which are under cultivation. 
Mr. S. was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Mary C. Phipps. They 
have from this union three children : Emma E., Nettie A., and Gecu'ge 
F. Mr. S. was justice of the peace of his township for one term. 

JOHN SHERBON, 

secton 7, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch was born in 
Ohio, in 1836, and, when at the age of two years, with the family, he 
immigrated to Wisconsin, where he was raised to manhood, following 
the occupation of farming. In 1871, he removed to this state, and set- 
tled where he now resides. He has 360 acres of land, among the most 
choice of any in the county, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. S. 
has been twice married. First, in 1856, to Miss Maria Hatfield. There 
are two children by this union, John W. and George W. Mrs. Sherbon's 
death occurred October 21, 1866. Mr. S. was again married, in 1868, to 
Miss Sarah Graves. They have four children : Lillie M., Frank H., 
Dennis A. and Jesse. 

JEREMIAH C. SMITH, 

farmer, section 25, post office Clearmont. Prominent among the old 
settlers and leading and successful men of this township is the subject 
of this sketch. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 18 13. He 



582 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was reared to manhood in that state, following the occupation of farm- 
ing. When at the age of twenty-three years, he emigrated to Boone 
County, Missouri, and settled in Nashville, where he was engaged in the 
mercantile business till 1848. In 1849, ne was occupied in steamboat- 
ing on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and in 185 1 he again com- 
menced mercantile pursuits, this time in Claysville. After a successful 
business career of five years he removed to this county, and in 1866 
settled where he now resides. He has in this county 1,270 acres of land, 
400 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. S. was united in marriage 
January 22, 1856, to Miss Nancy S. Jones. They have from this union 
three children : Jeremiah M., William F., and Jerome T. Mr. Smith is 
one of the oldest and best known Masons of this county. He is a 
member of the Baptist Church, and has held the office of collector of 
the township. 

JEREMIAH M. SMITH, 

section 12, post office Clearmont. This gentlemairwas born in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, November 21, 1856, and was raised in the occupation 
which he now follows. He received the advantages of the schools of this 
district, and in 1880, he moved on the place where he now resides. He 
has a splendid farm of a 160 acres, much of which is under cultivation. 
Mr. Smith was united in marriage February 1, 1880, to Miss Mary E. 
Nevels, a most agreeable lady. She is a native of Sangamon County, 
Illinois. They have had one child, now deceased. Mrs. Smith is a mem- 
ber.of the M. E. Church of Clearmont. 

E. C. SNODGRASS, 

section 19, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and was born in 1851. When one year old 
his family emigrated to Page County, Iowa, where he was raised toman- 
hood. In 1873, he visited Utah Territory, where he remained one year, 
and from thence he returned to Iowa, where he resided till 1877. At 
that time he came to this county,, where he has since resided. He has 
eighty acres of land in this county. Mr. Snodgrass was married in 1874, 
to Miss Sarah J. Miller, a daughter of A. C. Miller. They have two 
children : Zella and Katie. 

LEMUEL S. STRICKLAND, 

section 3, post office Clearmont. L. S. Strickland is a native of Ohio, 
and was born in Lake County, June 30, 1832. At the age of fifteen 
y ars he with his family emigrated to Cass County, Michigan. There he 
resided till in 1855, when he came westward and settled in this county. 
In [867 he located on the farm where he now resides. He has eighty- 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 583 

five acres of land that will compare with any in the county, sixty acres 
of which are under fine cultivation. Mr. Strickland was married Decem- 
ber 19, 1857 to Martha N. Gray, a native of Tennessee. From this 
marriage three children are living : Althia L., Ira E. and James M. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. S. has been school direc- 
tor of this district for a number of years. During the late war he was a 
brave and gallant soldier. Alfred and Martha Gray, father and mother 
of Mrs. Strickland, are among the oldest settlers in this district. They 
settled in 1.840 in- what is now called Gray's Grove. 

FRANCIS D. STURTEVANT, 

r 

proprietor of the Wabash House. The genial host of the Wabash House, 
Mr. Sturtevant, is a native of New York, and was born in 1837. He was 
there reared to manhood, and received his education from the schools of 
that district, learning while young the trade of painting, which he still 
follows. At thirty years of age he came west and settled in Maysville, 
DeKalb County, Missouri, where he resided three years, and from there 
he removed to Maryville, Nodaway County. Here he made his home for 
seven years, and after that time settled in Clearmont, where he has 
since resided. Mr. S. was married in 1863, to Miss Jennie Lee, a native 
of New York city. They have two children : Glenna M. and Maria N. 
During the late war Mr. Sturtevant enlisted in Company B, Second New 
York Infantry, remaining with that company for eight months. He was 
then changed to Company K, Thirty-ninth New York Volunteers, and 
served one year, having participated in many serious engagements — first 
the battle of Bull Run, Chickarnauga, seven days fight, South Side Rail- 
road, near Richmond, Petersburg and others of lesser note. He and his 
wife are members of the Baptist Church and are liberal contributors 
thereto. 

E. TAYLOR, 

farmer, section 31, post office Hopkins, is a native of Baltimore Count)', 
Maryland, and was born April 19, 1821. He was reared on a farm in 
this and Frederick Counties, until eighteen years of age, and, in 1838, 
he removed to Ohio, settling in Clark County. He Avas married in 1849, 
to Miss Margaret O'Brien, a native of New Jersey. In 1855, he immi- 
grated to Grant County, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1876, when 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. His farm contains 136 acres of 
land. Mr. Taylor has made farming and teaching his life work. His 
family consists of five children : John W., Benjamin F., Lewis E., Joseph 
G. and S. Douglas. Two are deceased, Mary and Emma F. 



584 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

WILLIAM W. TAYLOR, 

blacksmith and wagonmaker. In 1876, this gentleman engaged in his 
present business in Clearmont. Having the principal shop in town, he 
does a thriving business. He is a native of Ohio, and was born Novem- 
ber 17, 1836. He was raised to manhood in his native state, and at an 
early age learned the trade of blacksmithing. In 185 1, he removed to 
Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at his trade till 1853, then going to 
Waterford, Pennsylvania. After one year he was in the employ of the 
Ohio Stage Company, working along their line. Upon leaving, he 
emigrated to Brooks County, Iowa, where he resided nine years, and 
from there went to Bedford, of the same state, being located there for 
two years. His next move was to St. Joseph, Missouri, and there he 
was engaged as a government blacksmith for four years, working 
between there and Clearmont, till he settled in his present location. 
Mr. Taylor was married in 1862, to Miss Josephine Peltier, the first white 
child born in St. Joseph. They have three children : Adelia M., Walter, 
and Alma. During the war, Mr. T. enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fifth 
Missouri Regiment. In the engagement at Lexington, Missouri, he was 
taken prisoner and held in confinement for eight months. He is a mem- 
ber of the Good Templars. 

JOHN B. WALLACE, 

section 25, post office Clearmont. Among the old settlers and promi- 
nent farmers of Nodaway County, may be mentioned the subject of this 
sketch. He was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, June 22, 182 1, 
and was there raised to manhood, following the occupation of farming. 
In i860, he immigrated to Missouri, and settled where he now resides. 
He has 300 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the 
county, 170 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Wallace was mar- 
ried in 1844, to Miss Louisa Weaver, also a native of Tennessee. They 
have six children : Elizabeth J., Cynthia A., Mitty PI, William S., Louisa 
and Thomas J. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

REV. AARON M. WALLACE, 

Clearmont, another old settler and prominent minister of this district is 
a native of Tennessee, and was born in Anderson Count}- February 12, 
[828. He was there raised, and received his education in the schools of 
that vicinity. In 1849 he emigrated to Missouri and settled in this 
county, where he resided till 185 1, when he returned to his native state, 
remaining till 1S56. At that time he again came to Missouri and settled 
in Morgan Count}-, where he resided one year. From there he returned 
to this count}-, where he has since resided. He has a very large circuit 



ATCHISON TOWNSHIP. 585 

under his charge, and is pastor of the following churches : Clearmont 
Baptist, Bethel Church of Dawsonville, Baptist Church of Hopkins, and 
also the Missionary Church. He has been a faithful expounder of the 
Baptist faith in this district for twenty-five years. Mr. Wallace was 
married January 20, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Curnutt. They have four 
children living: Cynthia, William A., Lulelia E., and Kisiar. Mr. W. 
has a farm of 146 acres in Lincoln Township, situated in sections 23 and 
14, and has a splendid residence where he resides in Clearmont. 

GEORGE W. WILLIAMSON, 

section 16, post office Clearmont. The subject of the following sketch 
is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1846. At the age of nine 
years, he was taken by the family to Warren County, Illinois, where he 
was reared to manhood and received his education, following the occu- 
pation of farming. After a residence there of sixteen years, he immi- 
grated to Page County, Iowa, there remaining four years, after which 
time he removed to this state and county, and, in 1881, he located on 
his present place. He has 240 acres of splendid land, 180 acres of which 
are under cultivation. He has on his place a nice residence,*and his 
improvements stamp him a progressive and successful farmer. Mr. 
Williams was married, in 1872, to Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of Joseph 
Miller, an old and prominent citizen of this county. 

THOMAS P. WILSON, 

section 30, post office Clearmont. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Champaign County, Ohio, where he was born January 27, 1836. He 
was there educated, and in 1865, he emigrated west and settled in this 
county. In 1869, he located where he now resides, having 125 acres of 
as fine land as there is in the county, part of which is under cultivation. 
Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Mary C. Goslee, a native of Ohio, Sep- 
tember 13, 1857. By this happy union there is one child : Florence. 
They are. members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Wilson has been clerk of 
this township, road master and school director for many years. During 
the war he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio 
Volunteers, and was honorably discharged in 1867. He was in many of 
the hardest battles of the war, among the most prominent of which was 
the battle of Pittsburg Landing. 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 



H. M. AUSTIN, 



confectioner, restauranteur and proprietor of bakery and boarding house, 
was born in Orleans County, New York, August 2, 1839. His boyhood 
days were spent on a farm and attending school. When twelve years of 
age he accompanied his parents to Effingham County, Illinois, where he 
remained for one year, then going to Vandalia, Illinois. His next move 
was to Fulton, Illinois, where he commenced railroading, and five months 
later located at Rock Island. After being employed a few months in a 
bakery, he took up his residence in Davenport, and soon after engaged 
in railroading with the C, R. I. & P. R. R., running for one year between 
Davenport and Chicago. Upon returning home, he attended school for 
some time. In 1859 he returned to Davenport and resumed his former 
position with the C, R. I. & P. R. R. Co., with whom he remained until 
the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as a private in April, 1861, 
in Company C, Second Iowa Infantry, on the first three years call. He 
served until February 25, 1866, passing through the various grades of 
promotion until he became captain. He participated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and siege of Corinth, in which vicin- 
ity he remained until the battle of Corinth. He was with General Sturgis 
on his expedition to Guntown, his command consisting of colored 
troops. A company of Indians covered the retreat, and saved the center 
column from being annihilated. At the close of the war Mr. A. went to 
St. Louis, thence to Mound City, Illinois, and from there to Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin, where he engaged in a street car enterprise. Remained 
there four years. He then came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and entered 
the employ of a street car company, with whom he remained for two 
years, when he accepted a position with the K. C, St. J. & C. B. R. R. 
Co. He also worked for some time on the North Missouri Railroad. 
Mr. Austin came to Hopkins in February, 1872, and soon was holding 
the position of steward of the Hopkins House. In March, 1873, he 
became engaged with the railroad company as check clerk, which posi- 
tion he is still filling. On the 29th of September, 1881, he purchased the 
stock and fixtures of his present restaurant and boarding house, and is 
now doing a flourishing business. He is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 
50, A. F. and A. M., in which lodge he holds the position of secretary. 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 587 

He also belongs to Lodge No. 333, I. O. O. F., of Hopkins, and in this 
order has held all the offices within the gift of the lodge. He is a mem- 
ber of the Good Templars Lodge of Hopkins, and holds the position of 
lodge deputy. Captain Austin was married March 25, 1864, to Miss 
Lytha Brickell, who was born in Michigan, January 9, 1844. She was 
principally raised in Milwaukee. They have two children: Annie and 
Abbie. Mr. A. is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. 

DAVID BENDER, 

of the firm of Sutherland & Co., proprietors of the Hopkins House, 
was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 17, 18 16. He was 
reared at his birthplace, receiving a common school education, and when 
fifteen years of age he commenced to learn the cabinetmaking trade, 
serving a six years' apprenticeship, after which he followed the trade for 
ten years. He then moved to McLean County, Illinois, and settled on a 
farm. This he afterwards traded for town property in Bloomington, 
where he resided nine years, most of the time being engaged in the 
hotel business. In February, i860, his hotel burned, and he lost all he 
possessed, after which he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and then to 
Parkville, Missouri, coming to Hopkins in February, 1871. He soon 
built the Hopkins House, one of the first in town, and opened it to the 
public on the 1st of March, although the first meal was given in a barn. 
Since that time Mr. B. has been prominent in this place and stand 
among the pioneers. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He was raised 
in the German Reformed Church. Mr. B. was married January 7, 1840, 
to Miss Sarah Slanker, a worthy lady. She was born January 24, 18 17, in 
Hagerstown, Maryland. They have two children living : A. S., and 
Allula (now Mrs. W. H. Sutherland). Mrs. B. is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

F, M. BURCH, 

stock dealer and shipper, is one of the most prominent of the enterpris- 
ing pioneer business men of Hopkins. He was born in Monroe County, 
Indiana, September 17, 1845, and was there reared, spending his boy- 
hood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of an education in the 
schools of the neighborhood. He immigrated westward in 1866, arriv- 
ing in Nodaway County, Missouri, on the 20th of June ot that year, and 
soon turned his attention to farming and teaching. In the spring of 
1868 he purchased a stock of general merchandise at Braddyville, Page 
County, Iowa, and for two years followed the mercantile business, after 
which he engaged in the stock business at that place. Mr. B. came 
from there to Hopkins in 1870, the town then being in its infancy, and 
commenced the stock business on a largfe scale. During the first few 



588 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

years he shipped nearly all of the stock from this point, and during the 
winter of 1874 he shipped over eight thousand hogs, besides about seven 
hundred head of cattle. In 1873 he purchased a farm and commenced 
the feeding of cattle in connection with the shipping. This proving a 
profitable investment he afterwards purchased two more farms and car- 
ried on a more extensive business. Since 1877 he has not been as 
actively engaged in this business, on account of failing health, but has 
given his attention more to dealing in stock. Mr. B. has always devoted 
his attention closely to his business, and by strict honesty in his dealings 
has won the respect and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. He 
has taken an active part and done much towards furthering the interests 
of the community. During the panic of 1876, when most of the stock 
men of the west were financially depressed, Mr. Burch also lost heavily. 
He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1867, and now 
holds his membership in Plum Lodge No. 285 A. F. and A. M. He is 
also an active temperance worker, and has been a charter member of 
the Good Templars lodge of Hopkins since 1872. 

. J. A. BLAIR, 

of the firm of House & Blair, proprietors of livery and feed stables, was 
born March 22, 1844, in Logan County, Ohio, and, while young, was 
taken by his parents to Wapello County, Iowa, where he was reared on 
a farm, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. 
Upon arriving at maturity, he engaged in farming and stock raising, his 
farm being partly in Mahaska and partly in Wapello Counties. This 
he continued until the fall of 1877, when he came to Hopkins, and on 
H:he 16th of October, of that year, in partnership with D. S. House, pur- 
chased the livery stables of Culton and Mayham. Having an excellent 
livery and a commodious feed stable, they are well prepared to accom- 
date the traveling public. Mr. House has charge of the livery depart- 
ment, and Mr. Blair superintends the feed stables. Since 1878, the lat- 
ter has been actively engaged in buying and shipping stock, and, during 
the last year shipped the larger portion of the stock which went from 
this point. During the late war, Mr. B. served as a member of the 
home guards. He has filled the position of town councilman. Com- 
mencing life a poor boy, he owes his success to his industry and integ- 
rity. He has been twice married. First, in January, 1864, to Miss 
Christina Jones, a native of Ohio. She died during the winter of 1869, 
leaving two children, one of whom is now living, Frank. In 1874, he 
married for his second wife Miss Sally House. She was a native of 
Kentucky, although principally raised in Iowa. 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 589 

D. D. BOLLINGER, 

farmer and stock raiser, post office Hopkins. Prominent among the 
progressive and successful farmers of this district the subject of this 
sketch deserves more than a passing notice. He is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born on the 6th of November, 1832. He was there raised 
and received his education, and at the age of twenty-four years he emi- 
grated to Warren County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming and 
stock raising till 1875, when he removed to this state. He then settled 
where he now resides, and is the owner of 202 acres of land that will 
compare favorably with any in the county. All of it is devoted to farm- 
ing and stock raising. Mr. B. was married in i860, to Miss Emeline J. 
Hofiens. They have from this marriage four children : Rosa M., Carrie 
M., Charlie C, Minnie O. Mr. Bollinger was road supervisor for a term 
of one year. He is an importer of blooded stock, and has done much 
toward raising the grade of stock generally in this county. He and his 
wife are members of the M. E. Church and liberal contributors to the 
same. 

F. A. BUCK, 

photographer, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, August 28, 1843, and 
is a descendant of the old Puritan stock. His parents moved to Lake 
County, Indiana, while he was quite young, remaining there for five 
years, when they located in LaSalle County, Illinois. There they made 
their home for ten years. F. A. Buck received good educational advan- 
tages in his youth. His father being a carpenter he was brought up to 
learn that trade. He also familiarized himself with the photographer's 
business. Emigrating to Kansas in i860, in 1861, he enlisted with the 
three months troops, at Fort Leavenworth. After serving out his time, 
he emigrated to Iowa in the fall of 1861, and settled at Winterset. In 
1862, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and 
remained three years and ten days, taking part in the following battles : 
Helena, Little Rock, Terrenoir, Elkin's Ford, Prairie de Ann and Jen- 
kins Ferry, and serving as a musician. At the close of the war, Mr. 1!. 
settled in Chicago, where he remained one year, and then moved to 
Kansas City, at which place he resided for six months. Moving to Har- 
risonville, Cass County, Missouri, he accepted a position as principal of 
the Harrisonville schools, continuing for about four years, when he moved 
to Spring Hill, Johnson County, Kansas, and was engaged for two years 
in the furniture business. He came to Hopkins in December, 1873, here 
opening a photograph gallery, which he has since continued to carry on. 
He has one of the finest galleries in Maryville, and as an artist has few 
equals. Mr. B. is a member of the school board of Hopkins, and has 
been a member of the town council. .He was married in 1867, to Miss 



590 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Annie E. Barber, a native of La Salle County, Illinois. She was born 
May 28, 1844. They have had four children, only one of whom is living : 
A. Inez. 

JOHN R. BUCHER, 

proprietor of the Star meat market, an enterprising citizen of this place,. 
was born in Ashland County, Ohio, June 8, 1852. His parents moved 
to Columbus, in the same state, during that same year, where they 
remained for about eleven years, and then located in Iowa in 1861, 
which was their home for ten years. John was raised as a farmer, and 
received the benefits of a common school education. Upon arriving at 
maturity, he commenced business for himself by working out by the 
month. He moved to Mitchell County, Kansas, in 1871, and improved 
a claim, which he sold in 1873, and then came to St. Joseph, Missouri ; 
afterwards moving to Carroll County, he improved a farm, but soon 
sold out and went to Livingston County. After improving and selling 
a farm there, he moved to Maryville, Nodaway County, in the spring of 
1877. He has given his attention principally to agricultural pursuits 
through life, although he has worked for about ten years at the butcher- 
ing business. He opened a shop at Clearmont, Nodaway County, in the 
fall of 1881, and on the 8th of November, 1881, he came to Hopkins 
and also opened a shop here. His long experience in this line has 
given him a thorough knowledge of the business, and has gained for 
him an excellent reputation. Mr. Bucher was married May 13, 1875, to 
Miss Jennie Wrenfrey, a native of Kentucky. They have one child : 
Leroy. 

T. D. BUSH, 

farmer, stock raiser and butcher, was born in Scott County, Iowa, Febru- 
ary 22, 1843, and was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days 
on alarm, receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. 
He commenced to learn the butchers' trade 111 1858, and has followed it 
most of the time through life. In 1862, he emigrated to California, 
going by way of New York City and the Isthmus of Panama, and set- 
tled in Butte County, where he engaged in stock raising, and principally 
in the butchering business. Remaining on the coast until 1874, he came 
across the plains to Missouri, and settled in Hopkins, where he has 
since resided, his time having been spent in his present occupation.. 
Mr. B. owns an improved farm of 120 acres, in section 2 of this town- 
ship, which is well adapted to stock raising. His stock is of a high 
grade. He also has a handsome residence, and a good barn, in Hop- 
kins, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of the place. Mr. 
B. was married January 25, 1877, to Miss Adella House. She was born 
in Michigan, October 8, 1853, but was principally raised in Clayton and 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 59 1 

Linn Counties, Iowa. They have two children, Franklin L. and 
Freddie A. 

JFSSE CAUDLE. 

farmer, section 6, post office Hopkins, is prominent among the old settlers 
of this district. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Fremont 
County, January 31, 1808. He was there raised to manhood and educa- 
ted in the district schools of that day and at the age of thirty years 
he emigrated to Indiana, and after a residence there of six years he 
removed to McLean County, Illinois, where he resided two years, and 
from there he removed to Jones County, Iowa, remaining three years. 
After this time he moved to Clayton County, and after a residence there 
of seven years he emigrated to this state, settling where he now resides. 
He has eighty acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the 
county, most of whieh is under cultivation. Mr. Caudle was married in 
1830 to Miss Olive Morrison. They have had eight children : Gavin, 
John, Alfred, Lotta, Margaret, Hiram, Olive and Susanah. 

PROF. D. L. CHANEY, 

county school commissioner, and principal of Hopkins Public Schools. 
Among the* many worthy representatives of this county may be men- 
tioned the subject of this sketch. He was born in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio, May 31, 1849, and was reared at his birthplace, spending his boy- 
hood days on a farm. After receiving a preparatory education in the 
district schools, he completed his course at the Dennison University of 
Granville, Ohio. He commenced teaching in 1859, an d has followed it 
as an occupation since. Emigrating to Iowa in the fall of 1864, he 
settled at Osceola, Clarke County, and afterwards moved to Bedford, 
Taylor County, Iowa, in the spring of 1865. There he took charge of 
the schools of that place, with one assistant, and in 1875 resigned his 
position as principal, at that time having eight assistants. He held the 
position of assistant county superintendent four years, and in 1871 was 
elected county superintendent, and during the year* 1872 he traveled 
among the schools, this being the only time he was absent from the 
Bedford schools. In 1875 Prof. Chaney moved to Pattawatomie County, 
Iowa, where he resided one year and then returned to Taylor County, 
settling at Lenox in 1876. He had control of the schools of that place 
until his removal to Hopkins in the fall of 1877, when he accepted the 
position of principal of the schools of Hopkins. This office he has 
since continued to fill with great credit to himself and to the entire sat- 
isfaction of the citizens. In April, 1881, he was elected county school 
commissioner of Nodaway County. Prof. C. has given his attention 
entirely to teaching and educational purposes for the past twenty-one 



592 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

years. This has given him a long experience and has made him an 
able and efficient instructor. He commenced life a poor boy, obtained 
his education by his own exertions, and has gained the respect and 
esteem of all those who are favored with his acquaintance. He is a 
member of Taylor Lodge, No. 156. A. F. and A. M.; also, of Lodge No. 
333; I. O. O. F., of Hopkins. In this order he holds the office of Right 
Support. Prof. Chancy was married in May, 1863, to Miss Susan 
Palmer, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. She was born December 
28, 1845. They have been blessed with a family of seven children : Win. 
H., Dolly, Frank A., Samuel, George A., Ells, Blanchie L. 

THOMAS B. COOMER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Morrow County, Ohio, September 23, 1842. He was reared at his birth- 
place, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits 
of a common education. During the late war, in the spring of 1862 he 
enlisted in Company C, Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and went into camp 
at Camp Chase. There the regiment was held as a reserve. Since the 
war Mr. C. has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He immi- 
grated west in the spring of 1869, settling in Nodaway County, in the 
neighborhood in which he now resides, and has been identified with the 
growth and prosperity of this county since. He owns a fine farm of 
forty acres, which is well improved, and upon which is a comfortable res- 
idence and a good orchard. His farm is well watered, giving good 
facilities for stock raising. Mr. C. has filled the office of road overseer 
and school director of his district several times. He was married in 
October, 1867, to Miss Nancy Morehouse, a native of Morrow County, 
Ohio, born August 22, 1846. They have five children : Mary A., Carrie 
A., Eve B., Elmer E. and Vivian. 

SAMUEL D. COX, 

farmer, section 33, p*ost office Hopkins. Among the sons of the old set- 
tlers who have been identified with the agricultural interests of this 
county from boyhood to the present time ma)- be mentioned the subject 
of this sketch. He is a native of Clinton County, Missouri, and was 
born in 1835. At the age of four years he was taken by his parents to 
Andrew County, where he resided till 1854, then removing to this 
count}'. He settled near the place where he now resides, and in 1871 
moved to his present farm. He has followed his present occupation 
through life, and now has 135 acres of good land, eighty acres of which 
are under cultivation. Mr. Cox "lias been twice married ; first, in 1S57, 
to Miss Mary E. Elsey, who died in [861, leaving three children, none of 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 593 

of whom are now living. His second wife was Miss Mary A. Chaness. 
They have had five children, only one of whom is now living, Laura I. 
During the war Mr. Cox enlisted in 1863 in Company C, Eleventh 
Missouri Regiment, Cavalry, and served till August, 1865. He has been 
school director of his district, and is at present one of the trustees of 
Hopkins Township. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity of 
this place. 

DAVID CRINKLAW, 

dealer in agricultural implements, is one of the live business men of 
Hopkins. He was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, October 15, 1828, 
and in 1835, came to this continent with his parents. They settled near 
London, Canada, on a farm in the heavy timber, and there David was 
principally raised, receiving a preparatory education in the common 
schools, and afterwards graduating from the London University. Arriv- 
ing at maturity, he commenced teaching, and in the fall of 1855, he 
immigrated to McHenry County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming 
and fine stock breeding, and he was long known as one of the largest 
stock raisers in that vicinity. Coming to Missouri in the spring of 1875, 
he settled at Hopkins and commenced the agricultural implement busi- 
ness. He now has a commodious building well filled with a complete 
stock in his line, and makes a specialty of C. Aultman & Co.'s steam 
threshers, and is general agent for Northwest Missouri and Southwestern 
Iowa. Mr. C. gives his entire attention to his business, and has a large 
patronage. He is a member of the Good Templars' Lodge of Hopkins. 
His marriage occurred in June, 1850, to Miss Louisa Murry, a native of 
Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She was principally raised in Canada. They 
have had a family of eleven children, ten of whom are living : James, 
Thomas, Margaret, Jennette, Nellie (now Mrs. S. D Frayne, of Hopkins), 
Agnes, David, Georgian, Cora and Belle. Himself and wife are members 
of the Congregational Church. 

JUDGE PHILIP DALE, 

of the firm of Dale & Jeffers, dealers in lumber and all kinds of building 
material, is one of the most enterprising citizens of Hopkins. He was 
born in Crawford County, Ohio, near the county seat, Bucyrus, on the 3d 
of August, 1832, and at the age of eight years he accompanied his parents 
to Iowa, where he remained for thirty-one years, engaged in farming. In 
1870 he removed to California, and after spending about three months in 
the mountains he came to Missouri, settling in Nodaway County, where 
he continued to follow agricultural pursuits for four years. Mr. Dale 
then settled in Hopkins, and in 1875 established his present business. In 
J877 Mr. Jeffers became associated with Mr. Dale, forming the firm of 



594 • BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Dale & Jeffers. This firm is well known, and by principles of strict hon- 
esty in business transactions has gained an enviable reputation. The 
business of Dale & Jeffers at the present time is very large, amounting 
to $30,000 per year. In November, 1880, Mr. D. was the choice of the 
people for the office of county judge, to which position he was elected 
and which he has since continued to fill with credit to all concerned. He 
has ever taken a deep interest in educational matters, and at present fills 
the position of school director of the independent school district of Hop- 
kins. He is a member of Lodge No. 333, 1*0. O. F., of Hopkins, and 
has held all the offices within the gift of the order, and at present fills 
the position of treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, of Hopkins, in which lodge he has held the office of 
master workman for the past two years. Judge Dale is a very active 
worker in the cause of temperance, and is a member of Hopkins Lodge. 
He has always been opposed to the license law, against which he has 
ever voted. During the war he was elected captain of a company of 
Iowa State militia, and was commissioned by Governor Stone. Captain 
Dale was married July 8, 1857, to Miss Margaret A. Church. By this 
union they have four children : Freddie E., Martha E., Sarah J. and 
Frances M. 

HENRY DEMOTT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Preble County, Ohio, December 4, 1836, and remained at his birthplace 
until thirteen years of age, spending his boyhood days^ on a farm, and 
receiving the benefits of a common school education. He accompanied 
his parents to Morgan County, Indiana, in 1849, and made that his home 
until he came west. On the 6th day of June, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Twenty-first Indiana, and served for three years, filling the 
position of corporal most of the time. He took part in the battles of 
Baton Rouge, Teche, Siege of Port Hudson, and many minor engage- 
ments, being mustered out of service at New Orleans. He then 
returned to his old home in Indiana, arriving there July 24, 1864, and in 
the fall of that year took a trip west, visiting Nodaway County, where 
he purchased the farm on which he now resides. He returned again to 
Indiana, and afterwards came to reside permanently in the fall of 1865. 
He soon commenced to improve his farm, and has given his attention to 
agricultural pursuits since, now owning 212 acres of fine land, about 125 
acres of which is under cultivation, the remainder being pasture and 
timber lands. His farm is on the edge of the One Hundred and Two 
River, sheltered by timber, and is well adapted for stock purposes, in the 
raising of which he is largely interested. Mr. D. also has a neat and 
comfortable residence. He is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. I'", 
and A. M. of Hopkins. On the 30th of November, 1868, he was married 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 595 

to Miss Catherine Johnston. She was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, 
April 10, 1850. They have a family of five children: John W., George 
W., Frederick B., Mageline, and Edna. 

DONLIN BROS., 

dealers in general merchandise. This firm was established in 1870, and 
was the first to erect a business house and to open the first stock of 
goods in Hopkins. They carry one of the largest stocks of goods in 
in the city, and are crowded for room, although _ occupying a double 
store. Being well known in this vicinity for honesty and fair dealing, 
they merit the success that has attended their career. They are also 
interested in the Bank of Hopkins, and are owners of their store prop- 
erty, besides some residence lots. The firm is composed of John and 
Edward Donlin. John Donlin, the elder member of the firm, was born 
in December, 1834, in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. His father 
was a merchant, and John was raised in that business, receiving excel- 
lent educational advantages. He fitted himself for the profession of a 
civil engineer, and when nineteen years of age he commenced as such 
for the Peoria and Oquaka Railroad. This business he followed for about 
five years, and then settled in Mason County, Illinois, where he engaged 
in the mercantile business with his brother. Moving from there to 
Iowa, he afterward came to Xenia, Nodaway County, Missouri, in i858, 
and to Hopkins in 1870. He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. 
F. and A. M., and has been Master of the lodge for some five years. 
Mr. D. is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

EDWARD DONLIN, 

the younger member of the firm, was born March 15, 1838, in New 
Orleans, and was reared there, receiving excellent educational advan- 
tages, and being raised to the mercantile business. When fifteen years 
of age, he entered the general land office of Riggs & Merriman, of Peoria, 
Illinois, as book keeper, and there made the first set of abstract books 
of the city. After remaining for two years, he returned to New Orleans, 
and assisted his father in his civil engineering, moving to Rock Island, 
Illinois, in 1857. He there resided two years, during this time being 
engaged as book keeper with Birl & Walker. Upon locating in Union 
County, Iowa, he engaged in farming for eight years, meeting with 
marked success. In 1868, Mr. D. settled at Xenia, Nodaway County, 
Missouri, and in partnership with his brother John, engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business, then coming to Hopkins in 1870. He is a 
member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Donlin was mar- 
ried in 1858, to Miss Mary Harsh, a native of Ohio. They have had 



596 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

four children : Mary, William, Cora and Hattie. Donlin Brothers stand 
among the leading and most respected citizens of Hopkins. 

JOHN DORAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post office Hopkins, was born near 
the city of St. Johns, New Brunswick, March 19, 1831. He spent his 
boyhood days on a farm on the banks of the St. Johns River, receiving 
the benefits of an education in the schools of the neighborhood. In 1850 
he accompanied his parents to Marshall County, Illinois, where he resided 
until he came to Missouri, and since then he has given his attention prin- 
cipally to agricultural pursuits. He has also worked some at the car- 
penters' trade. When twenty-four years of age he embarked in business 
for himself, and made a nice farm in Illinois, which he sold in the spring 
of 188 1, and immigrated west to Missouri, arriving in Nodaway County 
in March following. He then purchased his present farm of 120 acres, 
which is being improved, and upon it is a comfortable residence and 
good buildings for the accommodation of his stock. He has a fair 
orchard, and his place is well watered and well adapted to stock raising. 
Mr. P. was married December 25, 1855, to Miss Sarah A. White. She 
was born in Marshall County, Illinois, November 11, 1838. They have 
seven children living : Lucy E., (now Mrs. J. M. Gillfillen), William H., 
Phebe A., Elsie N. R., James C, Sarah A. and Beatrice C. 

MICHAEL DOUGHERTY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Lawrence County, Indiana, May 8, 1834, and afterwards accompanied his 
parents to Knox County, Illinois, where he was principally raised as a 
farmer, receiving the benefits of a common school education. Upon 
arriving at maturity he started out in life on his own account, by first 
.working by the day. On the nth of August, 1862, he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, and served until the 
close of the war, holding the position of sergeant. He took part in the 
battle of Resaca, Georgia, and was with General Sherman on his famous 
march to the sea and around to Washington, where he took part in the 
grand review. Mr. D. then returned to his old home in Knox Count}', 
Illinois, and from there came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he 
purchased a farm. Most of the land was then in its primitive state. He 
moved to the place he now occupies in 1881 ; it contains 150 acres of fine 
land, well watered and well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Dougherty 
has filled most of the township'offices. He was married May 24, 1855, 
to Miss Nancy Muck, who was born in Harrison County, Indiana, Sep- 
tember 6, [838. They have raised an adopted child, Emma Dougherty, 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 597 

i 
now Mrs. J. P. St. Clair. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the United 

Brethren Church. J. P. St. Clair has found a home with Mr. D. since he 
was fourteen years of age. He was born in Benton County, Arkansas, 
August 31, 1855. In 1859, his parents moved to Mercer County, Illinois, 
and there he remained on a farm until the winter of 1869, when he came 
to Nodaway County and settled with Mr. Dougherty. During the winter 
of 1872, he attended school at Aulond Academy, in Livingston County, 
Missouri. He was married September 21, 1880, to Miss Emma Dough- 
erty. She was born in Worth County, Missouri, October 14, 1863. They 
have one child : Ethelbert M. Mrs. St. Clair is a member of the United 
Brethren Church. 

W. DOWNING, 

president of the Bank of Hopkins, was born February [8, 1825, in Wash- 
ington County, Indiana. His father was a native of New York State, 
and his mother was from Germany. The latter died while the son was 
about three years of age. At the age of ten years young Downing accom- 
panied his father to Fulton County, Illinois, where he remained until 
about eighteen years of age. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and 
by self-application obtained a fair education, although never having the 
privileges of attending school a day in his life. He immigrated west 
with a brother in 1843, and they settled in Andrew County, Missouri, 
being among the pioneers of that section. Savannah had only been laid 
off, during the year previous. Mr. Downing soon commenced working 
out by the month, and subsequently came to Nodaway County, settling 
permanently about the year 1850 Here he commenced improving a 
farm, and has made agricultural pursuits and stock dealing his principal 
business since that time. During the war he served for about three 
months in the enrolled Missouri militia. He was engaged in the mer- 
cantile business one year at Xenia, and then came to Hopkins, when the 
place was in its infancy, commencing to deal in grain and stock. This 
he continued until he became interested in the banking business in July, 
1877. In 1878 he became president of the bank, which position he still 
continues to occupy. His landed estate consists of some 920 acres, 240 
of which lay in Kansas. Having left home at fourteen years of age 
bareheaded and barefooted, he has worked his own way through life, and 
is now numbered among the most successful and enterprising citizens of 
the county. Mr. D. has suffered much from the effects of a serious illness 
at the age of eighteen, and at present is in poor health. He was married 
in June, 1849, to Miss Martha A. Broyles, a native of East Tennessee. 
She was born about the year 1819. They have reared several adopted 
children. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Free Will Baptist Church. 
Mr. D. also belongs to Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. 



598 . BIOGRAPHICAL. 

WILLIAM H. DRUMM, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Licking County, Ohio, January 6, 1834. His parents emigrated to Fulton 
County, Illinois, when he was about four years of age, remaining there 
for about eight years, when they moved to Knox County of the same 
state. William spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received the 
benefits of a common school education. Upon reaching his majority he 
commenced farming, and has followed that occupation since. During 
later years he owned a fine farm adjoining that of his father, and was 
interested in stock raising. Coming west in 1875, he purchased his farm 
and to it moved his family in the spring of 1877. This farm consists of 
160 acres of well improved land, well watered, upon which is a good 
orchard. He has fair accommodations for stock raising, in which indus- 
try he is interested, two head of his stock being full bloods, brought 
from Indiana. Mr. D. has a good situation for his residence, which gives 
him an excellent view of the surrounding country. He was married 
November ir, 1858, to Miss Mary A. Spurlock, a native of Wayne 
County, Virginia. She was born October 31, 1835. They have four 
children living : Clara (now Mrs. David White, of Hopkins), Frank, 
Henry and Eddie. Mr. and Mrs. D. are active and substantial members 
of the M. E. Church of Hopkins. 

B. G. EATON, 

proprietor of the Ridge Farm, on section 8, and breeder of fine sheep. 
Among the most enterprising farmers of this township may be men- 
tioned the subject of this sketch. He was born in Sullivan County, New- 
Hampshire, June 29, 1829, and was reared at his birth-place, spending 
his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of a com- 
mon education. He immigrated to Kane County, Illinois, in April, 
1853, where he opened a farm and engaged in stock raising, remaining 
until 1869. During the war he served with the Home Guards at Camp 
Douglas, although not subject to military duty. In 1869 he removed to 
Taylor County, Iowa, where he made his home for two years, and then 
came to Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri. Here he was engaged in 
the lumber business for one year, principally for the purpose of giving 
his eldest son an experience in the business, and is now doing a thriving 
business in the same line at Conway, Iowa. Mr. Eaton moved to the 
Ridge Farm in the fall of 1871. It consists of 250 acres of choice land, 
well watered, with excellent pasture lands- — making it one of the finest 
stock farms in the county. He is largely interested in sheep raising, 
and at present has about six hundred head, some of them being high 
grade Cots wold, imported from England. Mr. E. always carries away 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 599 

his share of the premiums at the county fairs. He is also largely inter- 
ested in poultry raising, and spares no pains in keeping his farm fitted 
up in good condition. He is an energetic, self-made man, and his moral 
standing is without reproach. Mr. Eaton has been three times married. 
First, March 4, 1853, to Miss Rhoda T. Fifield, a native of the same county 
and state as himself. She died in 1863, leaving one child, William B. 
His second marriage occurred September 12, 1863, .to Miss Jane Olm- 
stead, a native of York state. She died in July, 1870, and left four 
children: Bessie J., Mary T., Rhoda T. and EmelineT. His present wife 
was M. V. Campbell, whom he married in 1871. She was born in Keo- 
kuk, Iowa, March 22, 1846. By this union they have one child, Byron 
P. Mr. and Mrs. E. are active members of the M. E. Church, of Hopkins. 
Mr. E. formerly held the position of superintendent of the Sabbath 
School. 

H. C FLEMING, 

stock dealer, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 6, 1843, and 
remained at his birthplace until about eleven years of age, attending 
the school of the neighborhood. He accompanied his parents to Mis- 
souri in 1854, and first settled in Savannah, Andrew County, when it 
was in its infancy. After remaining there about four years, they moved 
to Taylor County, Iowa, also being among the pioneers of that vicinity. 
H. C. returned to Missouri in 1863, and engaged in teaching, first in 
Gentry County, and afterwards in Daviess, Nodaway, and Andrew Coun- 
ties. In 1864 he took a trip through Jackson County, Missouri, and wit- 
nessed many of the battles fought during General Price's raid through 
the state. He was married April 8, 1866, to Miss Nancy Jones, a native 
of Buchanan County, Missouri. After his marriage he turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits, and purchased a farm one mile south of 
Hopkins, in section 14. He now owns 240 acres of improved land, well 
watered, and one of the finest stock farms in the county. Mr. F. is a 
member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. of Hopkins, in which 
he formerly held the position of secretary. He takes a deep interest in 
educational matters, and has filled the position of school director most 
of the time since a resident of the county. His wife died on the 22d of 
June, 1876, leaving three children living: Anna B., Mary, and Rosa M. 
Soon after the death of his companion, Mr. F. rented his farm and 
moved to Hopkins for the purpose of educating his children. There he 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits a short time, but latterly has par- 
tially retired from active business life. 

A. W. FLOREA, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Hopkins, is one among the 
many prominent men of this district. He is a native of Ohio and was 



600 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

born June 30, 1848. There he resided till he obtained his majority, 
receiving the advantages of an excellent education. He is a graduate 
of North Liberty, Ohio, Acadamy, having completed his studies there 
in 1870. In 1872 he emigrated to this state and settled in Hopkins, 
where he remained four years, during the most of which time he was 
principal of the Hopkins schools. While a resident there he was one 
of that city's prominent and active men, and was looked upon as among 
the leaders of all movements pertaining to the advancement of the city 
and the elevation of society generally. He moved on his present place 
in 1876, and there he has since resided. He owns 200 acres of good 
land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Florea was married August 
10, 1871, to Miss Anna Reid, an estimable lady. They have three chil- 
dren : Oscar V., Clarence R. and Roy. Mr. F. is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. He and his wife belong to the. M. E. Church. 

FRAYNE & JEFFERS. 

This firm is composed of William S. Frayne and D. Jeffers. The 
former is a native of Palmyra, Wisconsin, and was born November 6, 
1853. He was reared at his birth-place, and after receiving a prepara- 
tory education in the common schools he attended Milton College, of 
Milton, Wisconsin. In 1870 he commenced to learn the tinner's trade, 
at Whitewater, Wisconsin, working for about three years in that locality, 
and then immigrated west and settled in Steamboat Rock, Hardin 
County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the hardware business". After 
remaining there one year he moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was 
interested in the wholesale hardware business, and one year later he 
came to Missouri, and located in Hopkins in November, 1877. Here he 
formed a partnership with C. S. Martin, and opened a hardware and fur- 
niture store. They carried on a thriving business until the fall of 1880, 
when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Frayne associated with him 
Mr. D. Jeffers, and erected the two story brick which they now occupy. 
They carry a $10,000 stock of hardware, furniture, glassware, etc., one of 
the largest and most complete in town, and have a good tin shop in con- 
nection with the business, also a stock of undertakers' goods. Mr. Frayne 
has worked his own way through life, and has won the respect of a large 
circle of friends. He is a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68, A. F. and 
A. M. He was married December 24, 1878, to Miss Nellie Crinklaw, a 
native of Marengo, Illinois, born in 1861. 

R. A. GEORGE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Ohio, and was born December II, 1831. He 
there resided till in his eighteenth year, when, with his father's family, 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 601 

he emigrated to Missouri, and settled in Andrew County, where he 
remained till 1868, then came to this county and located where he 
now resides, he being" the owner of seventy-seven acres of average 
land, all of which he cultivates. Mr. G. was married October 20, 1853, 
to Miss Mary J. Hobson. They have to bless this union seven children : 
Louisa L., Charles T., William H., James N., Margaret E., Walter R., 
and Nancy P. Mrs. G. is a member of the Baptist Church. The subject of 
this sketch was one of the first settlers in his district, and is a man who 
has the esteem and confidence of all who know him. 

S. W. GERARD. 

druggist and physician, was born January 22, 1832, in the village of Lon- 
don, Madison County, Ohio. He was reared at his birthplace, and 
received his education in the schools of that place. Having made choice 
of the study of medicine as a profession, he commenced its study in 
1855, beginning to practice in 1858. About this time he removed west, 
and settled in Dallas County, Iowa, where he remained for one year, 
then going to Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. After making his home 
there for six months, he came to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and remained there one year, afterwards locating at Xenia, where he 
remained until 1870. The country was then new and the settlements so 
scattered that he often rode thirty or forty miles to see half a dozen 
patients. He met with many thrilling adventures in his pioneer life. 
At the founding of Hopkins, in 1870, he was among the first to commence 
the drug business, and has since continued to carry it on, at the same 
time practicing his profession, in which he has met with marked suc- 
cess. Dr. G. carries a complete stock in his line, and has the patronage 
of a large circle of acquaintances. He owns his store property, and also 
one at Burlington Junction, besides his residence property at Hopkins. 
He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. and A. M., in which he 
formerly held the positions of Senior Warden and Secretary. Dr. Gerard 
was married in i860 to Miss Melvina Hatfield, a native of Illinois. They 
have had three children : Cora, Jennie and Lilly. 

GOODSILL BROTHERS, 

dealers in lumber, hardware, wagons, coal, etc., at Hopkins, Missouri, 
and also at Bedford, Conway, Gravity and Redding, Iowa, and at Grant 
City, Missouri. This firm name is familiar to almost every family in 
Southern Iowa and Northwest Missouri. Many are the persons they 
have helped, as they have stood in the front rank of liberal public spir- 
ited men, and are known as earnest, live, energetic business men, and 
are an honor to any town or good society. They do a very large busi- 



602 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ness. Their aggregate sales for 1 88 1 will amount to over $350,000, and 
is constantly increasing. They have sold over $45,000 worth of barb 
wire during the season of 1881. They erected one of the first business 
houses in Hopkins, about the time the rails were laid on the K. C, St. J. 
■& C. B. R. R., and shipped their first bill of lumber from Iowa around by 
St. Joseph, and paid for it at Maryville, for thirty days before any agent 
was stationed here, and as soon as the rails were laid to Hopkins they 
had their lumber here. They may truly be termed the pioneer business 
firm of Hopkins. They assisted in organizing the Bank of Hopkins, and 
are the owners of a large share of the stock. They are also interested 
in the Citizens' Bank of Bedford, Iowa. The men composing this firm, 
who have done so much toward forwarding all interests of the country 
round and about, is composed of Alexander and N. Goodsill. The former 
was born November 1, 1833, in Lower Canada, near Montreal, his parents 
being residents there for a time. They were natives of the Green Moun- 
tain State, and Alexander was taken there when quite young. He spent 
his boyhood days on a farm, and received the benefits of an academic 
education, making choice of agricultural pursuits as an occupation in 
life. In 1845 he immigrated to McHenry County, Illinois, and engaged 
in farming, and from there he moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where he 
made his home until 1875, when he came to Hopkins, and in partnership 
with his brother, N. Goodsill, engaged in the lumber business. As a 
business man, Mr. G. is thoroughly honest and reliable, and well merits 
the esteem in which he is held by a host of friends. He has been a self- 
made man, and owes his success in life only to his sterling principles of 
honesty, toil and fair dealing. He is a member of Taylor Lodge, of Bed- 
ford, Iowa, in which he is a Master Mason. He has been twice married — 
first in 1864, to Miss Mary J. Hill, a native of Charlotte, Vermont. She 
died in 1874, and left four children: Sarah U., Helen M., John R. and 
Mary. Mr. Goodsill was married again in 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Wil- 
liamson, a native of Meadville, Pennsylvania. By this union they have 
one child : Albert H. 

B. F. GOODSON, M. D. 

Among the successful practitioners of Nodaway Count}-, the subject 
of this sketch occupies a prominent position. He was born in Clinton 
County, Ohio, September 27, 1851, and remained at his birthplace until 
about sixteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Lewis 
County, Missouri, and resided there until 1877. He spent his youth 
on a farm, and received his literary education partly at Monticello and 
partly at the State Normal, at Kirksville, Missouri. Commencing the 
study of medicine in 1873, under a preceptor, he subsequently attended 
courses of lectures in 1876 7, at the Keokuk College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 603 

1877. He came to Nodaway County in the fall of 1877, and after stop- 
ping for a short time at Pickering, he settled at Gaynor City and com- 
menced the practice of his profession, remaining there until July, 1881. 
Dr. Goodson then came to Hopkins and purchased the residence prop- 
erty formerly occupied by Dr. Dawes, and established his headquarters 
at Hopkins. He has a large and lucrative practice, as he well deserves, 
for to the most thorough qualifications as a physician he adds prompt- 
ness in attention to his calls, and his pleasant and agreeable manners 
make him a welcome visitor to the sick room. He is an active member 
of Lodge No. 333, I. O. O. F. of Hopkins. Dr. G. was married July 14, 
1875, to Miss Elvina Vernon, a native of Morgan County, Ohio. By this 
union they have two children : Ethelbert and Lulu B. 

ALEXANDER GRANT, 

attorney and dealer in real estate, was born January 22, 1844, in Strat- 
ford, County of Perth, Province of Ontario, Canada, and is of Scottish 
parentage. He was reared and educated at his birthplace. Having 
made choice of the practice of the law as a vocation, he passed through 
the regular five years' course requisite in Canada, and was duly admitted 
to the bar in 1871, immediately thereafter commencing the practice of 
his profession in Stratford, his native city, a place of some nine thou- 
sand inhabitants. He also filled the position of mayor of the cky for 
two years. Upon removing to Missouri in January, 1881, he located at 
Hopkins, and purchased a two-thirds interest in the stock of the town 
company, and has since been interested in the sale of this property. 
He also purchased a tract of land adjoining the town, on which he is 
developing a stone quarry, the only one in this vicinity. Mr. Grant has 
taken a deep interest in advancing the interests of the town and county, 
and has the energy and will to carry out whatever he undertakes. He 
was married December 26, 1870, to Miss Mary McCulloch, a native of the 
same place as her husband, born in August, 1844. They have been 
blessed with a family of three children : William F., Mary McKay, and 
John H. Mr. and Mrs. Grant attend the Presbyterian Church. As a 
business man, Mr. G. is honorable and upright, and has already won the 
respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. 

THOMAS HEPBURN, 

dealer in harness, saddles, saddlery hardware, etc., was born in 
Scotland, on the 18th of March, 1838, and remained in that country 
until twelve years of age, crossing the ocean with his parents in 
the spring of 1850. He landed at Quebec and settled in Argintile 
County, Canada, five years later moving to Hastings County, Canada, 
where they settled permanently. Thomas spent his boyhood days on a 



604 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

farm and received a common school education. On the 3d of January, 
1862, he met with a severe accident by losing his right leg while engaged 
in teaming. In 1864, ne commenced to learn the harness and saddler's 
trade in Bellville, Hastings County, Canada, and has followed it since, 
working in Hartford, Plainville and Waterbury, Connecticut, and in 
Morristown, New York. He visited New York City in 1865 and returned 
to Hastings County, Canada, and followed his trade there until the 
spring of 1874, when he emigrated to Missouri and settled at Hopkins. 
For some time he was in the employ of John Stewart. He then opened 
a shop of his own in the fall of 1874, which he has continued to conduct, 
and now carries a complete stock and makes a specialty of the collar 
business, work of his manufacture being of a superior quality. He has 
a large trade in this line, his goods being often shipped to Chicago, and 
to Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. Mr. H. is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen of Hopkins, in which he holds the office of 
Foreman. He was married May 7, 1866, tc Miss Catherine Sample, a 
native of Canada. She died January 17, 1881, and left five children — 
John J., William H., Norman D., Barbara E. and Annie B. Three are 
deceased. 

HARRISON HICKS, 

grain dealer and a leadifig business man of Nodaway County, Missouri, 
was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 4, 183 1, of Quaker descent. 
He was named after General, afterwards President Harrison. The fol- 
lowing is a genealogical record of the Hicks family: James Hicks, Sr., 
was born in Sussex County, Virginia, September 3, 1834, and died in 
1784, in the same county. His wife, Elizabeth Clemmons, was born in 
Sussex County, Virginia, April 12, 1734. She died in the same county. 
Clemmons Hicks, their son, was born April 19, 1757, in Sussex County, 
Virginia, and died in 1804, in the same county. Mary Bailey, his wife, 
was born in Sussex County, Virginia, September 19, 1764, and died 
March 6, 1839, in Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio. Asa Hicks, Sr., 
their son, was born in Sussex County, Virginia, January 9, 1793, and died 
November 4, 1837, near the Wabash River, in Indiana. Anna Cox, his 
wife, was born in Warren County, Georgia, May 29, 1796, and died 
March 18, 1853, near Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. These 
latter were the parents of Harrison Hicks. When six years of age his 
parents decided to remove to Illinois, and while on the journey his 
father, Asa Hicks, was accidentally killed. His mother, Anna (Cox) 
1 licks, was left with a family of nine children. She settled on a farm in 
Tazewell County, Illinois, where young Harrison was principally raised, 
receiving his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. When 
nineteen years of age he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, and 
followed it as an occupation for six years, most of the time in Peoria. 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 605 

In 1856 he moved to Atlanta, Logan County, Illinois, and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in partnership with his brother Milton, until 1861. 
The firm then devoted their attention to stock dealing for five years, 
when Milton engaged in the lumber business in Streator, and is now one 
of the most prominent business men of the place, and the brother con- 
tinuing the stock trade until 1873. He then immigrated to Iowa and 
settled in Creston, and thence to Hopkins in 1876, and has since been 
one of the leading grain dealers of the city, and handling a large part of 
the shipments from this point. His facilities for handling are excel- 
lent, and his corn dump has a capacity of ten cars per day. 
To his most thorough qualifications for capacity as a business man, he 
adds those sterling qualities of integrity, honor and fair dealing, and 
those cardinal virtues that are the essence of a consistent life, for which 
the Society of Friends are noted, are fairly combined in the every day 
life of the subject of this sketch. His capital when he commenced life 
was his willing hands and hopeful heart, and his successful business 
career is ample evidence of the position he holds in the community. 
His standard of morality is high, and neither himself nor brothers are 
addicted to the use of intoxicating drinks or profane language, which 
he attributes to the wise counsel and teaching of a loving mother. He 
has been twice married. First, April 21, 1859, to Frances Graham, of 
Shelbyville, Kentucky, who died October 21, 1870, leaving two children : 
Arthur S and Rilla A. He married for his second wife Miss Martha 
Mills, October 11, 1877. She is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born 
March 18, 1836. Mrs. Hicks is a member of the M. E. Church, while her 
husband's preferences are with the society of his birth, although not 
connected with any stated organization. He cast his first presidential 
vote for John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for the presi- 
dency, and has always voted with this party until the last election. In 
the temperance movement he is an active worker, and every good cause 
receives his support. 

ROBERT HOOK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, post office Hopkins. Prominent 
among the enterprising and progressive farmers and stock raisers in this 
district stands the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Ohio, and 
was born January 9, 1836. He received his education from the district 
schools of that day, being brought up in the occupation which he now 
follows. March 29, 1871, he emigrated west, and settled in the state and 
county where he has since resided. His farm consists of 240 acres of 
good land, most of which is under cultivation. He has an excellent resi- 
dence on his place, and his improvements thereon are fully in keeping 
with the characteristics of the owner. Mr. Hook was married January 
1, i860, to Miss Mary McCoy. They have from this union five children: 



6o6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

William E., Russell E., Millen O., Mettie V. and Waldro C. Mr. and 
Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church. 

D. S. HOUSE, 

of the firm of House & Blair, proprietors of livery and feed stables, was 
born September 2, 185 1, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. In 1854 his 
parents moved to Indiana, and thence in 1855 to Mahaska County, 
Iowa, and later to Wapello County, same state, in 186 1. D. S. spent 
his boyhood days on a farm, and received a common school education. 
He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1875, 
when he commenced the mercantile business at Braddyville, Page 
County, Iowa. After pursuing that business for a year and a half, he 
became engaged in stock dealing, continuing therein until the fall of 
1877, when he came to Missouri and settled in Hopkins. On the 16th 
of October, of the same year, in partnership with J. A. Blair, he pur- 
chased the livery stables of Cotton & Mayham, and they have carried 
on the business successfully since that time. The livery stables are 
under the charge of Mr. House, and are well stocked and kept in good 
condition. The feed stables are superintended by Mr. Blair, and are 
well arranged for the accommodation of patrons. Mr. House was mar- 
ried August 19, 1873, to Miss Lottie Hart, a native of Iowa. They have 
had two children : Byron and Jessie. Mr. House's parents were among 
the pioneers of Kentucky. His father, who is still living at the advanced 
age of seventy years, was born in Kentucky. 

JACKSON BROTHERS, 

proprietors of Hopkins steam grist mills. This firm is composed of W. 
H. and James A. Jackson, whose father was a millwright. The boys 
were naturally brought up to the milling business, and in 1868 they 
formed a partnership, erecting a mill in Gentry County, Missouri. In 
1874 they moved to Grant City, Missouri, and erected a mill at that place. 
After operating it for two years they moved to Hopkins in the fall of 
1876. Their main building is thirty by forty feet, three stories high, and , 
is equipped with tour run of burrs and a complete set of machinery. 
They also have a corn dump in connection with the mill, and excellent 
facilities for shipping grain, their manufacture meeting with a ready sale. 
The Jackson Brothers are also interested in the raising of hogs for stock 
and market purposes, great pains having been taken in selecting their 
animals, among which are some fine Berkshire stock. They are ener- 
getic and public spirited men, and well deserve the success which has 
attended their business career. Their father, W. B. Jackson, was one of 
the leading and best known millwrights of Virginia, and is also well 



HOPKINS' TOWNSHIP. 607 

known through Missouri, especially at St. Joseph. W. H. Jackson, the 
eldest son, was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, March 30, 1839. He 
was reared at his birth place until fourteen years of age. About this 
time his parents decided to move to Missouri ; but while on the way his 
mother died. His father then settled on a farm in Gentry County, Mis- 
souri. When fifteen years of age W. H. commenced to learn the mill- 
wright's trade with his father, and has followed it as an occupation since, 
now being widely known as one of the most efficient millwrights in the 
western states. He arranges plans and specification, and often buys 
machinery for parties so desiring, though principally giving his attention 
to buying grain and the financial affairs of the Hopkins mills. During 
the late war he served for about two years in the enrolled Missouri 
militia. Mr. J. was married in Gentry County, March 29, 1863, to Miss. 
Sarah J. Canaday, a native of Gentry County, Missouri, daughter of W. 
G. Canaday, a prominent citizen of that county. They have been blessed 
with five children, three of whom are living; Martha S., and Nettie D. 
and Rosa B., twins. Mr. and Mrs. J. are active members of the Christian 
Church. 

JAMES A. JACKSON 

was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, February 25, 1843. In 1853, 
with his parents, he came west, his mother dying while en route. His. 
father settled on a farm in Gentry County, Missouri, and there James 
was principally raised, the senior Jackson giving his attention principally 
to his trade, the boys meantime carrying on the farm. During the late 
war he enlisted in the southern avmy under General Shelby in August, 
1862, and served until April, 1865, taking part in the battles of Helena, 
Arkansas, and Cape Girardeau. He accompanied General Price on his 
raid through Missouri in 1864, and took part in most of the important 
engagements south of the Missouri River. At the close of the war he 
returned to Gentry County, Missouri, and commenced the milling busi- 
ness, which he has since followed. He has principal charge of the busi- 
ness at the mill. Mr. Jackson was married in 1866 to Miss Minerva 
Shockley, a native of Missouri. They have one child, Olive. 

ROBERT P. JOHNSON, 

dealer in general merchandise, was born July 5, 1835, in Allegheny 
County, Pennsylvania, and was reared at his birthplace, spending his 
boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his education in the schools of 
the neighborhood. Upon reaching his majority, he commenced to work 
at the carpenter trade, which he followed for twelve years in Pennsyl- 
vania. Coming west in 1863, he settled near Rockford, Illinois, where 
he engaged in farming, and in 1868 moved to Kirkville, Wapello 



608 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

County, Iowa. There he farmed one year, when, on account of ill 
health, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and has since con- 
tinued therein with marked success. He came to Hopkins in May, 1879, 
and brought a stock of goods from Iowa, also purchasing a stock here, 
and has done a thriving business since. He is now erecting a substan- 
tial brick building twenty-two by fifty-five feet, two stories high, with a 
wareroom back. Mr. J. is the owner of the residence property formerly 
occupied by W. K. Adams. It is one of the best locations in the town. 
He is a member of Lodge No. 333 of the I. O. O. F. of Hopkins, and has< 
filled with honor all the offices within the gift of the lodge. He is also 
a member of the Good Templar Lodge of Hopkins. He has been twice 
married. First, in 1858, to Miss Margaret E. Brown, a native of Perry 
County, Pennsylvania. She died in the fall of 1868, leaving one child : 
Ella (now Mrs. E. Eichelberger). He was married again in the fall of 
1869, to Miss Maggie A. Griffith, a native of Washington County, Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. J. has two children : John R. (born April 18, 1875), and 
Ettie M. (born in January, 1877). He is a member of the Old School 
Presbyterian Church, in which he has held his present office of elder for 
several years. 

A. C. KENNEDY, 

agent for the K. C, St. Jo. & C. B. R. R. Co., and also of the C. B. & Q. 
Railroad, is a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and was born October 10, 
1842. He was reared at his birthplace, and received his education in 
the schools of his native country, spending his youth in tilling the soil. 
When fifteen years of age he commenced to learn the grocery business 
in Dundee, and after working for two years he resumed his school 
studies. After completing his education he learned the art of telegraph- 
ing, and followed it for two years in his native country, working at 
various places. Crossing the ocean in the winter of 186 1, he landed at 
Castle Garden, New York, and soon came westward, settling in Detroit, 
Michigan, where he engaged in the grocery business. In 1863 he com- 
menced railroading, and has continued the business since. Remaining 
some six years in the vicinity of Detroit, he then moved to St. Joseph, 
Missouri, and entered the employ of the K. C, St. Jo. & C. B. R. R. Co., 
and from there came to Hopkins in April, 1872. Here he accepted the 
position of chief clerk, and on the first of September, 1880, was given 
entire control of the business at this point, this being the junction of the 
two roads'. The position he occupies is a responsible one, but the 
employee has the confidence of the railroad officials. He is a thorough 
business man, and in the discharge of his duties exercises scrupulous 
care and fidelity. Mr. K. is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. & 
A. M., in which he fills the position of Past Master. He is also a mem- 
ber of Lodge \'<>. 333 of the I. O. O. F.„ of Hopkins, and has been 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 609 

a member of the Good Templars' Lodge. Mr. Kennedy was mar- 
ried in November, 1874, to Miss Dora Johnson, a native of Gosport, 
Indiana. They have had one child, Effie P. Himself and wife are active 
members of the Presbyterian Church of Hopkins, in which he holds the 
position of treasurer. 

W. W. KINNISON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins. Although not 
among the oldest settlers of the county, he is, nevertheless, one of the 
representative farmers and stock raisers of the same. He is a native of 
Virginia, and was born November 5, 1810. At an early day the family 
emigrated to Ohio, where he was raised and educated. In 1826, he 
removed to Elkhart County, Indiana, and after a long residence there 
removed to Illinois, where he remained for some time and then emi- 
grated to Iowa. There he made his home for five years, and then in 1865, 
moved to Missouri, settling in DeKalb County, where he resided eighteen 
months. From there he went to Andrew County, and four years later 
he came to this county, where he has since resided. Previous to moving 
on his present place, he was engaged in the hotel business in Hopkins, 
and has at different times, conducted hotels in Nora, Illinois ; Afton, 
Iowa, and Savannah, Missouri. Mr. K. has 157 acres of land, eighty of 
which are under cultivation. He was married in 1834, to Miss Fannie 
DeHaven. They have five children : Cyrus J., Mary E., Abram C, Joan 
J., and Harvey B. 

SAMUEL H. LEATHERS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Indiana and was born in 1836. He was brought 
up in his native county till in his sixteenth year, spending his youthful 
days in the occupation he now follows. At that time he emigrated to 
Edgar County, Illinois, where he resided six years, and from there he 
returned to Indiana, remaining for a like period. He then went to 
Page County, Iowa, in 1864, where he remained till 1881, when he set- 
tled in this state and county, which has since been his home. Mr. L. 
has 131 acres of good average land, 70 acres of which are under culti- 
vation. He has been twice married, first in 1857, to Miss Eliza E. 
Grover. They had by this union five children : Caroline C, Mary E., 
Julia A., James E. and Henry P. Mrs. Leathers' death occurred in 
1873. Mr. L. was again married September 20, 1875, to Mrs. Mary J. 
Stine. They are members of the Baptist Church. 

ABRAHAM LINDSAY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post office Hopkins, was born in the 
town of Holland, Penobscott County, Maine, April 30, 1833, and was 

39 



6lO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

taken to Bureau County, Illinois, by his parents when quite small. 
There he was principally raised on a farm, receiving an education in the 
schools of the neighborhood. He took a trip westward in 1858, and 
visited Nodaway County, Missouri, where he purchased 240 acres of 
land, which embraces part of his present farm. He returned to Illinois, 
and in the spring of 1859 emigrated to California, and .thence to Wash- 
ington Territory, going from there to Idaho and thence to Oregon. 
Mr. L. spent fourteen years in the west engaged in lumbering and min- 
ing, and has gained a pretty thorough knowledge of frontier life, having 
had some thrilling adventures, and also narrow escapes from being 
massacred by Indians. He spent some time in traveling through the 
southern states, but as a home prefers Nodaway County, Missouri. He 
settled on his farm in this county in the fall of 1872, which he has been 
improving and making additions and is now the owner of 320 acres, 
half of which is under cultivation, the remainder being pasture lands. 
His farm is well adapted to stock raising, in which he is largely inter- 
ested. He is at present filling the office of school director. He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. of Hopkins, and is an industrious and ener- 
getic citizen. Mr. L. was married December 31, 1874, to Miss Mary 
A.Wilson. She was born in Sheridan, Missouri, May 25, 1849. They 
have three children : Edward, Francis, and Clarence. 

JACOB LOUDEN, 

proprietor of the Star Bakery, Restaurant and Grocery, was born in Perry 

County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1841, and was reared in that vicinity until 

fifteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm receiving the 

benefits of a common school education. In 1857 he removed with his 

uncle to Ogle County, Illinois, where he remained for five years, when 

he enlisted in Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the 

24th of March, 1862, at Rockford, Illinois, and served something over 

three years, taking part in the siege of Corinth and Vicksburg, where 

they were engaged fifty-two days, siege of Jackson, Mississippi, battle of 

Kenesaw Mountain and siege of Atlanta. His regiment was then sent 

back to guard a railroad, and were all taken prisoners at Aqueth, Georgia, 

in September, 1864, by General Hood, and sent to Andersonville prison. 

They were held prisoners until March, 1865, when they reached the 

Union lines at Jacksonville, Florida, and Were taken aboard a vessel and 

sent around by water to Annapolis, Maryland, thence to St. Louis, and 

from there to Springfield, Illinois, when they were mustered out, July 

4, 1865. Mr. L. returned to his old home in Ogle Coainty, and in the fall 

of 1867 immigrated to Butler County, Iowa, where he improved an eighty 

acre farm. In 1S72 he came to 1 lopkins and engaged in teaming for two 

years and a-half, when he erected a building and started a restaurant 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 6l I 

and grocery, his cash capital being $70. In September, 1881, he sold 
out, and after taking a trip through Iowa, here turned to Hopkins and 
fitted up his present place of business. His rooms are neat and taste- 
fully arranged, his bakery is first-class in every particular, and his stock 
of fancy groceries is complete. He is a member of Lodge No. 333 of the 
I. O. O. F., of Hopkins, and of the A. O. U. W. He also belongs to the 
Hopkins cornet band, of which he was one of the organizers. He is said 
to be one of the best tuba players in the west. Mr. L. was married July 
4, 1870, to Miss Amanda C. Renn. She was born in Lycoming County, 
Pennsylvania, September 5, 185 1 . They have one child: William M. 

HENRY J. LOW, 

farmer and carpenter, section 1, post office Hopkins, occupies a front 
rank among old settlers and progressive and enterprising men of this 
county. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1828. He was 
there raised to manhood, following the occupation of contracting and 
building, having learned that trade some time previous. At the age of 
twenty-two years he emigrated to Lee County, Illinois, where he resided 
till 1868, when he removed to Missouri and located in this county. Here 
he now owns eighty acres of good average land, most of which is under 
cultivation. Since his residence here he has, besides following farming, 
worked at his trade in and about Hopkins, and has built some of the 
most substantial buildings in that place. In 1848 Mr. Low was united 
in marriage to Miss Abigail Holdren. They have from this union five 
children living : Mary E., Philip M., Sarah J., Charles M. and Theodo- 
sia. They are members of the M. E. Church, to which they are liberal 
contributors. 

H. LOWREY, 

druggist and stationer, was born August 13, 1841, in Somerset County, 
Pennsylvania, and was taken to Wayne County, Ohio, by his parents 
when about three years of age. There he passed his youth on the home 
farm, and received an education in the schools of that vicinity. During 
the late war he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and 
served until April, 1863, when he was discharged on the surgeon's cer- 
tificate of disability and returned home. In the fall of the same year he 
enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, Company D, serving until the close 
of the war. He held the position of sergeant in the last named com- 
pany, and took part in the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs and Tazewell, 
Tennessee, and was on Sherman's retreat from the rear of Vicksburg in 
August, 1862, and also took part in many skirmishes. During the 
Atlanta campaign his regiment made a raid and cut the communication 
on the West Point and Montgomery Railroad, and joined Sherman in 



6l2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

the rear of Atlanta, then going through to the sea. Mr. L. was mustered 
out of service in May, 1865, when he returned to his old home in Ohio. 
In 1866, he came west and settled at Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa, 
and in 1869, he took a trip west to Atchison, Kansas, remaining there 
four months, when he returned to Fort Madison. In the fall of 1870, he 
moved to Franklin County, Kansas, made that vicinity his home for one 
year, and then went again to Fort Madison. In the spring of 1873, he 
moved to Harvey County, Kansas, and remained there until the fall of 
1874, when he came to Hopkins, first entering a general merchandise 
store. He afterwards became connected with a drug store, and in the 
spring of 1877, commenced the business on his own account, now carry- 
ing a large and complete stock, which he has built up by adhering to 
sterling principles of honesty and fair dealing, thereby winning the 
patronage of a large circle of friends. He is a member of Lodge No. 
333, of the I. O. O. F. of Hopkins, of which he is one of the charter 
members, and in which he has filled all the offices. Mr. Lowrey was 
married in December, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Redman, a native of Jeffer- 
sonville, Indiana. She died August 11, 1872. They had two children, 
both of whom are deceased. 

A. G. LUCAS, 

of the firm of Pierce & Lucas, editors and proprietors of the Hopkins 
Journal, and Taylor County Republican, of Bedford, Iowa. Mr. Lucas 
was born April 15, 1844, in Kittanning, Armstrong County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and was taken to Brookville, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, by 
his parents when quite young, there remaining until thirteen years of 
age. At that time he accompanied his parents to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
vania, which city he made his home until 1874. Mr. L. received a part 
of his education in the schools, though most of it was obtained by self- 
application. His thirst for knowledge led him to study the modern 
languages, of which he can speak three and write five. In 1858 he com- 
menced to learn the printing business, and at the same time studied 
law to some extent. He left the case at the breaking out of the war, 
and enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry, in April, 
1 86 1, as a three months volunteer. He afterwards enlisted in Company 
M, Twenty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, and served through the Penin- 
sula campaign, and at the battle of Malvern Hills he was wounded and 
sent home. He was subsequently discharged, but upon recovering, he 
re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania 
Infantry, and served until July, 1865, taking part in the Atlanta Cam- 
paign and with Sherman on his march to the sea. During his first cam- 
paign, Mr. L. took part in the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair 
Oaks, and the seven day's fight before Richmond. Entering as a pri- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 613 

vate, he was soon promoted to sergeant, and after passing the various 
grades of advancement, came out as adjutant of his regiment. At 
the close of the war he returned to Pittsburgh and continued the study 
of law until he was admitted to the bar in 1866. He at once com- 
menced practicing in Pittsburg, continuing until 1874. During the 
years 1867-8 he held the position of assistant district attorney, under 
Robert B. Cranahan, United States District Attorney for the Western 
District of Pennsylvania. Upon removing west in 1874, Mr. Lucas 
remained a short time at Maryville, and then went to Grant City, Mis- 
souri, where he engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate 
business. In 1877 he purchased the Grant City Star, which he contin- 
ued to published for one year, when he came to Hopkins and purchased 
an interest in the Hopkins Journal with James M. Pierce. On the 1st 
of January, 1878, they started the Taylor County Republican at Bed- 
ford, Iowa. As a journalist Mr. L. is a grand success, and his ability as a 
short-hand writer enables him to do much more labor than generally 
falls to the lot of an editor. He is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 
253, A. F. and A. M.; Du Quesne Chapter, No. 193, R. A. M.; Mt. 
Moriah Council, No. 2, R., S. E. and S. M., and Pittsburgh Commandery, 
No. 1, K. T., all of Pittsburgh. He was married in February, 1867, to 
Miss Anna M. Byers, a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. They 
have five children living : Lulu, Bessie, Ray, Frank, and Annie. One is 
deceased. Mr. Lucas and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Church, 

GEORGE H. LYTLE, 

farmer and stock dealer, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, 
November 5, 1842. In 1844 his parents moved to Delaware County, 
Ohio, but returned to Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1848, where 
they resided until 1854. They again moved to Delaware County, Ohio, 
and there George received a common school education. He remained 
on the home farm until 1862, when he married and commenced farming 
on his own account. Removing west in the fall of 1864, he settled in 
Nodaway County, Missouri, some five miles west of Hopkins. The coun- 
try was sparsely settled, and to attempt to clear a farm was enough to 
discourage the heart of the most courageous, but by hard work and close 
attention to business he has been able to accumulate 446 acres of fine 
land, divided into two farms, both of which are improved and well 
watered. His home farm has an excellent bank barn, a wind-pump, a 
good orchard, etc., and is one of the best adapted for stock purposes in 
this locality. He is largely interested in stock raising, most of his stock 
being high grade. His capital stock, when he commenced in life, con- 
sisted of two horses and a set of harness. Mr. Lytle takes a deep inter- 
est in educational matters, and has filled the position of school director 



6l4 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

several terms. In October, 1881, he purchased an acre lot and a neat 
residence in Hopkins, and moved his family to town for the purpose of 
educating his children. He was married October 22, 1865, to Miss 
Annetta Thurston, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, May 22, 
1844. They have an interesting family of three children : Charlie, Lena 
and Delia. 

ELI McATEE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in Union 
County, Indiana, December 1, 1827. He was reared on a farm, at his 
birthplace, receiving an education in the schools of the neighborhood, 
and, in 1844, accompanied his parents to VanBuren County, Iowa, where 
he remained some thirteen years. Upon arriving at maturity he com- 
menced farming on his own account, and has made that his occupation 
through life. In the fall of 1856, he moved to Mercer Count}-, Missouri, 
and resided there for sixteen years. During the war, he volunteered to 
serve several times, but was rejected on accout of ill health ; neverthe- 
less, he was a member of the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In the spring 
of 1873, he moved to Jefferson Count}-, Kansas, remaining there one 
year, when he moved to Jackson County, same state, afterwards coming 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the fall of 1874. He first settled near 
Pickering, but, six months later, moved to his present place, which con- 
sists of 100 acres of rich land, well adapted to stock raising, in which 
industry he is largely interested. He has a good orchard of apple 
and peach trees, and a large assortment of small fruit. Mr. McA. has 
filled the office of justice of the peace for about five and a half years. 
While in Mercer County, he helped to organize a township, and held the 
office of township clerk. He is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. 
F. and A. M., of Hopkins. Mr. McA. has been twice married. First, 
in 1849, to Miss Catherine Williamson. She died in August, 1854, 
leaving one child, Alice (now Mrs. J. C. Brown). He was married 
again in September, 1858, to Miss Sarah E. Puett, a native of Wayne 
County, Indiana. By this union they have four children : Eva E. (now 
Mrs. George W. Sturgeon), Isadore, Ann L. and Sarah W. ; lost, three. 
Himself and wife are active members of the M. E. Church of Hopkins. 

SAMUEL McATEE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Union Count}-, Indiana, April 14, 1840. In 1844 his parents moved to 
V,m Buren Count}-, Iowa, and there Samuel was principally raised, 
spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving a common school 
education. lie accompanied his parents to Mercer Count}-, Missouri, in 
the fall of [856, and resided there some seventeen years, engaged in 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 615 

agricultural pursuits. During the war he served in the Enrolled Mis- 
souri Militia. Immigrating to Jackson County, Kansas, in 1873, he resided 
there five months, and then came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the 
fall of 1874, locating where he now resides. He owns a fine farm of 130 
acres, seventy of which are under cultivation and well adapted to stock 
raising. He has a young orchard and other improvements upon his 
place. Mr. McA. has filled the position of school director several years, 
and now holds the office of road overseer. He was married August 24, 
1862, to Miss Mary A. Puett, a native of Indiana. She was born April 
3, 1836. They have three children living: Sarah A., (now Mrs. William 
Watters), Theora J. and Eli A. Himself and wife are active members of 
the M. E, Church, and hold their membership at Happy Hollow. Mr. 
McAtee's parents reside with him. His father, John McAtee, was born 
July 3, 1803, in Rowan County, North Carolina, and moved to Union 
County, Indiana, when twenty-one years of age. He was married Sep- 
tember 28, 1825, to Miss Sarah Star, a native of the same place as her 
husband. They have seven children living : William, Eli, Nancy, Oliver, 
Almira, (now Mrs. Thomas Keywood), Samuel, Diana, (now Mrs. Joseph 
E. Puett.) 

HAMILTON McCOV, 

stock dealer and farmer, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Septem- 
ber 4, 1848. He was reared at his birthplace, spending hrs boyhood days 
on a farm, and receiving an education in the schools of the neighbor- 
hood. He has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and 
stock raising through life, and at one time owned a fine farm in his native 
county in Ohio, and was largely interested in stock raising. In 1872, 
having heard glowing accounts of the western country, in August of that 
year, he came to Missouri and settled in Hopkins, Nodaway County, 
which was at that time a new place. Here he engaged in the stock busi- 
ness, and has given his attention to that and farming since, at present 
being largely interested in feeding and shipping. He owns two fine 
farms of eighty acres each, one joining the town of Hopkins on the south, 
and the other half a mile south. He has a comfortable residence just 
outside of the town limits, and excellent accommodations for stock. He 
is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., in which he formerly 
held the position of master. Mr. McCoy was married November 26, 
1870, to Miss Isabella Markley, a native ot Coshocton County, Ohio. 
She was born April 13, 1849. They have two children : Irma and Logan. 

JOHN McCURDY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post office Hopkins, was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, February 21, 1843, and was there reared, and 



&l6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

attended the schools of the neighborhood. He crossed the ocean in 
1859, an d landed at Castle Garden, New York City, he at that time being 
but sixteen years of age. In a country amongst strangers, without a rel- 
ative or friend, he first located in Miami County, Ohio, and then removed 
to Taylor County, Iowa, going from there to Page County, Iowa, in i860. 
He made his home in that locality until 1869; During the war he 
enlisted in an Iowa company for nine months service, but the company 
was not called out. Coming to Nodaway County in 1879 ne settled 
where he now resides, and began the improvement of a farm. He now 
owns 240 acres, all of which is under fence and partially improved. He 
is largely interested in the raising of stock. Having commenced life a 
poor boy, he has worked his way up to his present position by honesty 
and industry. 

SAMUEL McFARLAND. 

Prominent among the old settlers and enterprising business men of 
Nodaway County, stands the subject of this sketch. He was born June 
18, 1822, in Center County, Pennsylvania, and was taken to Beaver 
County, Pennsylvania, by his parents in 1827, where he was principally 
raised, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his educa- 
tion in the schools of the neighborhood. He accompanied the family to 
Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1840, where he devoted his attention to 
farming, and in 1848 he married Miss Julia A. Holmes, a native of that 
county. In 1855 Mr McFarland moved to Johnson County, Iowa, with 
his family, consisting of his wife and four children, and from there went 
to Texas in the fall of 1856, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. In the spring of 1859 he lost his wife and eldest child by death, 
and consequently returned to Ohio in the fall of that year. In July, 
i860, he was married again, to Miss Nancy Elliott, a native of Coshoc- 
ton County, Ohio. September 5, i860, he started for Texas, 1,400 miles 
distant, overland with a team, and made the trip in forty-eight days.. 
There he remained until the 12th of August, 1861, when the rebellion 
broke out. Being an Ohio man, his sentiments were not in keeping 
with that of the majority of the population. So he concluded to emi- 
grate to Nodaway County, Missouri. He started on the 12th of August, 
1 86 1, with his family, in company with George Downing and family, to- 
travel a distance of 700 miles, through a country overrun with troops — 
Federal, Confederate, Bushwhackers, and Kansas Jaykawkers — and met 
with many thrilling adventures, arriving in Xenia, September 11, 1861. 
This completed a distance of 2,100 miles traversed within a year by one 
team. He subsequently settled on his present farm. The country was 
unsettled, his nearest post office was Xenia, six miles distant, and the 
supply point was St. Joseph. It took five days to make the latter trip. 
The country then abounded in deer and wild turkeys. Mr. McFarland 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 6\J 

remembers of having seen deer feeding with his cattle, and a wild tur- 
key gobler, who found his home in the trees near by, woke him regu- 
larly at five o'clock in the morning for a period of five years, when it 
fell a prey to some lazy hunter. When the railroad came here in 1870, 
and a town was to be established, Mr. McFarland, who owned part of 
the town-site, assisted in founding Hopkins, mention of which is made 
in another part of this work. He now owns a third interest in the town 
and has some 400 acres of farm land in the vicinity. The home farm 
has one of the finest locations in the county, being situated between the 
upper forks of the One Hundred Two River, and only one-half mile dis- 
tant from the business portion of Hopkins. It is well improved, con- 
taining good residence and other buildings ; also, an excellent orchard. 
Mr. McFarland is widely and favorably known, and it is to such enter- 
prising men as he that Nodaway County is indebted for the position she 
holds as one of the leading counties of the state. In 1845 he joined the 
Methodist Church, and has since adhered strictly to its principles. He 
is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M.; is also an active 
temperance' worker, and belongs to Hopkins lodge. By his first wife 
Mr. McFarland has four children living: John C, Scott, Joseph, and 
Sarah, now Mrs. J. Caldwell, of Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri. 
Four are deceased. He and his present wife are active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Hopkins, and assisted in organizing the 
church at this place. He holds the office of church trustee. 

D. MALOTT & SON, 

blacksmiths and repairers, are among the old settlers of this place. D. 
Malott was born in Grant County, Indiana, February 10, 1820. He spent 
his boyhood days on a farm at his birthplace, and received an education 
in the schools of the vicinity. When sixteen years old lie commenced 
to learn the blacksmith trade at Marion, Grant County, Indiana and has 
made that his occupation through life, moving to Miami County, Ohio, in 
1 841. He remained there four years, and then returned to his native 
county, going from there to Livingston County, Illinois, in 1863. 
Six years later he came to Missouri, and settled in Nodaway County in 
the fall of 1869. Here he purchased a farm near Hopkins, settling his 
family thereon, while he came to Hopkins and started the first black- 
smith shop in the place in 1871. This business he carried on until 1877,. 
when he sold out and turned his attention to farming. His farm is 
located on section 8, of this township, and comprises nineteen acres of 
well improved land. In the fall of 1880, he moved to town and in partner- 
ship with his son, James A., erected a new shop., the neatest of the kind 
in the place, and being excellent workmen are receiving a very liberal 
patronage. Mr. M. was married in May, 1841, to. Miss Rachel Patti, a 



6l8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

native of Ohio. The}- have had eleven children, six of whom are living: 
A. F., D. P., N. W., James A., Olive E. (now Mrs. Scott McFarland), and 
Ettie. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. 
James A. Malott was born Jul)- 5, 1854, in Marion, Grant County, Indi- 
ana, and has remained with his parents in their various moves through 
life, coming to Missouri with them in the fall of 1869. He received a 
good business education, and when twenty years of age he commenced 
to learn the blacksmith trade with his father. In 1878, he moved to 
Atchison County, Missouri, and opened a shop, which he conducted 
for one year. He was married May 21, 1876, to Miss Mary E. 
Byerly, a native of Iowa. She died in the fall of 1878. They had two 
children, only one of whom is now living : Edna A. Mr. Malott is a 
member of Lodge No. 333, I. O. O. F., of Hopkins, in which he holds 
the office of secretary. . He is greatly interested in machinery, and is of 
quite an inventive turn of mind, possessing the necessary amount of 
energy to succeed in whatever he undertakes. 

C. S. MARTIN 

was born September 5, 1846, in Walworth Count)-, Wisconsin, where he 
was raised on a farm. After receiving a preparatory course in the schools 
of the neighborhood he completed his education at Milwaukee. At 
eighteen years of age he commmenced to learn the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for five years. In the fall of 1869 he came west, set- 
tling in Hopkins in 1870, and soon opened a grocery store, to which he 
afterwards added a stock of furniture. Finally discontinuing the grocery 
business, he added hardware to his furniture business. He now occupies 
two floors of a building 20x50 feet, filled with a complete stock, and also 
has a first-class tin shop in the rear of the building. Being one of the 
oldest business men in this place, he is widely and favorably known, and 
by his system of honesty and fair dealing has won the patronage of many 
citizens. He is a member of Lodge No. 333 of the I. O. O. F., of Hop- 
kins. Mr. Martin was married in October, 1872, to Miss Mary Stewart, 
a native of Wisconsin. He and his wife are active members of the Pres- 
byterian Church, of Hopkins, in which he holds the position of Deacon. 

JOHN MENDENHALL, 

section 31, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born in 18 16. At an earl)- age, with his father's 
family, he emigrated to Ohio, where he remained till he was seventeen 
years of age, then moving to Illinois. He settled in Galena, where he 
followed the occupation of blacksmith, and after making that city his 
home for one year, he moved to Wisconsin, where he began the occupa- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 619 

tion of mining. After remaining there three years he removed to Min- 
nesota, and a short time after returned to Illinois, where he settled. 
After residing there till 1876 he emigrated to this state, and settled in 
Harrison County, where he lived two years, after which he moved to 
this county and settled where he now resides. Mr. M. has fifty acres of 
crood average land, all of which he cultivates. He has been twice mar- 
ried — first to Miss Catharine Low, May 28, 1840. She died January 5, 
1872, leaving five children : Elizabeth, William A., Thomas J., Philip W. 
and Isaac B. Mr. M. was.again married June 2, 1876, to Miss Joan Mont- 
gomery. She is a member of the Baptist Church. 

CHARLIE MONIER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14. Prominent among the enterprising 
citizens of Nodaway County may be mentioned the subject of this 
sketch. He was born on the Isle of Man, April 14, 1848, and was 
brought to the United States, by his parents, when three years of age. 
They landed at New York City, and soon came west, to Peoria County, 
Illinois, where they remained for seven years, then moving to Marshall 
County, of the same state. Here Charlie was principally raised, spend- 
ing his boyhood days on a farm, and, after receiving a preparatory edu- 
cation in the neighborhood schools, he completed it at Galesburg, Illi- 
nois. When twenty-one years of age he commenced business for 
himself, and while in Illinois he owned a fine farm, and was largely 
interested in stock raising. Selling out, in the fall of 1879, he came 
west, and purchased his present farm, to which he moved his family, 
and settled in the spring of 1880. His landed estate now consists of 
613 acres of rich land, all except eighty acres being under cultivation, 
and fifty acres of this is timber land. He has one of the finest resi- 
dences in the county, situated on an elevation, from which Hopkins, on 
the north, and Pickering, on the south, are to be seen. Mr. M. is 
largely interested in the stock business, and in purse, as well as in char- 
acter, is one of the solid men of the county. He takes a deep interest 
in educational matters, and, at present, fills the position of school 
director of his district. He was married, January 30, 1879, to Miss 
Charlotte Doran, a lady of refinement and culture. She was born in 
Marshall County, Illinois, December 23, 185 1. They have one child, 
Ray Hughes. Mr. Monier's parents are both living. His father was 
eighty-one years old December 25, 1881, and his mother'was seventy- 
nine on the 2d of February, 1881. They were both natives of the Isle 

of Man. 

REV. JOHN MOORHEAD, 

pastor of the M. E. Church, of Hopkins, was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, December 20, 1834, and in the spring of 1837, with his parents, he 



620 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

emigrated to the United States They settled in Monroe County, Ohio, 
where John spent his time on the farm until eighteen years of age, when 
he moved to Tazewell County, Illinois. After spending the summer there 
he returned to Ohio and attended school during the winter. The next 
summer he also spent in Illinois, returning in the fall and attending 
school in the winter season. In the spring of 1854 Mr. Moorhead went 
to Albany, Athens County, Ohio, attending a Normal Labor School 
there for eighteen months, paying his tuition by his work. His parents 
having moved to Tazewell County, Illinois, in the spring of 1854, John 
followed them in 1855. He worked for two months at the carpenter's 
trade, teaching school during the winter, and during the spring and sum- 
mer of 1856 he attended the Wesleyan University, of Bloomington, 111. 
In the winter and spring of 1857 he engaged in teaching in Tazewell 
County, Illinois, and the latter part of the year he spent at the Wesleyan 
University. In the summer of 1858 he again worked at his trade. In 
September, 1858, he immigrated to Caldwell County, Missouri, in com- 
pany with Rev. Daniel Proctor, and the following winter taught school 
at Pleasant Grove, Livingston County, Missouri. In the fall of 1858 he 
was licensed to preach, and in the spring of 1859 was recommended to 
the Annual Methodist Episcopal Conference of Missouri and Arkansas, 
being favorably received on trial. He was appointed under Rev. J. W. 
Caughlan to the Oregon and Rock Port Circuit embracing the counties 
of Holt and Atchison, and for his years' services received one hundred 
dollars. In the spring of i860 he was appointed to take charge of 
Ridgely Circuit, in Platte County. November 4, i860, Mr. M. was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth S. Heywood, of Livingston County, Missouri. She 
was born in Rush County, Indiana, July 26, 1836. For the next years' 
work he received $75. In 1861 he again had charge of the Maryville 
Circuit, or Nodaway County, and during the winter he taught school to 
aid in supporting his family. He received the same charge in 1862, but 
was re-appointed after the first quarterly meeting to the Chillicothe Cir- 
cuit. This was done at the earnest request of several citizens of Chilli- 
cothe to Elder Burton. The territory over which he travels now 
embraces eight stations and circuits. Besides having this large circuit 
to attend to he was compelled to cut and haul wood to pay his house 
rent. Mr. M. organized a flourishing society and a good Sunday School 
at Chillicothe. In 1863 he was appointed to the Oregon Circuit, 
embracing Holt County, and during the winter was appointed by Col. 
Clough to organize Union Leagues in Northwestern Missouri. He after- 
wards organized leagues in Holt, Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, 
DeKalb and Harrison Counties, and also appointed delegates to other 
counties. He was sent as a delegate to the Grand Union League of 
Kansas, which met at Topeka in the spring of 1864, and induced them to 
grant him a dispensation to organize a State League in Missouri. This 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 62 I 

he did on his return, at St. Joseph, having delegates from the different 
leagues. At this meeting he was appointed Grand Lecturer for the state, 
and besides filling his appointment organized leagues in the counties 
above named. In 1864 he was appointed to the Bethany and Edinburg 
Circuit, including all of Harrison and parts of Daviess and Grundy 
Counties. In 1865 he received the Bethany Circuit, or Harrison County, 
and worked in the county that fall in the interest of the new state con- 
stitution. In 1866 he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Le Grand 
District, embracing .Lewis, Clark, Knox, Schuyler, Adair, Scotland. 
Shelby, and a part of Marion Counties. He served the regular term of 
four years. In 1870 and 1871 he was stationed at Kirksville, Adair 
County. In 1872 he received Olvester and Glenwood, and in 1872 Beth- 
any, Harrison County, and the years 1874-5-6 he passed on the Albany 
Circuit, of Gentry County ; 1877-8 on the Barnard Circuit, in Nodaway 
County: 1879-8081011 the Hopkins Circuit. Mr. Moorhead, during 
his roamings, has met with many thrilling and miraculous escapes. He 
is an active member of the Good Templars' Lodge, of Hopkins. His 
family consists of three children living : William Lincoln, born May 
16, 1866; John L., born March 16, 1870; Mary L., born June 19, 1875. 
One is deceased. 

WILLIAM MOREHOUSE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Essex County, New Jersey, near the city of Newark, September 20, 1806. 
He spent his boyhood days on a farm at his birthplace, receiving a 
common school education, and when sixteen years of age he accompan- 
ied his parents to Morrow (then Delaware) County, Ohio. They settled 
in the timber, and there William assisted his father and brothers in 
clearing a farm, and then improved one for himself. He was also engaged 
in the saw milling business twenty years, and being skilled in the use of 
tools, also worked some at the carpenter's trade. He came west in 1856 
on a pleasure tour, and returned home and sold his farm, moving with 
his family in 1858 to Nodaway County, settling here in July of the same 
year. He purchased the land where he now resides in 1859. Mr. M. has 
since given his, attention to agricultural pursuits. The county was very 
thinly settled at that time, and he entered upon his second pioneer expe- 
rience. His farm now contains eighty acres of improved land and sixty- 
eight acres of timber. He is a sturdy, honest and industrious citizen, 
and has seen many a hard day's work, but is still well preserved and well 
posted on the topics of the day. Mr. M. was married about the year 
1830, to Miss Elizabeth Aldridge, a native of York State. By this union 
they have five children living: Susan, (now Mrs. John Goodman), Caro- 
line, (widow of Luther Riley), Smith, Cynthia, (now Mrs. Samuel Wood) 
and Percilla. Three are deceased. 



622 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HARVEY MOREHOUSE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Morrow (then Deleware) County, Ohio, July 28, 183 1, and was there 
reared, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving An educa- 
tion in the schools of the neighborhood. His father worked at the car- 
penter trade, and Harvey also learned to use the tools when quite young, 
and being of an ingenious turn of mind, took quite a liking to the busi- 
ness, and has followed it more or less through life. He emigrated west 
and settled in this county in 1858, when it was almost a wilderness, and 
has been identified with its growth and prosperity since. He has filled 
the offices of road overseer and school director several terms. He owns 
a nice farm of 120 acres, all of which is in cultivation and pasture lands. 
He has a small orchard and keeps a fair amount of stock. The tornado 
which passed through this region in June, 1881, swept the fence clear 
from forty acres of his land and damaged his crops to a considerable 
extent. Mr. M. was an eye witness to the scene and assisted in caring 
for those injured. He was married in the fall of 1854, to Miss Adeline 
Wood, a native of Cataraugus County, New York. They have a family 
of eight children : Charles, Lillian (now Mrs. Cyrus White), Lucina (now 
Mrs. H. C. Butts), Albert, Timothy, Alice A., Lemars and Ethie M. 
Mrs. M. is a member of the M. E. denomination. 

S. A. MOREHOUSE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Morrow County, Ohio, December 12, 1833. He was reared at his birth- 
place, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving an education 
in the schools of the neighborhood. He also worked some at the car- 
penter's trade. Coming west in 1858, he settled in Nodaway County, 
and has since been identified with the growth and prosperity of this 
county. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. 
Mr. M. has devoted his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, and 
now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, well improved. He has filled most 
all of the township offices. He is a member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. 
and A. M. of Hopkins, and stands among the leading citizens of the 
county. Mr. M. was married December 31, 1853, to Miss Alice Wood, 
an estimable lady. She was born in Erie County, New York, January 
17, 1834. They have had six children, five of whom are now living — 
Edward, Madora, (now Mrs. Wesley Gray,) Nelson, Frank and Mario. 

FRANCIS M. MOREHOUSE, 

farmer and stuck raiser, section 9, post office Hopkins, is the second 
son of Judge Stephen Morehouse, of Maryville, and was born in Mor- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 623 

row County, Ohio, May 19, 1843. He was reared at his birthplace until 
thirteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on the farm, and 
receiving the benefits of an education in the schools of the neighborhood. 
In the spring of 1856, he accompanied his parents westward, they set- 
tling in Union Township, Nodaway County, where they commenced the 
improvement of a farm in the then wild and thinly settled county. 
Since that time they have been identified with the advancement and 
interests of Nodaway County. During the war, Francis served in the 
Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has given his attention to agricultural 
pursuits through life, and now owns a fine farm of eighty acres, well 
improved, besides twenty acres of timber. He has good buildings for 
the accommodation of his stock. His farm is watered by three good 
wells, and he also has a good young orchard. Mr. M. has filled the 
office of road supervisor five years and school director two years. He 
was married, in 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Huls, a native of Kentucky. 
They have been blessed with three children, two of whom are living : 
Mattie M. and Luna V. 

G. A. MOREHOUSE, 

farmer and fine stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born 
in Morrow County, Ohio, March 26, 1845, and was there reared, spend- 
ing his youth on a farm and receiving a common school education. 
Arriving at maturity he commenced farming on his own account, and in 
the spring of 1869 came west, settling in Nodaway County, Missouri. 
He has given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life, and now 
owns 40 acres of improved land and 10 acres of timber. He is largely 
interested in raising fine horses, roadsters of the famous Black Hawk 
and Hamiltonian stock, some of the best in the west. One of these 
animals took two premiums in Morrow County, Ohio. Mr. M. also 
keeps three varieties of hogs — Berkshire, Poland-China and Jersey Reds, 
the last named being imported direct from New Jersey. He is also 
largely engaged in sheep raising, and in partnership with his brother 
owns about 300 head. Mr. M. was married in 1868 to Miss Mattie 
Strawn, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, in October, 1842. They 
have three children Minnie M., John H. and Florence M. 

JOHN NIXON, 

grain and stock dealer, was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 13, 
1836, and at the age of five years was taken to Fountain County, Indi- 
ana, by his parents, where he was principally raised as a farmer, receiv- 
ing his education in the schools of the vicinity. In 1854, he removed 
to Page County, Iowa, and resided there for about twenty-three years,. 



624 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

being engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock dealing, his attention 
having been more particularly devoted to the latter business during the 
last twelve years. In 1877, he sold out and went to the Walla-Walla 
Valley, Washington Territory, where he remained eighteen months, 
engaged in farming. From there he came to Hopkins, Missouri, and 
engaged in the grain and stock business. He now ships a large portion 
of the grain which goes from this point, and being a live, energetic busi- 
ness man, is deserving of his success. Mr. Nixon at present holds the 
position of township collector of this township. He has been twice 
married. First, on the 19th of March, 1854, to Miss Mary Dennison, a 
native of Perry County, Ohio. She died February 26, 1855, leaving one 
child : William M. He married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth A. 
Davison, a native of Page County, Iowa, on the 30th of December, 1855. 
By this union they have seven children : Mary (now Mrs. O. McFarland), 
S. W., Emily J. (now Mrs. G. W. Shearer), Victoria E., John S., Martha 
B., and Alma A. Mr. Nixon is a" member of the Masonic fraternity. 

D. A. NORTHOVER, 

section 13, post office Hopkins, was born on the Island of Jersey, (one of 
the channel islands), on the coast of England, December 6, 1843, a »d 
was reared at his birthplace, receiving a common school education. In 
1867 he crossed the ocean and landed at Quebec, first settling in the 
Province of Ontario, Canada, where he remained until May, 1870, when 
he came to St. Joseph, Missouri. From there he went to Barnard, Nod- 
away County, where he made his home for nine months, working on the 
railroad. In December, 1870, he came to Hopkins, and has continued 
the railroad business since. In 1874 he purchased his farm and moved 
his family thereon. It is situated one mile south of town, and contains 
160 acres of fine land, being well watered and having a large quantity of 
timber upon it. Mr. N. has about sixty-five acres of land under cultiva- 
tion, a handsome residence and an excellent barn. He now holds the 
position of section foreman on the section south of Hopkins, and attends 
very closely to the duties of his position. Mr. N. is a member of the A. 
O. U. W., of Hopkins. He was married to Miss Anna McCrea. She was 
born in the Province of Ontario, Canada, in 1839. They have three chil- 
dren : Alice, Edward and Charles. The}- worship with the Presbyterian 
denomination. 

JOHN WARREN OLMSTEAD, 

stock dealer, was born in Branch Count)-, Michigan, November 26, 1835. 
When nine years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where 
the)- resided for nine months, and then moved to Putnam County, Indi- 
ana, remaining three years. Emigrating west, they settled in Decatur 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 625 

County, Iowa, where John made his home until September, 1856, when 
he moved to Mills County, Iowa. Nine years afterwards he located in 
Dallas County, Iowa, and remained there for seven years, thence coming 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring of 1872. He purchased a 
farm in- section 35, Atchison Township, upon which he settled, contain- 
ing 160 acres, of fine land, moderately improved, well watered, and 
adapted to stock raising. He also owns two blocks in Hopkins, one lot 
lying on Third Street, the rest is residence property, on which he has 
three residences. Mr. O. has filled the office of town collector for some 
time with credit to himself and his constituents. He was married June 
22, 1856, to Miss Angeline Runkles. She was born in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, June 18, 1836, but was principally raised in Mercer County of that 
state. In September, 1877, Mrs. Olmstead commenced the millinery and 
dress making business at her residence in Hopkins. In September, 1880, 
she rented a building on Third Street and moved her stock there, and in 
the fall of 1 88 1 erected a neat building on the same street. She keeps a 
full assortment in this line, and has the patronage of a large circle of 
acquaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead moved to Hopkins in November, 
1875, and Mr. O. engaged in the mercantile business, following it for 
some three years. His health being poor he partially retired from active 
business life, although he deals in stock to some extent. 

MERRILL OTIS. 

Among the oldest and most respected citizens of Nodaway County 
may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who was born in Tusca- 
rawas County, Ohio, April 1, 1825. He was reared at his birthplace, 
spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving his education in the 
schools of the neighborhood. Upon arriving at maturity he turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits, and has devoted himself to this 
branch of business through life. Moving westward to Missouri in 1858, 
he settled in Nodaway County, near Xehia. The county was then 
almost a wilderness, and the task of making a home and improving a 
farm was not an easy one. Mr. Otis purchased a tract of 800 acres of 
land, and commenced its cultivation. From that time until the present 
he has been identified with the growth and prosperity of Nodaway 
County, and it is to such energetic citizens as he that this county is 
indebted for the position she occupies as one of the foremost in the 
state. Mr. O. has divided his land among his children, and has but 
forty acres at present. This land is well improved, and upon it is a good 
orchard. He takes quite an interest in educational matters, and has 
several times filled the position of school director. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 185 1 to Miss Tamer Myers, 
who was born and raised in the same place as himself. She died on the 

40 



626 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

19th of August, 1877, leaving seven children : Reason, Sarah A. (now 
Mrs. Oliver Rumzy), George W., Edward, Jasper N., Absalom, and 
Mary F. 

GEORGE W. PISTOLE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Hopkins, was born in 
DeKalb County, Tennessee, April 24, 1837, and accompanied his parents 
to Missouri in the fall of 1842, first settling below St. Joseph. There 
they remained that winter, and in April, 1843, came to Nodaway County, 
which was then called Andrew County. The country, a vast wilderness, 
was inhabited by roving bands of Indians and wild animals, and many 
were the trials and hardships experienced by these hardy sons of toil. 
George remembers of accompanying his father to St. Joseph for sup- 
plies and on milling expeditions, and of having to pay ten cents per 
bushel for grinding, besides the toll, and of being seven days on the trip. 
Savannah was their nearest post office. He also relates a story of 
immigrants taking their wagons to pieces and ferrying them across the 
river in a dug-out. George received a primary education in the sub- 
scription schools of pioneer days. During the war he enlisted in Com- 
pany K, Ninth Missouri Cavalry, in the fall of 1862, and served two 
years, when he was discharged on account of disability. He returned 
to this county and remained here until the fall of 1875, when he moved 
to Olathe, Johnson County, Kansas, for the purpose of educating his 
children. He returned to this county in March, 188 1, and now owns a 
fine farm of 200 acres, well improved. Mr. Pistole held the position of 
tax collector in 1872, being the first one for the township. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and formerly belonged to Xenia Lodge, 
but now holds his membership at Olathe, Kansas. He was married in 
1858 to Miss Cynthia Wyatt, a native of Tennessee. By this union they 
have four children : Sarah L., Tilatha A., George E. and Nellie J. The 
three eldest are at present in Olathe, Kansas. Mr. P. and his wife are 
members of the' Christian Church. 

T. W. PORTER, 

postmaster, was born June 22, 1843, in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, 
Michigan, and spent his boyhood days on a farm in that vicinity. After 
receiving a preparatory education in the common schools, he attended 
the State Normal. After arriving at maturity, he first engaged his 
attention to farming, for some five years. In 1865, he immigrated west, 
and spent two years in freighting in the Rocky Mountains. He then 
located in Bates County, Missouri, where he again engaged in farming, 
and, in 1868, he returned to his old home, in Michigan, residing there 
until April, 1870. He then came west, and settled near Xenia, Noda- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 627 

way County, Missouri, and resumed his agricultural pursuits. Mr. P. 
came to Hopkins with the first settlement of the place, and assisted in 
building Donlin Brothers' store, the first business house erected in the 
place, and, during the process of erection he had to go to Xenia, six 
miles distant, to obtain board and lodging. In April, 1871, he opened 
a drug store, which was the second store of any consequence here. 
This store he continued to conduct until 1878. Mr. Porter received the 
appointment of postmaster of Hopkins, April 2, 1873, and has since 
continued to fill this position. The length of time during which he has 
held the office is ample evidence of the satisfaction he has given to all 
parties interested. In 1877, he moved into his present quarters. He 
owns two store buildings and property, also half a block of residence 
property, with two residences. The one in which he resided is one of 
the finest in town, and an ornament to the place. Mr. P. is a member 
of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., in^vhich he holds the office of 
treasurer. He held the position of secretary for several years. He was 
married on New Years day, 1872, to Miss Dallas S. Johnston, a native of 
Maryland. 

JOSEPH F. RANDOLPH & CO., 

undertakers, and dealers in furniture and hardware, and manufacturers of 
tinware. Joseph F. Randolph was born July 22, 1843, in Delaware 
County, Ohio. His parents died while he was young, and he was 
adopted by a merchant, and literally raised to the mercantile business. 
He received an education in the schools of that place. His foster father 
died when Joseph was thirteen years old, and he was thrown upon his 
own resources. He first gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until 
the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Eigthy-seventh 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry in September, 1862, and on the 12th of Novem- 
ber, of the same year, was transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years, being mus- 
tered out November 21, 1865, after having taken part in the battles of 
Spring Hill, first battle of Franklin, Chickamagua, and many others. He 
was wounded at the last named battle, September 20, 1863, and remained 
in the hospital until March 24, 1864, when he recovered and was trans- 
ferred to the Forty-third Regiment, Second Battalion, V. R. C, and was 
then attached to the Camp Denison Band. In April, 1865, the company 
was disbanded, and he accepted the position of descriptive roll clerk at the 
hospital headquarters at Camp Denison. He was discharged from ser- 
vice November 21, 1865, as above stated. Returning to his former home 
in Ohio, he started a general merchandise store at West Liberty, and 
six months later sold out and moved to Wyandot County, Ohio. After 
he had attained the age of twenty-four years he attended school one 
year at Audubon University. He was engaged in teaching during the 



628 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

winter of 1868, and then came west and settled in Maryville in the fall 
of 1869. Here he was employed in teaching- during the winter, and in 
the following spring purchased forty acres of land in the Holt district. 
On this he settled in July, 1870, and remained there until April, 1872, 
when he rented his farm and entered the employ of J. E. Hudson & Co., 
of Maryville. Some eight months later he purchased the hardware 
store of Lindell & Dobbs, of Hopkins, and commenced business on his 
own account. On the 25th of September, 1876, he became associated 
with Goodsill Bros., and they erected a substantial brick building dur- 
ing the summer of 1876, twenty-two by eighty feet, two stories high, 
which they have filled with a complete stock in their line. Mr. R. is 
genial and kind in manners, and has the respect of a large circle of 
friends. He is a member of Lodge No. 333, of the I. O. O. F., of Hop- 
kins, of which he is one of the charter members. He is also a member 
of the Good Templars' Lodge, of this place, in which he has lately been 
elected Worthy Chief Templar. He was married September 2, 1869, to 
Miss Mary E. Little, a native of Wyandot County, Ohio. She was 
born March 5, 1845. They have adopted a boy, now seven years of age, 
Harry Lewis. They attend the Presbyterian Church of Hopkins, and 
are liberal contributors thereto. 

A. J. REED, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Sharpsburg, Bath County, Kentucky, April 18, 1833, and with his parents 
moved to Menard County, Illinois, in the fall of 1833. There he was 
raised to manhood, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving 
his education in the old log school houses of pioneer days. When six- 
teen years of age he commenced life on his own account, first engaging 
to work with a farmer for $10 per month during the summer seasons. 
He attended school during the winter. In 185 1 he formed a partnership 
with his brother, they purchasing a piece of unbroken prairie land, which 
they commenced to improve. In 1863 A. J. sold out his interest in the 
farm and purchased one of his own in the same neighborhood in which 
he resided until he decided to move west in 1879. He again disposed of 
his property, and on the 16th of September, 1879, packed his household 
goods and started for Nodaway County, Missouri, by the overland route, 
arriving at Maryville October 1 6th of that year. There he remained for 
four months, and then settled on the farm which he now occupies, it con- 
taining 240 acres of well improved land, with a neat and comfortable 
residence', etc. Mr. R. is largely interested in the raising of both hogs 
and cattle, and is an industrious citizen lie is a member of Myrtle 
Lodge, No. 470, I. O. (). F., of Middletown, Logan County, Illinois, of 
which he was one of tin- charter members. Mr. Reed was marrie 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 629 

November 12, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Shenneman. She was born in 
Wayne County, Ohio, October 7, 1838. They have had five children : 
Charlie L., Laura J., William I., Frank C. and Lulu A. Mr. Reed, his 
wife and two eldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

DANA A. SARGENT, 

physician and surgeon, Hopkins, is prominent among the successful 
practitioners of Nodaway County. He was born in Ontario, La Grange 
County, Indiana, May 18, 1854, and in 1859, accompanied his parents to 
Montgomery County, Illinois. There he resided three years, when he 
moved to Morgan, Ashtabula County, Ohio, remaining there one winter. 
Thence to Warren County, Illlinois, and after one year he went to 
Boonesboro, Boone County, Iowa, remaining there some three years. 
Mr. S. then came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the fall of 1866, and 
settled at Xenia. His father was a doctor, and Dana after receiving a 
preparatory education in the common schools and studying under his 
father, took his first course of lectures at the Keokuk College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, entering in October, 1877, an d 
graduating from that institution June 18, 1878. Dr. S. then returned to 
Nodaway County, and commenced the practice of his profession, coming 
to Hopkins June 2, 1880. Here he continued his practice, and at present 
has a large and lucrative business. To the most thorough qualifications 
as a physician, he adds promptness and politeness in attention to calls. 
He makes a specialty of surgery, and has met with excellent success. 
He is a member of Xenia Lodge,. No. 50, A. F. and A. M., and also of 
the I. O. O. F. of Hopkins. During the summer of 1880, he was appointed 
city physician of Hopkins, which position he still holds. Dr. Sargent 
was married October 23, 1 881, to Miss Carrie E. Wallace. She was born 
in Nodaway County, Missouri, October 24, i860. 

REV. R. M. SIMMONS, 

section 7, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Madsion County, Illinois, where he was born, November 7, 1819. At an 
early age the family removed to Warren County, where R. M. passed 
the greater part of his life. When starting in life, he chose as his call- 
ing the ministry, and, after a due course of study, was ordained in 
1 861, in the Baptist faith. He has preached the word of God for the 
past twenty years. In 1875, he emigrated to this state, and settled in 
this county, where he has since resided. In 1876, he moved to his pres- 
ent place, where he owns 200 acres of land, that will compare favorably 
with any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Sim- 
mons was married October 5, 1845, to Miss Diana W. Stice. They have 



630 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

from this marriage twelve children: Azelia C, Julius C, Mary E., Sarah 
M., Jane C, Clara E. (deceased), Roland M., Francis T., Phebe E., 
Andrew W. (deceased), George F. and Grace. Doctor S. is president of 
the Board of Education of Hopkins Independent School District, and 
has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the advance- 
ment and progress of the moral and educational interests of this county. 

BENJAMIN SLAUGHTER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 24, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Parke County, Indiana, November 15, 1834, and was taken to Peoria 
County, Illinois, by his parents in 1836. There he was principally 
raised, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits 
of a common school education. In the spring of 1856 he accompanied 
the family to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled where he now 
resides. The country abounded in game, and Ben. being a good shot 
and fond of hunting, had his full share of that sport. Maryville was his 
nearest post office, and Russell's Mills, on the Nodaway River (now 
Quitman), was his milling point. Mr. S. made a trip to Pike's Peak in 
r859, and spent eighteen months in the mountains prospecting, etc., 
and then returned to this county. During the war he served in the 
Enrolled Missouri Militia. In 1876 he went to Deadwood, MontanaTer- 
ritory, and remained there some four months ; he also took a trip to 
Denver City in the fall of 1880. He has filled the position of school 
director several terms, and constable of Union Township (before Hop- 
kins Township was cut off) for two years. Mr. S. owns a fine farm of 
240 acres, which is one of the finest for stock purposes in the cuunty, 
being well watered and sheltered by timber. 

HIRAM SLANKER, 

proprietor of meat market, was born July 31, 1833, in Hagerstown, Wash- 
ington County, Maryland, and in 1836, with his parents moved to Mont- 
gomery County, Ohio, and there Hiram was brought up on the farm, 
receiving an education in the schools of the neighborhood. After arriv- 
ing at maturity he followed farming, making turnpikes and threshing. 
In 1868, he had the misfortune to lose his left leg, while following the 
latter named business, and in 1869, he came west, settling in Bates 
County, Missouri. There he was engaged as a cook for about one year, 
when he commenced selling fruit trees. Three months later he went to 
Parkville, Platte County, Missouri, and was employed by a Mr. Bender 
in an eating house, and afterwards accompanied him to Hopkins when 
the town was in its infancy. Here he assisted him in the hotel business, 
and after three years,, became a partner in the hotel and also in the liv- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 63 1 

ery business. This they continued for one year, when Mr. S. engaged in 
the butcher business with Mr. Bush. In February, 1880, he purchased 
his partner's interest, and now keeps the only shop in town, receiving a 
liberal patronage. Though having met with many reverses in life, Mr. 
Slanker has steadily worked his own way, and has built up a good 
business. 

JACOB SPEIDEL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, post office' Hopkins. Prominent 
among the oldest settlers and successful men, who have been closely 
identified with the farming and stock raising interests of this county, 
from an early date, is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of 
Germany, and was born in Bolingan, December 10, 1827. He was there 
raised, and learned the trade of tanning. In 1848, he was banished to 
Switzerland, owing to having taken a prominent part in the revolution 
of that date. There he remained till 1852, when he immigrated to 
America, settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in work- 
ing at his trade at Shafer & Anderson's tannery, in August, 1853. He 
then removed to Ohio, following his chosen occupation there, till 1855, 
when he removed to Iowa, and, after a short residence there of three 
months, he came to this state and county, locating where he now resides. 
He has 307 acres of land, 180 of which are under cultivation. Mr. Speidel 
was married, in 1852, to Miss Annie Lamport, a lady in every way 
worthy of him. They had from that union four children, two of whom 
are now living : Annie M. and Sophia O. Mrs. S.'s death occurred 
October n, 1872. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. S. enlisted in 
Company G, Fourth Missouri State Militia, and served three years and 
two months, participating in the battles of Neosia, Turkey Creek, Jef- 
ferson City, and others. He and his family are members of the M. E. 
Church, and are among its staunch supporters. 

JOHN A. STEWART, 

dealer in harness, saddles, carriage trimmings and saddlery hardware, 
was born February 13, 1836, in Genessee County, New York, and when 
six years of age his parents moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin, 
where he was principally raised. His boyhood days were spent on a 
farm, and after attending the common schools, he entered Milton College 
and completed his education. On the first of August, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company E, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, and served until 
October, 1865, taking part in the battles of Fort Pemberton on the Yazoo 
River ; Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas ; capture of Mobile, Alabama, 
and several minor engagements. His brigade was never known to 
retreat a step, but always swept things before them. They marched to 



632 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

the relief of General Steel on his retreat from Little Rock, and after the 
capture of Mobile went up the Alabama River a few hundred miles and 
captured twenty-four transports and gunboats. They were then sent to 
Matamoras to watch the Maximilian interest. Mr. S. started out as a 
corporal and was promoted to sergeant. During the latter part of 1863, 
and the first of 1864, he had charge of the military prison at Pine Bluffs 
for twelve months. At the close of the»war he returned to Wisconsin 
and remained there until 187 1 , when he came to Missouri and settled in 
Hopkins, in June of the same year. Mr. S. first engaged in the grocery 
and furniture business, and one year later discontinued this and pur- 
chased his present harness shop and stock of goods, and has continued 
the business since with marked success. He now carries a large assort- 
ment, one of the heaviest in this line in town. His trade extends to 
other states, and he has shipped several sets of harness to Kansas, Col- 
orado, Iowa and Wisconsin. He has filled the position of mayor of 
Hopkins one year, justice of the peace for three years, and notary public 
four years. He was one of the charter members of the A. O. U. W. 
of Hopkins, and fills the office of past master workman in the lodge. 
Mr. Stewart was married November 8, 1866, to Miss Clara F. Jones, a 
native of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. She was born in October, 1839. 
They have lost three children. Mr. S. and his wife are active members 
of the Presbyterian Church of Hopkins. 

A. V. STEWART, 

wagon andcarriage-maker, was born in Scott County, Indiana, May 11, 
1844. He was taken to Warren County, Illinois, by his parents when 
quite young, and remained there some five years, when he emigrated to 
Story County, Iowa, in 1855, and from there to Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, in the spring of 1857. I' 1 i860 he went to Clarke County, Iowa. 
His youth was passed on a farm, and he received the benefits of a com- 
mon school education. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 
Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and served three years, taking part in the 
battles of Parker's Cross Roads and Snake Creek, in North Carolina ; 
Town Creek, Alabama ; Kingston, North Carolina, and several minor 
engagements. When peace was declared he returned to Clarke County, 
Iowa, and worked one year at the carpenter's trade. He then com- 
menced to learn the wagon and carriage-makers' trade. Coming to 
Hopkins in April, 1875, he started a wagon-shop, and his is the only 
one in town. Being an excellent workman, he has all the work that he 
can execute, and he devotes his attention strictly to his business. Mr. 
S. is an active Christian worker and a member of the Christian Church. 
He was married in September, 1872, to Miss Mar)- J. Hickman, a native 
of Darke County, Ohio. She was born in September, 1842. On the nth 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 633 

of June, 188 1 , she died, leaving five children, four of whom are living: 
Alice, Perry, Fred, and Stella. Mr. Stewart's father, P. V. Stewart, 
resides with him. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, July 30, 
1 8 1 1 , and when seventeen years of age accompanied his parents to 
Henry County, Indiana, where they resided some five years. Thence to 
Edgar County, Illinois, and thence to Warren County, of the same state. 
From there he went to Story County, Iowa, and then to Harrison 
County, Missourri, where he remained until his removal to Clarke 
County, Iowa. In April, 1875, he came to Hopkins. He has given his 
attention to agricultural pursuits through life, though at present he has 
retired from active life. He was married in 1838 to Lucinda Vanmetcr, 
who died in September, 1875. He has three children living, lost one: 
Luther, Charlotte, (now Mrs. Charles C. Black), and Absalom V. He 
and all his family are active members of the Christian Church. 

JOSIAH STRAIN, 

mayor of Hcpkins, was born May 5, 18 14, in Bedford County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and when fourteen years of age he immigrated to Parke County, 
Indiana, where he remained until 1865. He was raised on a farm, receiv- 
ing a common school edecation, and at the age of eighteen years he 
commenced to learn the tanners' trade, devoting some three or four 
years to it, though he has made agricultural pursuits his principal occu- 
pation through life. He moved to Peoria County, 111., in 1865, then came 
to Hopkins, Missouri, in March, 1875. Here he engaged in the grocery 
business, and continued therein one year, when he disposed of it. He 
was elected mayor of Hopkins in August, 1880, for a two years term, and 
has since continued to acceptably fill this position. Mr. S. owns some town 
property in Hopkins, and also some in Lenox, Iowa. He was married 
in April, 1846, to Miss Ann Marter, a native of Rockbridge County, Vir- 
ginia. She was born December 13, 1821, and died July 1, 1876, leaving 
five children living : Minerva (now Mrs. W. R. Harlan, of Lenox, Iowa), 
James, Robert, Maggie (now Mrs. R. H. Wilfley, of Hopkins), and Susy. 
One is deceased. Mr. S. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of 
Hopkins, of which he holds the position of elder. 

SAMUEL STRINGER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Marshall County, Illinois, April 7, 1853. He was reared at his birth- 
place, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving an education 
in the schools of the neighborhood. In the spring of 1869 he accom- 
panied his parents to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the year 1878 he attended 



634 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

school at College Springs, Page County, Iowa. He owns a fine farm of 
120 acres, which is watered by never-failing springs, making it one of the 
best stock farms in the county. He has a handsome residence, one of 
the best in the township, and is rapidly improving his land. Mr. S. was 
married to Miss Lucinda Jones, a native of Nodaway County, Missouri. 
She was born August 16, 1862. 

GEORGE W. STURGEON, Sk., 

farmer and stock raiser, section 18, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Barren County, Kentucky, within fourteen miles of the famous Mammoth 
Cave, on the 30th of June, 18 18. He was taken to Owen County, Indi- 
ana, by his parents when five years of age, and was reared in that 
and Morgan County, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiv- 
ing an education in the subscription schools. In September, 1834, when 
tfifteen years of age, he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at 
Gosport, Owen County, Indiana, and followed it for twenty-one years, 
working one year in Indianapolis, during 1835. In 1841, he moved to 
Hendricks County, Indiana, and remained there one year. Mr. S. emi- 
grated west in September, 1855, and spent that winter in Iowa, coming 
to Nodaway County in the spring of 1856. He settled where he now 
resides, the country then being sparsely settled, and endured many pri- 
vations. He built a cabin and broke a piece of land, which he commenced 
to improve. Savannah, Andrew County, was their nearest supply point 
for some three years. There were no roads, and the settlers drove over 
the country where they pleased, always carrying an ax along to make a 
pathway if necessary. Mr. S. entered 640 acres of fine land, which he 
has since divided with his children, now owning 220 acres. This is well 
improved, with an excellent orchard and a young vineyard. It is an 
excellent stock farm. He cast his first vote in the county at Xenia. He 
has filled the office of justice of the peace some twelve years. During 
the war he received the first appointment as registering officer for Union 
Township, and filled the position two years. He also served in the 
Enrolled Missouri Militia during the war although he was over age ; his 
■eldest son also served three years. Being an old settler, Mr. S. is widely 
and favorably known. He was married May 17, 1838, to Miss Margaret 
Evans. She was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, April 26, 18 17. 
They have had eight children, six of whom are living: Mary J. (widow 
of J. N. Balsby ; she is living with her father) ; Lucina (now Mrs. John 
Bates, of Harrison County, Missouri); Martha E. (now Mrs. Richard 
Christal, at Excelsior Springs, Clay County, Missouri); Marion, John M. 
.and George \Y. Mr. Sturgeon and wife have been active members of 
the regular Baptist Church for about forty years. He holds the position 
■of deacon of the Hopkins Church. 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 635 

JEPTHA STURGEON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Morgan County, Indiana, July 28, 1835. He spent his boyhood days on 
a farm, and received the benefits of a common school education. Upon 
arriving at maturity he commenced farming, and has followed that occu- 
pation through life. During the late war, he enlisted in Company A, 
Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, August 10, 1861, and was mustered out 
of service July 21, 1865. He took part in the battle of Chickamauga, 
and participated in the Atlanta campaign ; also accompanied General 
Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and around to Washington, 
where he took part in the grand review. At the close of the war he 
returned to his old home, in Indiana, and, in the fall of 1865, took a trip 
west, and purchased the land on which he now resides. In March, 
1869, he settled permanently thereon. He owns 160 acres of land, most 
of which is under cultivation. Mr. S. is largely interested in stock rais- 
ing, although his capital, when commencing in life, were his willing 
hands and brave heart, and, by being honest and industrious, he has 
succeeded far beyond his most sanguine expectations. He was married 
in August, 1858, to Miss Jane Summit, a native of Monroe County, Indi- 
ana. She was born April 10th, 1838, and died on the 2d of January, 
1875, leaving five children : Jeremiah D., Jeptha D., Mary F., James O. 
and Lucy J. Mr. S. is an active member of the Missionary Baptist 
Church, of Hopkins. 

JOHN STURGEON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Morgan County, Indiana, August 17, 185 1, and in the spring of 1856 
accompanied his parents to Nodaway County, Missouri. Here John was 
raised to the scenes and incidents of pioneer life, assisting his father in 
the cultivation of the farm. He received his education partly in the 
neighborhood schools, to which he had to walk four miles and a-half, but 
mostly by self-application. He has given his attention to agricultural 
pursuits through life, and now owns 120 acres of fine land, eighty of which 
are under cultivation, the remainder being timber and pasture lands. 
His farm is well stocked. Mr. S. is the fortunate possessor of numerous 
acquaintances and is favorably known by all. He takes a deep interest 
in educational matters, and at present fills the office of school director. 
He was married August 26, 1873, to Miss Susan Pool, who was born in 
Jennings County, Indiana, in 1853. They have had three children : 
Ervin, born November 7, 1874; Minnie, born July 29, 1877; and Eddie, 
born February 27, 1881. Mr. S. and his wife are among the original 
members of the First Baptist Church of Hopkins, in which Mr. S. holds 
the position of church clerk. He has been a member of this denomina- 



636 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

tii »ii since he was thirteen years of age. He is also an active temperance 
worker, and is not addicted to the use of profane language. Every good 
cause receives his hearty support. 

W. H. SUTHERLAND, 

is of the firm of Sutherland & Co., proprietors of the Hopkins House. 
Hank, as he is familiarly called, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, May 20, 
1848. He was reared at his birthplace and received his education in the 
schools of that city. Upon arriving at maturity he immigrated to Cal- 
ifornia in the spring of 1871, spending three years on the coast, and trav- 
eling from Los Angeles, California, to Washington Territory, he obtained 
a thorough knowledge of the country and customs of the people. He 
then returned to Iowa, and afterwards took a trip through Kansas and 
Southern Missouri, thence to St. Joseph, and from there to Hopkins, 
where he located in the fall of 1874. Mr. S. first engaged in the drug 
business, but subsequently sold out and commenced the hardware busi- 
ness, which he disposed of for the purpose of engaging in the agricul- 
tural implement trade. He then resumed the hardware business, 
and on the 20th of March, 1878, became associated with Mr. Ben- 
der in the hotel business. He owns two fine farms, one near Albany, 
Gentry County, Missouri, containing 160 acres of well improved land, and 
the other situated near Hopkins, Nodaway County. This embraces 120 
acres, also well improved. Mr. S. has filled the position- of town coun- 
cilman in Hopkins for one year. He is a member of Lodge No. 333 I. 
O. O. F., of Hopkins, and has filled the most important offices in the 
lodge. He was married January 1, 1878, to Miss Alluia Bender. She 
was born in Bloomington, Illinois, July 22, 1852, but was taken to St. 
Joseph, Missouri, when six years of age. There she was principally 
raised and educated. They have had two children, one of whom is liv- 
ing, Cliff. 

C. W. TAYLOR, 

cashier of the Bank of Hopkins, was born August 14, 1858, in Pike 
County, Illinois. The family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, when 
Charles was quite young, and when eight years of age he accompanied 
his parents west to Wataga, Illinois. Two years later they moved to 
Taylor County, Iowa, where they resided some nine years. During two 
years of this time Mr. Taylor made his home in Bedford. Being some- 
what frail in his younger days he could not attend school, and his edu- 
cation was derived principally by self application, though he did attend 
the high school and normal, at Bedford. When nineteen years of age 
he commenced teaching, and afterwards accepted the position of deputy 
county clerk of Taylor County, Iowa. This office he held before becom- 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 637 

ing of age. He continued to occupy it two years satisfactorily to all 
parties interested. In April, 1879, he made his first visit to Hopkins, 
and upon returning to Bedford accepted the position of assistant cashier 
in the Citizens Bank of that place. In January, 1880, he entered upon 
the duties of his present position as cashier of the Bank of Hopkins, 
which he fills- with credit to himself and to his employers. In the dis- 
charge of his duties he uses scrupulous care and fidelity, and well merits 
the esteem in which he is held by a host of friends. Mr. Taylor was 
married December 24, 1880, to Miss Susy E. Seaman, a native of Evans- 
ville, Wisconsin. She was born November 8, 1859, hut was principally 
reared in Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, receiving her education 
in the schools of that city. Mr. and Mrs. T. attend the Presbyterian 
Church. 

RICHARD TERRELL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Orange County, Virginia, April 15, 1831. When he was two years of 
age his parents moved to Marshall County, Alabama, where he passed 
his boyhood days on a farm, receiving the benefits of a common school 
education. He accompanied his parents to Peoria County, Illinois, in 
the spring of 1848, arriving there on his birthday, April 15. In the 
spring of 1852 he emigrated to California and spent some two years on 
the coast, engaged in mining. He then returned home by way of the 
Isthmus and New York City, and soon went to Marshall County, Illinois, 
where he occupied his time in farming. In 1856 he took atrip through 
Southern Iowa and Northern Missouri, and entered a piece of land in 
Taylor County, Iowa. Then returned again to Illinois. He purchased 
his present farm in 1878, and in December, 1880, he moved west and 
settled in Hopkins. In the fall of 1881 he moved to his farm, which con- 
tains 240 acres of well improved land, and well watered by never-failing 
springs. He has one of the best orchards in the state, containing large 
varieties of all kinds of fruit. Mr. T. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 
50, A. F. and A. M., and also of Lodge No. 333, of the I. O. O. F., of 
Hopkins. He was married June 7, 1855, to Miss Phcebe A. Hatfield, a 
native of Parke County, Indiana. She was born February 20, 1839. 
They have had eight children six of whom are living : Charles, Melissa 
(now Mrs. William Grady), Leona (now Mrs. Edward Tory), Nettie, 
Nora M., and Francis M. 

JOHN THOMPSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Indiana, and was born November 7. 1829. He 
was there raised to manhood, following agricultural pursuits till 1873, 



638 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

when he emigrated to Missouri and settled in Andrew County. After 
one year he removed to this county and located where he now resides. 
He has 95 acres of good average land, 80 of which are under cultivation. 
He has a nice residence on his place, and his improvements generally 
are among the best. Mr. Thompson was married November 6, 1852, to 
Miss Rebecca Hazzlett, a native of Indiana. They have five children : 
Charles C, George Y. A., James C, Jennie C. and William L. Mr. T. 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He also belongs to the M. E. 
Church. 

WILLIAM H. THOMPSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Hopkins, was born »in 
Fulton County, Illinois, December 13, 1834, and accompanied his parents 
to Andrew County, Missouri, when twelve years of. age. He remained 
there two years, then came to Nodaway County, and has here resided 
since, except during the year 1849, which he spent in Taylor County, 
Iowa. He received a good business education, mostly by studying even- 
ings, and at the age of nineteen he commenced to learn the milling busi- 
ness, becoming thoroughly conversant with grinding, sawing and engi- 
neering. After working for about three years at the business, he turned 
his attention to agricultural pursuits. He purchased his present farm in 
1859, on which he settled in the spring of 1861. He owns 240 acres of 
well improved land, and has excellent facilities for raising stock, in 
which he is largely interested, part of his stock being graded. During 
the late war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia at different times 
for about four years, and was frequently called away from home, taking 
part in many skirmishes and minor battles. During the last enlistment 
he held the position of lieutenant. Mr. T. has filled the position of school 
director for some eight years, and was appointed census enumerator in 
the summer of 1880. In his manners he is genial and hospitable and 
every good cause receives his support. He was married November 18, 
i860, to Miss Sally DeWitt, who was born in Mercer County, Illinois, in 
1 841. They have a family of five children : John W., George W., Sarah 
E. A., Mary A. and Charles A. Mr. Thompson is a member of Xenia 
Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M. 

GEORGE M. ULMER, 

fanner and stock raiser, section 15, post office Hopkins, was born in Scott 
County, Indiana, January 7, 1841, and accompanied his parents to Clark 
County, Illinois, when twelve years of age, where he was raised on a 
farm, attending the schools of the neighborhood. His father purchased 
a saw-mill when George was about fifteen years of age, in which the lat- 
ter worked for about three years, obtaining a fair insight in the milling 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 639 

business. In 1859 he came to Missouri, settling in Union Township^ 
Nodaway County, and commenced improving a farm, here first experi- 
encing pioneer life. In 1861 he went to Clarinda, Iowa, and entered 
school. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia,, 
holding the position of .orderly at first and afterwards receiving a lieu- 
tenant's commission. In 1862 he made a trip to Illinois, was there mar- 
ried, and then returned to this county in 1863. Here he has since 
remained. He was first engaged in teaching, and also in the book busi- 
ness for about two years, after which he turned his attention to farming. 
He now owns 450 acres of finely improved land, well watered, and is 
largely interested in stock raising, though he had but thirty dollars in 
his pocket when he landed in this county on his return from Illinois, 
He has filled most of the township offices. Mr. U. has been twice mar- 
ried : first, on the 12th of March, 1863, to Miss Judith A. Murphey, who 
died October 25, 1875, leaving six children : Otho, Thomas, Joseph, 
James, Charlie and Sadie. He was married again, May 25, 1876. to Mrs. 
L. J. McGinnis, a native of Knox County, Ohio, born March 24, 1846. By 
this union they have one child, Frank. Mrs. McG. has two children by 
her first husband, Mary and Susy. 

A. WATSON 

is of the firm of Watson & Wray, dealers in agricultural implements* 
wagons and farm machinery, who are among the many enterprising 
business firms of this place. They carry a full and complete stock in 
their line, and being live business men, have secured a large and increas- 
ing patronage. A. Watson is a native of Bureau County, Illinois, and 
was born near Princeton April 6, 1841. He was reared on a farm, receiv- 
ing an education in the schools of the neighborhood. When about 
eighteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for seven years. During the war he enlisted at the 
first call for three months' volunteers, in company C, Twelfth Illinois 
Infantry, in April, 1861, under Captain Swain. After serving his time 
he reinlisted in company E, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, with which he 
remained one year when he was taken sick. He was discharged and 
sent home, and after about two years he entirely recovered. He came 
westward and settled in Maryville, Missouri, in the spring of 1865, 
where he engaged in working at his trade and dealing in the stock busi- 
ness. In 1870, he came to Hopkins, and has the honor of being the 
person to build the first dwelling house in the town. It was then known 
as Gladman's boarding house. Since that time Mr. W. has been inter- 
ested in the growth and prosperity of Hopkins. He commenced in the 
agricultural implements and hardware business in 1872, and carried it 
on three years. In 1875 he sold out the latter branch and gave his 



64O BIOGRAPHICAL. 

attention entirely to the sale of agricultural implements. In March, 
1880, he took as a partner S. K. Wray. Mr. Watson has filled most of 
the town offices to the satisfaction of all parties interested. He is a 
member of Xenia Lodge No. 50, A. F. and A. M., and also of the A. O. 
U. W. He has been three times married : first in the fall of 1864 to Miss 
Mary Tompkins, a native of Illinois, who died -in the winter of 1870, 
leaving a family — Charles A. and Lucy E. He was married again 
in 1874 to Miss Ureta Rice, a daughter of Judge Rice, of Worth County, 
Missouri. Her death occurred in 1875. In 1877 Mr. W. married for his 
third wife Mrs. Deborah Weaver, a native of Ohio. She has three chil- 
dren by her former husband — Sarah J., Mary E. and Deborah. Mr. and 
Mrs. Watson are active members of the M. E. Church of Hopkins, of 
which Mr. W. was one of the original members. He has a dwelling and 
other property in Hopkins, also a dwelling and property in Maryville. 

R. H. WILFLEY, 

city attorney, was born June 18, 1853, in Buchanan County, Missouri, 
where he remained until 1861, when he accompanied his parents to Page 
County, Iowa. There he resided some thirteen years, spending his 
time on a farm. He received a preparatory education in the common 
schools of the vicinity, and then attended Tabor College, of Fairmount, 
Iowa. In 1873, he emigrated to California, for the benefit of his health, 
and was engaged in teaching, one summer, at the famons Geyser Springs, 
Sonoma County, that state. The summers of 1873 and 1874 he spent 
on the coast, and then returned to Iowa. In the fall of 1875, he located 
at Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, there commencing the study 
of law with C. A. Anthony. After reading for six months he was 
admitted to the bar. In July, 1876, he located at Hopkins, and com- 
menced the practice of his profession. He was appointed city attorney 
in 1878, a position which he has since continued to fill. Mr. W. was 
married June 2, 1879. to Miss Maggie Strain, a daughter of the present 
mayor of Hopkins. She was born January 29, 1859, in Parke Count}', 
Indiana. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr Wilfley 
takes a deep interest in the building up and improving of the town, and 
has lately revised and published the city ordinances. 

E. C. WOLFERS, 

dealer in general merchandise, was born November 25, [848, near Dun- 
kirk, Chautauqua County, New York. He was reared at his birthplace, 
receiving his education in the schools of that vicinity. In [863 he com- 
menced railroading, and followed the business in his native state until 
[869, when In- removed west and continued the business here in the 



HOPKINS TOWNSHIP. 641 

•employ of the R. C, St. Jo. & C. B. R. R. In 1875 he abandoned the 
railroad calling and opened a general merchandise store at Hopkins. 
Commmencing with a small stock of goods, by honesty and fair dealing 
and good business management, he secured a patronage sufficient to 
enable him to increase his assortment from time to time. He now 
carries one of the heaviest stocks in town. He has a substantial brick- 
building twenty-two by eighty feet, two stories high, to which he is 
building an addition of the same size. This will give him a double 
■store. Mr. W. is a member of Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., 
and of Lodge No. 333, of the I. O. O. F. of Hopkins ; also, of the Good 
Templars of Hopkins, in which he holds the position of Worthy Chief. 
He is also a member of the town council. Mr. Wolfers was married in 
187 1 to Miss Sarah Peck, a native of Virginia. They have a family of 
four children: Alice G., Jessie M., Grace, and Nellie. 

B. WOOLDRIDGE, 

dealer in clothing, boots and shoes, is among the most substantial busi- 
ness men of Hopkins. He was born in Jamestown, Kentucky, October 
26, 1839, and accompanied his parents to Bloomfield, Iowa, when seven 
years of age. There he was principally brought up, spending his youth 
■on a farm, and receiving the benefits of a good education. In 1856 he 
•commenced teaching, and devoted about ten years to that occupation. 
In 1865 he settled at Unionville, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercan- 
tile business, and in 1869 he moved to Moulton, Iowa, and continued the 
business there until 1877. At that time he removed to Missouri, and 
•settled at Hopkins, embarking in his present business. He carries one 
of the largest stocks of clothing in this part of the county, and has a very 
large patronage. He is also much interested in buying and shipping 
•stock. Besides his business house here, he has a store in Grant City and 
•one in Lenox, Iowa. Commencing life with a limited amount of capital, 
by industry and integrity, Mr. Wooldridge has risen to his present envi- 
able position. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds his 
membership at Moulton, Iowa. He was married in 1869 to Miss M. E. 
Bailey, who was born near Knoxville, Tennessee. They have two chil- 
dren : Horace E. and Frederick E. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church of Hopkins. 

S. K. WRAY, 

of the firm of Watson & Wray, is one of the old and well known pio- 
neers of Nodaway County. He is a native of Gallia County, Ohio, and 
was born January 27, 1834. He was reared at his birthplace, spending 
ftiis boyhood days on a farm, and receiving a good business education. 
In the winter of 1853, he accompanied his parents to Iowa, and from 



642 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

there came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring of 1854. The 
county was then new, and, after passing through many hardships, Mr. W. 
commenced farming in the summer season, and teaching in the winter. 
During the late war he first enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in what 
was known as Kimball's six months' volunteers, and held the position of 
first lieutentant. He also served some eight months in the home guards, 
and held the position of captain of a company. In the fall of 1863, he 
was appointed recruiting officer, and, with the aid of Captain Martin, 
organized Company F, of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. He afterwards 
became adjutant of the regiment, and took part in many minor battles, 
and skirmishes. He was captured at the battle of Campbellsville, Tennes- 
see and remained a prisoner for but thirtysix hours, when he escaped, 
and, a month later, joined his regiment again, and served with them 
until the close of the war. He then returned to this county, and has 
since given his attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine 
farm of 160 acres, in Polk Township, which is well watered and improved 
In March, 1880, he came to Hopkins, purchased a half interest with Mr. 
Watson in his agricultural implement establishment ; also a half block 
of residence property. He has held the position of justice of the peace, 
and was at one time a member of the county court. He belongs tO' 
Xenia Lodge, No. 50, A. F. and A. M., also to the Good Templars. Mr. 
Wray was married April 30, 1859, to Miss Mar)- Carmean, a native of 
Macon County, Illinois, "although she was principally raised in Iowa. 
They have had seven children, six of whom are living : Rosa, Alice, 
Curtis, Bertha, Howard and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Wray are active 
members of the M. E. Church, of Hopkins. He fills the position of 
superintendent of the Sabbath School. 






INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 



JAMES ALLISON, 



farmer and stock raiser, section u, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Canada, and was born March 25, 1836. He was 
there raised to manhood and educated, being brought up in the occupa- 
tion which he now follows. In 1878, he emigrated to Michigan, where 
he resided about two years, and from there he went to Dakota Territory. 
After remaining seven years he moved to Crawford County, Iowa, 
where he remained one year, coming from there to this state. He set- 
tled in this county, and now has 374 acres of land that will compare 
favorably with any in the county, 160 acres of which are under cultiva- 
tion. He has a splendid residence upon his home place, and his improve- 
ments generally denote a successful and progressive farmer. Mr. Allison 
was married in 1855, to Miss Ann Cleave, a native of England. They 
have from this union eight children : George E., James M., John A., Wil- 
liam O., Emma E., Viola J., Annie M., and Milo T. They are members 
of the Baptist Church. 

JOHN W. AWALT, 

section 9, post office Pickering, is a native of Indiana, and was born in 
1844, and at the age of three years he emigrated with the family to 
Iowa, where they resided till John attained his sixteenth year. From 
there he came to Missouri and settled in this county, and in 1875 he 
located where he now resides. He has eighty acres of good average 
land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Await has been married 
three times; first, to Miss Caroline Coleman, in 1866. They had two 
children : Laura and James C. Mrs. Awalt's death occurred in 1871, 
and in 1877 Mr. A. was married to Miss Belle Harbison, who died dur- 
ing the same year. In 1879 ne was united in marriage to Miss Thursia 
Merrimaid. They have one child : Nellie. Mr. Await is a member of 
the Odd Fellow fraternity. During the late war he enlisted in Company 
E, Third Iowa Cavalry Regiment, and served nineteen months, dis- 
charging his duty faithfully. 

JOHN P. BENEDICT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 2, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Canada, where he was born August 6, 183 1. He 



644 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

there spent his youthful days, and in 1849 emigrated to Iowa, settling in 
Lee County. After a residence there of twenty years, he removed to 
Montgomery County, where he remained five years, after which time he 
emigrated to California. His health, however, would not permit him to 
remain but a short time, when he returned to the state of his adoption 
and settled in Jasper County. There he resided two years, and from 
there removed to this state, locating where he now resides. He has 120 
acres of land that will average with any in the county, all of which is 
under cultivation. Mr. Benedict was married February 4, 1854, to Miss 
Ann V. Hammer. They have two children : Alma B. and Zattie L. Mr. 
B. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

CHARLES BOYD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 27, post office Gaynor City. Among 
the successful young farmers of this county the subject of this sketch 
will bear more than a passing notice. He is a native of Knox County, 
Illinois, and was born July 21, 1856. He was there raised to manhood 
and educated, and when at the age of nineteen years he immigrated to 
Iowa, settling in Red Oak. There he remained one year, and in 1876 
he removed to this state, locating in this county, where he now has 160 
acres of land that will average with any in the county, all of which is 
under cultivation. Mr. Boyd was married February 13, 1881, to Miss 
America Rosacrants, a native of Indiana. She is a member of the 
Christian Church. 

NATHAN E. BRADBURY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Gaynor City, is a native of 
Illinois, and was born in 1856. When at the age of ten years he immi- 
grated with his father's family to Kansas, where they remained 
nine months. From there they moved to Iowa, and after a residence of 
four years in that state they came to Missouri and settled in Gentry 
County, where they made their home one year. Their next move was 
to DeKalb County, and after remaining for eight years they removed to 
this county. Here Nathan has since resided. He has eighty acres of 
good average land, seventy acres of which are under cultivation. Since 
their settlement here the family has made a specialty of raising broom 
corn, and the manufacture of molasses, manufacturing from 3,000 to 5,000 
gallons each year. 

O. E. BUGBEE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post office Hopkins, was born in New 
York, on February 1 1, 1825, and when at the age of seven years, he, with 
with his father's family, emigrated to Ohio, residing there till i860. He 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 645 

then removed to Warren County, Illinois, remaining for about fifteen 
years, after which time he immigrated to Missouri, and settled where he 
now resides. He has eighty acres of land that will average with any in 
the county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. B. is one of our most 
successful farmers, and a man whose judgment is sought for and adhered 
to on all subjects, especially pertaining to agriculture. Mr. Bugbee was 
married February 4, 1847, to Miss Sabra Brooks, a lady of genial habits 
and in every way worthy to be his helpmate. They have eight children : 
Angeline P., Estella P., Evander O., Caroline, Nellie E., Fred. L., Carl F. 
and Earl. They are members of the United Brethren Church. 

SIMEON BUTTS, 

section 36, post office Bedford, Iowa. Prominent among the successful 
and progressive farmers and stock raisers of this district may be men- 
tioned the subject of this sketch. He is a. native of Ohio, and was born 
September 30, 1843. When at the age of seven years, his father emi- 
grated to Illinois, where young Butts was raised to manhood, receiving 
the rudiments of the occupation in which he is now so proficient and 
successful. In 1870, he removed to Iowa, and settled in Taylor County, 
his residence being just across the Missouri line. Though a resident of 
Iowa, the larger portion of his farm lies within the border of Missouri, 
and hence he has been since his residence in that state closely identified 
with the agricultural interests of Nodaway County. He has in this state 
210 acres of as good land as there is in the county, all of which is 
improved. Mr. Butts was married February 1, 1865, to Miss Lucinda 
Andrews. They have five children : Charles, John E., Martha, Jessie 
M., and James A. 

DR. J. M. CADWALLADER, 

physician and surgeon, Gaynor City. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Virginia, and was born June I, 1851. While an infant he was 
removed by his parents to Pennsylvania, and when he was at the age of 
eight years the family removed to Ohio, where J. M. was raised. At the 
age of nineteen he began the study of his chosen profession, under the 
guidance of Drs. Ferguson and Hough, at Mogadore, Ohio, where he 
remained two years and a half, after which time he attended a course of 
lectures at the Cleveland Medical College, and after practicing his pro- 
fession for some time, he graduated at the St. Joseph College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons. When twenty-three old Dr. C. emigrated to Iowa, 
and began the practice of his profession in Doniphan, of that state, 
remaining there one year and a half. From there he removed to 
Buchanan, Taylor County, Iowa, where he practiced three years, and in 
1 88 1 came to Gaynor City, where he now resides. Although a new 



646 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

settler of that district, he has by his successful treatment of cases left 
in his charge, secured a large and increasing practice. He also owns a 
nice stock of drugs and medicines, and does a good business in that 
line, having the only drug store in that town. Dr. Cadwallader's reputa- 
tion as a true gentleman and scholar is of the best, and he is fast gain- 
ing a name as a physician to be envied by others of his profession. 
He was married January 22, 1874, to Miss Mary Pratt. They have two 
children living: Nellie A., and John Conda. 

C. A. CARRALL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post office Defiance, is an old settler 
of this county, and a man who has been closely identified with its agri- 
cultural interests from an early day. He is a native of Jackson County. 
Ohio, and was born October 8, 1845. When at the age of eleven years, 
with his father's family, he immigrated to Davis County, Iowa, where 
they resided eighteen months, and from there removed to this county, 
settling in this township. Here the subject of this sketch has since resided- 
He has 120 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the 
county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Carrall was married 
January 17, 1872, to Miss Laura A. Davidson. They have from this 
union five children : Josie T., Jessie S., Horace S., Bertram and Myrtle. 
During the war Mr. Carrall enlisted in the State Militia. He is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. 

H. CAUDLE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, post office Hopkins, is among the 
prominent and successful farmers and stock raisers of this county, who 
deserve more than a passing notice. He is a native of Jones County, 
Iowa, and was born April 23, 1846. When at the age of eleven years, he, 
with his father's family, immigrated to this state, settling in this county, 
where he has since resided. He moved on the place which he now occu- 
pies in 1876, and has 240 acres of choice land, all of it being under culti- 
vation. Mr. Caudle was married December 20, 1866, to Miss Albinia 
Keplinger. They have five children : Franklin, Jessie F., Estella ? 
Edward H. and Harry J. At the breaking out of the war Mr. C. enlisted 
in the Union cause in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, under Colonel Hull, 
and served three years. He was but sixteen years of age when he 
enlisted. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the 
M. E. Church. He has held the office of school director of his district. 

J. W. CHISHOLM, 

farmer, section 10, post office Hopkins. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Nova Scotia, and was born in 1853. He was there raised to 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 647 

manhood, and in 1875, immigrated to Illinois, settling in Henry County, 
where he resided three years. From there he moved to Rock Island, and 
after remaining but a short time, he went to Taylor County, Iowa, where 
he lived two years, coming from there to this state and county. In March, 
1 88 1, he moved on his present farm, where he has eighty acres of good 
land, all of which he successfully cultivates. Mr. Chisholm was married 
April 26, 1867, to Miss Ester McCollum. They have from this marriage 
four children .: Mary M., Elton W., Lucinda B., and Weaver. 

E. D. CLARK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 18, post office Hopkins. Among the old 
settlers of this district, the subject of this sketch will bear more than a 
passing notice. He is a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, and was 
born February 9, 1828. He was there raised to manhood, and at the 
age of twenty-six years he emigrated to Iowa, settling in Marion 
County, where he resided about two years. From there he moved to 
Daviess County, Missouri, and after remaining there five years, located 
in Harrison County. Three years later he came to this county and 
settled where he now resides. He has 112 acres of good average land, 
■eighty acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Clark was married in 
1826 to Miss Abbie J. Austin. They have from this union seven child- 
ren : William T., Mary E., Alexander, Sarah B., John P., James E., and 
Alice J. 

W. H. CLARK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 29, post office Gaynor City. Prominent 
among the farmers and stock raisers of this district stands the one whose 
name heads this sketch. He is a native of New Haven County, Connec- 
ticut, and was born February 17, 1831. He was there raised to manhood 
and secured the advantages of an education such as the schools of that 
vicinity afforded. He is by occupation a locomotive engineer, but of 
late years has followed the pursuits of farming. At the age of twenty- 
five years he immigrated to Iowa, remaining one year, when he went to 
Kansas, and after a residence there of six years removed to Nebraska. 
Four years afterwards he came to this state and settled in Nodaway 
County. In 1.870 he moved on the place where he now resides. He 
owns 230 acres of good land that will average with any in the county, 
150 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Clark was married August 
9, 1857, to Miss Judith M. North. They have six children: Amanda A., 
Carolina N., Sylvanus H., Mary M., Bertie O. and Nora N. Mr. Clark 
has been school director of his district for the past ten years. He and 
his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and are liberal 
contributors thereto. 



648 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

WILLIAM COWEN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, post office Bedford, Iowa, a promi- 
nent agriculturist of this district, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he 
was born October 27, 1836. He was there raised to manhood! and edu- 
cated, and when at the age of twenty years he emigrated to Cedar 
County, Iowa, were he remained two years. After this time he returned 
to his native state, where he followed the occupation of farming. In 
1873, ne removed to Missouri, and settled in this county, where he owns 
160 acres of land above che average, most of which is under cultivation. 
Mr. Cowen was married June 6, 1 861, to Miss Sarah A. Smith. They 
have from this marriage nine children: Manford, Laura J, r Sherman, 
Flora B., Melville, Newton, Charlie, Frank and Elsie M. 

WILLIAM T. CRENSHAW, 

section 1 1, post office Gaynor City. The subject of this sketch was boYrt 
in Kentucky, March 7, 1829, and while yet an infant, the family emi- 
grated to Tennessee, where he remained until about nine years old, when 
the family removed to this state. After remaining only six months, they 
took up their location in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, where they 
made their home for eighteen months. After that time William removed 
to Henderson County, and was engaged in farming till 1871., when he 
immigrated to Missouri and settled in this county, where he has- since 
continued to reside. He has 160 acres of good average land, 100 acres 
of which are under cultivation. Mr. Crenshaw was married' in March r 
1859, to Miss Sarah Jones. They have from this union eight children: 
Laura E.. Zephnia, Herschel L., Althia, Samuel J., Marinda F., Walter 
and Delphenia. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic aad Odd Fellows 
fraternities, and is also a member of the Grange. He is school director 
of his district, and has held the office of road commissioner. 

J. DAVIS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office- Gaynor City. Although 
not an old settler of this county, is nevertheless one of our representa- 
tive farmers. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, and was born in 
181 1. He was there raised to manhood audi remained in that vicinity 
till 1856, when he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Decatur County. 
After a long residence there he removed to- this state and county, locat- 
ing where he now resides. He has 160 acres of land that will compare 
favorably with any in the county, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. 
Davis lias been twice married ; first, to- Miss Elizabeth Holton. They 
had by this union eight children : Jacob,. Joshua, John, Mary A., Rachel, 
Isaac, Julia, and Jane. Mrs. Davis' death occurred in 1867. After a 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 649 

lapse of two years, or in 1869, Mr. D. married Miss J. Jewett. They 
have four children : Branson, Miranda, Adel, Alice. 

W. P. DEETS, 

(deceased). The subject of this sketch was a native of New York, and 
was born in 18 18. He was there reared and educated, and when at the 
age of thirty-seven years, he emigrated to Ogle County, Illinois. After 
a long residence there of twenty-five years, in 1879, ne removed to this 
state, and settled on section 34, where his sons now reside. Mr. Deets 
was married in 1839, to Miss Hannah Wood. They had from this union 
three children : Lorenzo, S. W., and Louis P. Mr. Deets' death 
occurred November 29, 1880. Since that time the children have man- 
aged the home place, and have proven themselves progressive and 
successful farmers. They are men who are highly appreciated in the 
community in which they reside. They have 310 acres of land, all of 
which is improved. During the war of the rebellion the two oldest 
brothers enlisted in the Union army, Lorenzo serving in Company F, 
Thirty-fourth Illinois Regiment. While with that company he was 
wounded at Liberty Gap, Tennessee, and was in Hospital No. 1, at Mur- 
freesboro, Tennessee. He was with the company for three years, and also 
for one year with Hancock's Veteran Corps. S. W. was a volunteer in 
Company M, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, and served for two years. 
He was married in 1867, to Miss Catharine Wilson. They have four 
children : Minnie, Maude, Samuel M., and William P. 

REV. FRANCIS BRADDOCK DINSMORE, 

section 26, post office Gaynor City. Prominent among the farmers and 
stock raisers, as well as among the clergy of this district, stands the sub- 
ject of this sketch. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born April 
22, 1 8 1 7. He was there raised to manhood. Mr. Dinsmore traces his 
ancestry to the old Revolutionary stock, being a descendent, on his 
mother's side, of the great Gen. Braddock, she bearing that name before 
marriage. Moses S. Dinsmore, the father of Francis, was a native of 
Ireland, but was of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was raised in America 
from his tenth year, was by occupation a farmer and teacher. After a 
long and useful life he passed away in 1836. Mr. F. B. Dinsmore, at the 
age of twenty years, commenced his studies for his chosen profession in 
the academy of West Alexander, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of 
Washington College, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He completed 
his ten years' course of study at the Theological Seminary, of Prince- 
ton, New Jersey. Finishing his studies at the age of thirty, he immi- 
grated to Iowa and settled in Henry County, from which locality, afcer 



<650 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

a residence of twenty-five years, in 1872 he removed to this state and 
settled where he now resides. Mr. Dinsmore was married June 3, 1847, 
to Miss Jane Patterson, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four 
•children living : Frances C, John M., William H. and Thomas C. Mr. 
D. was elected judge of the county court in 1878, and served two years. 
He has been school director of his district three years. He is by faith a 
Presbyterian, and is the Pastor of Long Branch Church, having held 
that charge since its organization. It is due largely to his efforts that 
the church was organized, and is now in a prosperous condition. He 
has 415 acres of land that will average with any in the county, part of 
-which is under cultivation. 

WILLIAM DIXON, 

section 13, post office Maryville, is among the old settlers and farmers 
■of this vicinity. He is a native of Fulton County, Illinois, and was 
born December 6, 1837. At the age of one year he was taken by his 
father's family to Andrew County, Missouri, where he was raised to 
manhood and educated, following his present occupation. In 1848 he, 
•with the family, emigrated to this county, where he has since resided. 
R. Dixon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was an old pioneer 
of this county, and a man who was closely identified with its interests 
from an early date. Mr. William Dixon has 320 acres of land that will 
average with any in the county, 200 acres of which are under cultiva- 
tion. He was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah J. Burns. They have from 
this union the following children : James C, Cyrildia J., Levander B., 
Celia E., and Owen W. 

WILLIAM J. DOWTS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Iowa, where he was born, April 24, 1846. He 
was there raised till 1862, in which year he removed to this state, and 
settled where he now resides. Isaac Dowis, his father, was one of the 
first settlers of Taylor County, Iowa, and a man who was closely identi- 
fied with th^ interests of that count)- from an early day. His death 
•occurred November 11, 1877. Mr. W. J. Dowis has 240 acres of land, 
that will compare favorably with any in the county, all of which he has 
under cultivation. He was married June 7, 1866, to Miss Mary J. David- 
son. They have four children : Ora D., Leo, Oscar and Alva. 

MATHIAS ERICKSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 24, post office Gaynor City, a leading 

-farmer and stock raiser of this district, who has gained prominence as a 

successful and progressive man, is a native of Sweden, in which country 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 65 I 

he was born March 23, 1839. He was there raised to manhood, learning 
the trade of blacksmith. At the age of seventeen, he immigrated to 
America, settling near Galesburg, Illinois, where he followed the occu- 
pation of farming. After a residence there of sixteen years, he removed 
to this state and settled where he now resides. He has 320 acres of 
average land, most of which he cultivates. Mr. Erickson was married in 
1866, to Miss Mary S. Holmberg. They have four children : Charles T., 
Minnie E., Nellie A., and Gracie B. During the late war Mr. E. enlisted 
in the Union cause, and served in Company D, Seventh Illinois Cavalry 
Regiment, being chief bugler of that regiment. He was discharged 
from service November 9, 1865. He is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, and also belongs to the M. E. Church, to which he is liberal in 
contributing toward its support. 

WILLIAM A. FISHER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, post office Hopkins, an influential 
farmer and stock raiser of this county, was born in Indiana on the 12th 
of November, 1834, and was there raised to manhood and educated. He 
was engaged while in his native state in the occupation of contracting 
and carpentering. April 16, 1867, he emigrated to Missouri and settled 
in this county, where he now resides. He has 160 acres of land that 
will average with any in the county, ninety acres of which are under 
cultivation, and he has upon his place a nice residence, and his improve- 
ments generally are of the best. Mr. Fisher was married March 30, 
1859, to Miss Melinda A. Boyer, a native of Indiana. They have seven 
•children : Theora A., Ulysses S. G., Lydia E., Indiana E., Lulu F., 
Hiram, and John E. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
He was township trustee one term, and has been school director of his 
district for the past ten years. When first settling in this county he 
taught the district school now known as the Lone Star school house. 
This was formerly called by the old settlers, the " Green Horn school 
house." 

EDWARD T. GAYNOR, 

•section 30, post office Gaynor City, is one of the old settlers and well 
known men of Nodaway County. He is a native of Ireland, and was 
born in 1838. When, at the age of eleven years, he emigrated, with his 
father's family, to America, and settled in Virginia, where he was raised 
to manhood, there learning the trade of blacksmith. In 1865, he 
removed to Ohio, where he resided till 1874, when he came to Missouri, 
and engaged in blacksmithing, where Gaynor City now stands. That 
village was named in his honor. He continued his chosen occupation 
till 1881, when he sold his shop to Mr. McLain, and removed to where 



652 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

he now resides. He has 120 acres of land, sixty acres of which are 
under cultivation. Mr. G. is a member of the A. O. U. W. ; also of the 
Grange. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Margaret Scowden, an esti- 
mable lady. 

B. F. GILMORE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post office Gaynor City. The subject 
of this sketch is a native of Illinois, and was born on March 22, 1837. 
He was raised to manhood and educated in his native state, following 
the occupation of farming and stock raising. In January, 188 r, he immi- 
grated to this state and settled in this county, where he now resides. 
He has 250 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the 
county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. G., with pride, traces 
his ancestry to revolutionary stock, his grandfather being a soldier 
in that war. R. Gilmore, his father, was a colonel in the war of 1812,. 
and was also one of the oldest settlers of Warren County, Illinois, and a 
man who was closely indentified with the agricultural interests of that 
county from the time of his settling there in 1833. The subject of this 
sketch was married to Miss Charlotte Yarder, November 15, i860. Mr. 
Gilmore is a prominent member of the Grange. 

CHARLES F. GRAY, 

section 33, post office Gaynor City. The subject of this sketch 
was born in Lee County, Illinois, March S r 1849, ar >d was raised 
to manhood in his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a 
farm. At the age of twenty years he emigrated to Missouri,, 
locating in this county, where he has since resided. He has eighty 
acres of land that will average with any in the county, sixty 
acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Gray was married Feb- 
ruary 23, 1 87 1, to Miss Mary A. McLaughlin. They have two 
children : Nellie and Gracie. Mr. G., for the first two years and 
a-half of his residence here worked at the trade of bridge building, and 
in 1869 settled where he now resides.. 

WILLIAM J. HARRIS, 

section 9, post office Oxford, a man who deserves favorable mention,, 
was born in Platte County, Missouri, August 23, 1842, and was there 
raised until the age of fourteen years, when he emigrated to Worth 
County, remaining there till 1877, following his present occupation. At 
that time he removed to this county and settled where he now resides. 
He has 140 acres of as good land as there is in the county, 115 acres of 
which are under cultivation. Mr. Harris was married October 22, 1866,. 
to Miss Henrietta Sawyer. They have from this union five children : 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 653 

Monroe, Lurene, Embozella, Oliver, and Ollie, twins. Mr. H. has been 
road commissioner of his district one year. 

E. T. HULL, 

farmer, section 1, post office Hopkins, was born in the State of Illinois 
on December 18, 1853, and was there raised to manhood, and educated. 
He has always followed the occupation of farming. In 1876, he emi- 
grated to this state, and settled in Nodaway County, where he has since 
resided. He moved on his present place in 1878, and is the owner of 
sixty acres of good average land, all of which is improved. Mr. Hull was 
married October 3, 1878, to Miss Sarah Benedict. They have from this 
union one child, Roy. 

C. C. HORN, 

section 24, probably the oldest settler in this portion of the county now 
living where he settled, is the subject of this sketch. He was born July 
29, 1819, in Kentucky, and was there raised and educated. October 4, 
1849, he emigrated to Randolph County, Missouri, where he remained 
three years, and from there removed to Davis County, Iowa, where he 
lived till 1853. At that time he went to Taylor County, and after a space 
of one year came to this state and settled where he now resides. He 
has 100 acres of as good land as there is in the county, sixty acres of which 
are under cultivation. Mr. Horn has been twice married. First, July 
17, 1844, to Miss Eliza A. Jones. They had one child : William F. 
Mrs. Horn's death occurred in. 1846. Mr. H. was married the second 
time to Miss Matilda Lockker. They have from this union nine 
children : George W., Mary E., Martha M., Louisa, Cornelius, Lafay- 
ette, Dilly, Lucy and Florence. During the war Mr. Horn was a mem- 
ber of the Union League. He was constable of his township for one 
term, and also school director for a term of six years. 

G. C. JEWETT, 

physician and surgeon, Gaynor City, is among the professional men of 
this district, and is worthy of special mention. He is a native of Ohio, in 
which state he was born November 5, 1826. His father, David, was a 
physician, and also a D. D., and was presiding elder of the M. E. Church 
of his district. The subject of this sketch at the early age of fourteen, 
began the study of his chosen profession under the direction of his father, 
with whom he continued till he attained his twenty-first year. He then 
attended a course of studies at Race Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, 
three years, and after finishing this course, he emigrated to Iowa, and 
settled in Decatur County. There he commenced the practice of his 
profession. After a successful career of ten years, he removed to Clarke 



654 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

County, where he also practiced his profession. Ten years later, or in 
i88i,he moved to this state, and settled in Gaynor City. Although a 
late addition to this county, he has gained by his successful practice 
hosts of friends and a lucrative business. Dr. Jewett has been twice 
married. First, in 1852, to Miss C. Logan. They had six children: 
Lizzie, Milder J., Marion, William M., Josephine and Laura. Dr. J. was 
married the second time in 1866, to Miss Martha Irwin, a native of Clarke 
County, Iowa. The doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

JASPER N. JONES, 

section 16, post office Pickering, is a representative farmer of Nodaway 
County, and was born in the state of Ohio, May 19, 1828. He was there 
raised, spending his youthful days in the occupation which he has ever 
followed. At the age of twenty-three years he emigrated to Iowa, 
where he remained till 1877, when he removed to this state and county, 
settling where he now resides. He has 200 acres of choice land, 150 
acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Jones was united in marriage 
to Miss Rachel Sword, March 31, 1853. They have from this union 
eleven children living : William A., Sarah A., Carrie A., Charles D. r 
Margaret J., Jasper M., Edward F., Annie B., Earl V., Emma F., and 
Louisa E. During our late war Mr. Jones enlisted in August, 1862, in 
Company F, Thirty-eigthth Iowa Infantry, and served for two years. 

O. N. LESTER, 

farmer attd stock raiser, section 12, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this brief sketch is a native of Indiana, and was born September 8, 
1842. At the age of seven years, he, with the family, emigrated to 
Warren County, Illinois, there residing for a period of twenty-eight 
years. In 1872, he moved to Missouri, and settled where he now 
resides. He owns 125 acres of good average land, eighty acres of which 
are under cultivation. Mr. Lester was married, in 1874, to Miss Mary 
A. Stobaugh. They have two children, Florence and Emma J. During 
the late war, Mr. L. enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Second 
Illinois Regiment, Twentieth Corps. His wife is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

JACOB LINDEMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 26, post office Gaynor City. Among 
the successful and progressive farmers of this vicinity, is the subject of 
this sketch, who was born in Germany on September 1, 1827. He was 
reared to manhood in his native country, learning the machinist trade. 
In 1847 he emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was engaged in following his trade, there residing for 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 655 

five years. From that place he went to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where 
he continued the same occupation and lived for five years, going next to> 
Stephenson County, Illinois. Owing to ill health he abandoned his 
trade and followed the occupation of farming. After a space of sixteen 
years, he took up his location in Decatur County, Iowa, remaining there 
eight years, at the end of which time he came to Missouri and settled 
in this county where he now resides. He has ninety acres of good 
land, all of which is under cultivation. Mr. Lindeman was married in 
1850 to Miss Josephine Woster. They have six children: Charlie, 
Jacob, Emma, Alfred, Maria, and Carrie. Mr. L. is a member of the I. 
O. O. F., and also belongs to the Lutheran Church. He was road com- 
missioner one term, and has been school director of his district for one 
term. 

WILLIAM McGLOTHLAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 1 1, post office Hopkins, is deserving of 
more than a passing notice among the prominent farmers of this county. 
He is a native of Kentucky, and was born May 24, 1823. He was there 
raised to manhood and educated, and in the year 1854 immigrated to 
Illinois, where he resided seventeen years, following the occupation of 
farming. In 1871 he removed to Missouri and settled in this county, 
where he now resides. He has 135 acres of land that will average with 
any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. McGlothlan 
was married in 185 1 to Miss Sarah A. Massey, a native of Kentucky. 
They have been blessed with six children : James E., Robert F., Albert 
W., Mattie J., Jessie L. and Charles W. Mr. McG. held, with credit to 
himself and the public, the office of justice of the peace for five years, 
resigning his position at the end of that time. 

W. H. McLAIN, 

dealer in general merchandise, Gaynor City. The subject of this sketch 
is the principal merchant of this town, and is also its founder. He is a 
native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was born June 26, 1853. While 
yet an infant, with the family he emigrated to Decatur County, Iowa, 
where they resided twelve years, after which time Mr. McLain removed 
to Illinois, settling in Brown County. After a residence there of twelve 
years, during which time he was engaged in farming, in 1879, he again 
returned to Iowa, where he lived six months. After that he went again 
to Illinois, and from there came to Missouri in 1879, and started the 
business that now occupies his attention. He has a large trade, and 
thoroughly merits his success.. He is honest in his dealings, and is pos- 
sessed of sterling principles of right, and carries a full and complete 
stock of goods, in his line. Mr. McLain was married April 28, 1876, to 



656 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Miss Rebecca J. De Witt. They have by this union two children : Hat- 
tie J., and Lenvil D. Mr. McL. is the postmaster of Gaynor City. This 
town was established by W. H. McLain, and took its name from Edward 
Gaynor, who at that time had a blacksmith shop where the town now 
stands. This shop is now operated by Mr. McLain. The town is situ- 
ated on the corners of sections 26, 25, 35, 36, although the stores are on 
section 26. The business portion is composed of a store and a black- 
smith shop and a drug store, the latter operated by Dr. Cadwallader ; 
also a few residences. 

william Mclaughlin, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Defiance, is prominent 
among old settlers and pioneers of this county. He i's a native of Ireland, 
and was born April 8, 18 10. When two years of age, the family immi- 
grated to America, and settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where 
William was raised till the age of fifteen, at which time he emigrated to 
Ohio. There he was engaged in the occupation of farming till 1839, when 
he removed to Illinois, and after a long residence there of nineteen 
years, he moved to Iowa, where he remained one year. He then came 
to Missouri, and settled where he now resides. He has 1 19 acres of good 
average land, forty acres of which are under cultivation. Before dividing 
his land among his children, he had a tract of 640 acres. Mr. McLaugh- 
lin was married in 1843, to Miss Eliza Miller. They have five children 
living: John, James M., Richard S., Mary A. and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. 
McL. are members of the M. E. Church. 

M. MURDOCH, 

section 2, post office Hopkins, is one of the successful young farmers of 
this county who owe their standing in society and success in life to their 
own endeavors. Mr. Murdoch, is a native of Louisiana, and, at an early 
day, with the family, he emigrated to Peoria County, Illinois, where he 
was raised to manhood, and educated. After a residence there of 
twenty years, he removed to Missouri, and settled in this county, where 
he has since resided. He has 160 acres of well improved land. In 
1 87 1, Mr. Murdoch married Miss Eliza White, a lady of noble qualities 
and genial habits. They had by this happy union three children : 
Harry, Annie and Mary. After a period of ten years, she passed away 
from earth, in June, 1881. Mr. M. is a member of the United Workmen. 

FREDERICK A. ORR, 

merchant and postmaster, Orrsburg. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Brown County, Illinois, and when at the age of twelve years, 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 657 

with the family, he emigrated to Hancock County, Illinois, where he was 
reared to manhood and educated, following the occupation of farming. 
In 1871 he removed to Missouri, and settled in this county, and on Octo- 
ber 1, 1881, he started his present business. He carries a general stock 
of goods, valued at $1,600, which is large and complete, and he is doing 
an increasing business. Mr. Orr was married February 16, 1873, to Miss 
Henrietta Stingley, a native of Missouri. They have from this union 
three children : Efifie, John A. and Myrtie O. Mr. Orr is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and is junior warden of Gaynor City Lodge, U. 
D. A., F. and A. M. He was school director of District No. 6, of Jackson 
Township for two terms, and was also assessor of that township for one 
term. 

ELIAS REDDICK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 21, post office Gaynor City. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is an old settler and prominent citizen of this district, 
and a man who is deserving of special mention. He is a native of Ohio, 
and was born June 23, 1828. He was there raised until he attained his 
twenty-fifth year, at which time he immigrated to Indiana, where he 
resided three years. After this he returned to Ohio, and three years 
later went to Iowa, settling in Taylor County. After a residence there 
of four years, in i860, he removed to this state and county, settling 
where he now resides. He has 200 acres of land that will compare 
favorably with any in the county, eighty acres of which he has under 
cultivation. Mr. Reddick was married August 31, 1856, to Miss Mary 
Boyer. They have to bless their union nine children : Elias A., Martha 
J., Ida, Lilly, Clara M., Annie A., John, Ferdinand and Jesse L. At the 
breaking out of the rebellion Mr. R. enlisted in Company F. Twelfth 
Missouri Cavalry Regiment, and was quarter-master sergeant of his com- 
pany, remaining in the service three years. He has held the position of 
school director and constable of his district. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the German Baptist Church. 

WILLIAM T. SHADES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 21, post office Defiance. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Ohio, in which state he was born January 11, 
1844. He was there raised to manhood and educated, following general 
mercantile pursuits till 1869, at which time he immigrated to this state, 
and settled where he now lives. Since his residence here he has followed 
the occupation of farming, and now has 160 acres of land that will aver- 
age with any in the county, eighty acres of which are under cultivation. 
Mr. Shades was married in 1867, to Miss Charlotte E. French. They 
have from this union seven children : William F., Roland C, Cora H., 



658 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Mary, Delphine, John K., and Arthur G. During the war Mr. Shades 
enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Seventy-third Ohio Infantry 
Regiment, and was second lieutenant of his company. He is now school 
director of his district. 

GEORGE R. SHROCK, 

section 4, post office Defiance, Worth County, is a prominent and repre- 
sentative farmer and stock raiser of this district, and was born in Penn- 
sylvania, on February 2, 1835. He was there raised to manhood, being 
brought up in the occupation which he now follows. At the age of 
twenty years, he emigrated to Colorado, and engaged in the occupation 
of mining, remaining in the west eight years, a part of which time he 
spent in Montana and California. From there he removed to this state, 
and settled in Harrison County, and, after a residence of one year, he 
went to Worth County, remaining six years. He then came to this 
county, and settled where he now resides, being the owner of 246 acres 
of land, 175 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Shrock was mar- 
ried in January, 1869, to Miss Mary Coy, an estimable lady. They have, 
to bless this union, five children : Irene, Hubert, Earl, Marinda and 
Essie. Mr. Shrock is school director of this district. 

JULIUS C. SIMMONS, 

section 9, post office Gaynor City, is a leading young farmer of this 
township, and deserves more than a passing notice. He is a native of 
Illinois, and was born November 7, 1848. He was there raised to man- 
hood and educated, spending his boyhood days on a farm. In 1875 he 
emigrated to Missouri and settled in this county where he now resides. 
He has 160 acres of land that is as good as any in the county, most of 
which is under cultivation. Mr. Simmons was married Ssptember 29, 
1870, to Miss Belinda Hahn, a native of Knox County, Illinois, and a 
descendant of an old pioneer family. They have from this union four 
children : Hannah, Mary, Phoebe, and Dolly. Mr. S. is at present one 
of the school directors of his district. 

CHARLES SIMMONS. 

section 9, post office Gaynor City. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Warren County, Illinois, where he was born in 1856. He was there 
raised to manhood, being brought up in the occupation which he now 
follows. In 1875 he immigrated with his father's family to Missouri, and 
settled in this county, where he now has eighty acres of land that will 
compare favorably with any in the county, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Simmons was married April 26, 1880, to Miss Elsie A.Jenkins, 



INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP. 659 

a lady in every sense worthy to be the helpmate of the subject of this 
sketch. They have to bless this union one child : Ralph. 

REZIN SMITH, 

farmer and sheep raiser, section 14, post office Hopkins. The subject 
of this sketch is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, where 
he was born April 15, 1820. When at the age of six years he, with his 
father's family, emigrated to Indiana and settled in Floyd County, from 
whence, after a residence of four years, he removed to Arkansas. There 
he resided only a short time, and then he went to Illinois ; but not liking 
the country, he soon came to Missouri and entered the employ of the 
American Fur Company. This state was then in its infancy. Mr. Smith 
remained with that company five years, when he returned to Illinois 
and settled, following the occupation of a cabinet-maker and carpenter 
for thirty years. Tiring of a settled life, he emigrated in 1869 to Iowa, 
where he resided only eighteen months, and from there came to this 
state and county. In 1878 he located where he now resides. He has 
over eighty-one acres of good average land, all of which is under culti- 
vation. Mr. S. is one of the largest sheep raisers of this district, and to 
that industry alone he attributes his success in Missouri. He has been 
twice married ; first, in 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Gilliand. There are 
from this union four children living : Adelaide, Angeline, Emeline, and 
Catherine. Mrs. Smith's death occurred in 1855. After a period of two 
years, or in 1857, Mr- S. was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Watson. 
They have seven children : Martha E., Charles C, Fannie B., Clement 
L. V., Teddy E., Matilda, and Rezin. To Mr. Smith is attributed the 
honor of importing the first Cotswold sheep into this county. 

PARIS H. SPAULDING. 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Defiance. Among the old 
settlers and prominent and successful farmers of this district the subject 
of this sketch is worthy of more than a passing notice. He is a native 
of New York, and was born October 9, 1842. He was there raised to 
manhood and educated, and is by trade a stonemason. In 1865 he emi- 
grated to Missouri and settled in this county, and in 1873 moved on his 
present place. He has forty acres of his own, and besides this works 
eighty acres of the family's land. All of it is land that will average with 
any in the county, the larger portion of which is under cultivation. Mr. 
Spaulding was married October 9, i860, to Miss Lydia R. Pangurn- 
They have two children : Hattie L. and Paris L. Mr. S. was road 
commissioner one term. They are members of the Baptist Chfcrch. 



660 . BIOGRAPHICAL. 

J. F. STOBAUGH, 

farmer and stock raiser, is a respected farmer and old settler of this dis- 
trict. He is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1822. When at the 
age of eight years, with his father's family, he emigrated to Indiana, 
residing there twenty-seven years. From that state he moved to Bates 
County, Missouri, and after one year came to this county, and settled 
where he now lives. He has 716 acres of land in this county, 300 acres 
of which are under cultivation. Mr. Stobaugh was united in marriage to 
Miss Rachel Owen in 1845. They have from this union four children : 
Emily J., Jacob, Levi and Mary Ann. During the war Mr. S. was a 
member of the State Militia. 

WASHINGTON THOMPSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 10, post office Hopkins. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Andrew County, Missouri, where he was born 
April 28, 1848. While quite young, he, with the family, emigrated to 
Taylor County, Iowa, where he resided ten years. After this time he 
came to this county, where he has since resided. He was raised in the 
occupation he now follows, and in 1876 moved on the place where he 
now resides. He has eighty acres of land that will average with any in 
the count)-, fifty acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. Thompson 
was married December 20, 1874, to Miss Athea A. Shelman. They have 
from this happy union three children : James A., Lena E. and Elza A. 

ROBERT T. WATSON, 

section 3, post office Gaynor City, a successful young farmer and stock 
raiser of this district, is a native of the State of Iowa, where he was 
born October 9, 1849. At the age of three years, with his father's fam- 
ily, he emigrated to Oregon, where he was raised till he attained his 
fifteenth year, when he removed to Washington Territory. There he 
resided five years, and, in 1868, he returned to Iowa, and settled on the 
place where he was born, remaining till 1874. At that time, he emi- 
grated to Missouri, and located where he now resides. He has 120 acres 
of average land, as good as any in the county, all of which is under cul- 
tivation. Mr. Watson was married, in 1877, to Miss Laura Lewis. 
They have from this union three children : Albert A., Esther E. and 
Morna. 



Q^M}^^ 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 



JACOB M. ASHFORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born in Parke County, 
Indiana, on the 15th of April, 1846, and was the son of Elijah M. and 
Elizabeth (Dorrow) Ashford. The former was born in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, and was a farmer and bricklayer by occupation. His wife, 
the mother of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of Columbiana 
County, Ohio. Jacob spent his youth upon a farm in Louisa County, 
Iowa, and received a common school education. In 1865 he removed to 
Missouri, and in September of the same year located in this county. He 
served for two years during the war, and during the latter part was with 
General Sherman on his march to the sea, also participating in the grand 
reunion at Washington. March 18, 1869, he was married to Miss Mary 
Elizabeth McGinnis, daughter of A. W. McGinnis, of Polk Township, 
this county. They have a family consisting of Zacha O., born February 
8, 1870; Sarah A., born November 29, 1871 ; Abinah M., born November 
20, 1873 ; Persius, born December 4, 1877; Mary G., born December 20, 
1879; an d an infant, born November 25, 1881 — and lost one. Mr. Ash- 
ford belongs to Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M., and is a 
member of the Christian Church. In his politics he is liberal. He owns 
270 acres of improved land, well adapted to the raising of stock, in which 
he takes quite an interest. Upon his place is a neat and comfortable 
residence. While a citizen of this county he has filled the office of con- 
stable. 

WILLIAM A WALT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Pickering, was born in 
West Tennessee, December 25, 18 19, and was taken to Bartholomew 
County, Indiana, by his parents when only one year old. There he was 
principally raised, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving 
an education in the neighborhood schools. He commenced business for 
himself when twenty-one years of age, with one horse and a cow, rented 
a farm, and has given his attention to agricultural pursuits since then. 
In October, 1848, he moved to Davis County, Iowa, bought a claim and 
commenced to improve a farm. During the war he served in the home 
guards ; he also had two sons in the regular service. In the spring of 
1865, Mr. A. came to Nodaway County, and settled on his present farm. 



662 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Since that time he has stood among the enterprising citizens of Noda- 
way County. He owns ninety acres of farm land and thirty-five acres 
of timber. He has a handsome residence, a good barn, and an excellent 
orchard, besides considerable small fruit. Mr. Await was married March 
28, 1841, to Miss Maria Nicholas, a lady worthy of him. She was born in 
Adams County, Ohio, August 12, 1821. They have had nine children, 
six of whom are living: Ezekiel, John W., Julia A. (now Mrs. William 
Sturgeon), William H., Sarah (now Mrs. Henry Kelly), and Thomas. 
They also have a grand-daughter living with them : Mary T. Coleman. 
Mr. and Mrs. Await are active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Pickering, in which he holds the position of class leader. He 
has been a church member for some forty-one years. 

EZEKIEL AWALT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post office Pickering, was born in Bar- 
tholomew County, Ind, April 10, 1843, and was the son of William and 
Maria (Nicholas) Await. The former, who was born in Virginia, a farmer 
by occupation, his wife being also a native of Virginia. Ezekiel spent 
his youth on a farm in Davis County, Iowa, receiving a common school 
education. During the late war he served for three years in Company 
F, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, taking part in the battles of Vicksburg, 
Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain, the campaign to Atlanta, and was 
with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea. From thence he went to 
Washington, where he participated in the grand review. After the 
close of the war, or in the fall of 1865, Mr. Await removed to Missouri, 
locating in Nodaway County. Some time since he had the misfortune 
to have his dwelling burned, thereby losing nearly everything. He is 
now the owner of forty acres of land, upon which is a residence superior 
to the old one in many respects. He keeps some graded stock, but 
gives his attention chiefly to his orchard, he having about the best one 
in this township, consisting of some 600 apple trees, besides pear, cherry 
and plum trees, and he also raises great quantities of grapes. Mr. Await 
was married October 22, 1867, to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Alvin Stur- 
gill, a native of Virginia. They have four children : Edith G., born 
June 26, 1868 ; William O., born November 21, 1870 ; Katie, born Novem- 
ber 22, 1872, and Charles A., born March 13, 1875. Mr. A. is a Republi- 
can in politics. He worships with the M. E. denomination. 

PETER BEHM, 

is of Behm & Deppiesse, dealers in general merchandise, hardware, 
drugs, etc. This firm was organized in June, 1880. They have a 
double store, well filled with a well assorted stock in their line, and 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 663 

are doing a thriving business. Mr. Behm was born in Luxemburg, 
Germany, June 14th, 1844, and was brought to the United States by his 
parents in the winter of 1846. They settled in Washington County, 
Wisconsin, where Peter was principally raised, spending his boyhood 
days on a farm, and receiving his education in the schools of the neigh- 
borhood. In July, 1870, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and 
remained one year in Maryville, when he located in Pickering, which he 
has since made his home. In 1873, he commenced the mercantile busi- 
ness at this place, and has thus continued to the present. He is also 
engaged in shipping stock and produce, in which business he was quite 
unfortunate. He is an enterprising citizen, and gives his attention strictly 
to his business. Mr. Behm was married, in. 1870, to Miss Katherine 
Graser, a native of Wisconsin. They have had five children : Lena, 
Nicholas, Mary, Johnnie and Henry. Himself and wife are members of 
the Catholic Church of Maryville. John B. Deppiesse, Mr. Behm's part- 
ner in business, was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, November 
21, 1 861. He was raised on a farm, at his birth place, and, when eleven 
years of age, he commenced to learn the mercantile business, and has 
followed it through life. He came to Pickering March 24, 1880, and 
soon became associated with Mr. Behm, forming the partnership now 
carrying on business under the firm name of Behm & Deppiesse. 

MARTIN L. BENTON, 

farmer, section 30, is a native of Allegany County, New York, where 
he was born on the 22d of March, 1840, being the son of Abner and 
Abigail (Livermore) Benton. The former was born in Vermont, and 
was an agriculturist, while the latter was a native of Massachusetts. 
Martin received a common school education, passing his youth on a 
farm in Dubuque County, Iowa. In the fall of 1870, he removed to Mis- 
souri and took up his residence in Nodaway County, where he is now 
the fortunate possessor of 120 acres of good land, having upon the same 
a fair amount of stock. He also has a small orchard and a neat resi- 
dence, making an attractive and home-like place. He has filled the 
position of road supervisor. Mr. Benton was united in marriage on the 
29th day of November, 1866, to Miss Olive Swayze, a daughter of Wes- 
ley Swayze, late of Maryville. Their family circle includes Charles W., 
born September 27, 1867 ; Frederick' L., born September 20, 1872 ; Gil- 
bert E., born June 27, 1877, and Alice E., born August 21, 1879. Mr. B. 
is a Greenbacker in his political views. 

DR. CHARLES D. BLACK, 

stock dealer and shipper, was born in Elktown, Todd County, Kentucky, 
February 27, 1843. His father, James Black, was a native of Virginia, 



664 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

and was engaged in the ministry. His wife, Mary (Martin) Black, the 
mother of our subject, was born in Todd County, Kentucky. In 185 1 
Charles moved to Hancock County, Illinois, where his youth was passed, 
receiving his education at Abington, Knox County, Illinois. Having 
resolved on the practice of medicine as his profession, he commenced its 
study with a Prof. Temple, of the homoeopathic school, and in 1868 began 
practicing at Bloomfield, Iowa. He is now partially retired from active 
duty in this calling on account of failing health. On the 10th of Novem- 
ber, 1870, Dr. Black became a resident of Missouri*, at the same time 
locating in Nodaway County. He is now the owner of 340 acres of land 
in Missouri and 200 acres in Iowa. His handsome residence is situated 
on section 30 of this township. His stock embraces some of the best to> 
be found in the county, his breed of short horn Durhams, etc., always 
carrying away a full share of premiums at agricultural fairs. In connec- 
tion with Mr. J. W. Paterfield, he is extensively engaged in feeding and 
shipping hogs and cattle, and makes the greater part of the shipments 
from this section of country. An evidence of the manner in which he 
has worked through life, thereby gaining the position he now occupies, 
is shown by the fact that his first start in the stock business was a calf 
which was given him when he was twelve years of age. Dr. Black is a 
favorite with those with whom he is acquainted, and has many friends. 
He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and at present is school 
director. He was married October 4, 1870, to Miss Mary J. Bell, a daugh- 
ter of Charles Bell, of West Grove, Iowa. She was born August 1, 1853, 
in Davis County, Iowa. Dr. Black is a Republican in his political prefer- 
ences. He is also a member of the Christian Church. 

NATHAN B. BROWN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section I, was born in Coxbury, Licking 
County, Ohio, on the 21st day of October, 1842. His parents were L. R 
Brown, a farmer and carpenter, a native of Massachusetts, and Ann 
(Gleason) Brown, who was born in New York. Nathan passed his boy- 
hood on the farm in his native county until he was nine years of age. 
He attended the common schools, and in 1857 became a resident of St. 
Louis, Missouri. In 1874 he came to Nodaway County, where he now 
owns 140 acres of good land, well watered and stocked, and upon which 
is a nice orchard. During the late war he served for three years in Com- 
pany F, Fifth Missouri State Militia, cavalry, and took part in the battles 
of Big Blue, Little Osage, Jefferson City and Booneville. On the 16th 
day of March, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Stephen- 
son, a daughter of A. B. Stephenson, of California, Missouri. Their fam- 
ily consists of Henry E., born May 29, 1870 ; Flora EL, born February 4, 
1S72 ; Justice J., born October 3 1, 1874 ;, Luke E., born February 11,. 1877, 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 66$ 

and Bessie, born March 31, 1880. Mr, Brown has filled the office of road 
supervisor. He is Republican in politics, and is one of the most enter- 
prising men of this district. 

JOSEPH P. CHAMBERLAIN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 32, was born in Summit County, Ohio, 
January 12, 1840, and was the son of Lyman and Caroline (Ferguson) 
Chamberlain. The former was a farmer, and a native of Connecticut,, 
and the latter was born in the State of Ohio. Joseph spent his youth 
on a farm at his birthplace. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company 
K, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years and 
three months, taking part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, 
Chickamaugua, Chattanooga, and with Sherman through to Atlanta. 
After this, or in the fall of 1864, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and now owns 240 acres of land. At that time this land was mostly 
unbroken and lay in a wild state. By hard work, economy, and perse- 
verance, he has succeeded in making one of the finest farms in the 
neighborhood. It is well adapted to stock raising, being watered and 
sheltered by timber, and in this branch Mr. C. takes quite an interest, 
having considerable graded stock. He was married February 25, 1866,. 
to Miss Louisa Nash, a daughter of Timothy Nash. They have five 
children; Juliet, born July 2, 1869; Lilly, born June 12, 1872; Laura, 
born February 12, 1875 ; Ada, born January 17, 1877, and Lulu, born 
December 20, 1879. ^ r - Chamberlain has held the offices of justice of 
the, peace and school director. He is a " Garfield Republican " in poli- 
tics, and a member of the M. E. Church. He is respected among his 
acquaintances, and gives every good cause his hearty support. 

JOHN W. COLEMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 8, was born in Adams County, 
Illinois, May 8, 1841, and accompanied his parents to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, in the spring of 1855. His father, Dr. Josiah Coleman, 
entered the land on which Pickering now stands, and commenced improv- 
ing a farm. He also followed the practice of his profession, traveling 
from Clarinda to White Cloud, and his name is very familiar to the early 
settlers of Nodaway County. He represented this district in the Legis- 
lature in the years 1865-6, and during the war mustered one of the first 
companies in the county. He himself went into the field as captain, 
under Gen. Kimball. He laid off the town of Pickering, and is now one 
of the leading and most respected citizens of Montgomery County, Kan- 
sas. J. W. Coleman was raised in the scenes of pioneer life, and has 
contributed his full share towards making Nodaway County one of the 



666 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

finest in the state. He was brought up as a farmer and received the 
benefits of a common school education, and through life has not departed 
from his early calling. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri 
Militia. His landed estate consists of 160 acres of fine land, upon which 
is a handsome residence, situated on an eminence overlooking the town 
of Pickering. He also has a good orchard, and is largely interested in 
stock raising. He has filled the offices of assessor and township collec- 
tor many times, and has held his present position of clerk of the district 
some six years. Commencing life with a limited amount of capital, he 
has worked his way up steadily, though having met with several reverses. 
On the 13th of December, 1878, he lost his residence and household 
goods by fire. Being a pioneer, he is widely and favorably known, and 
has the respect of a large circle of friends. Mr. Coleman was married 
November 2, 1862, to Miss Mary R. Smith, who was born in Lawrence 
County, Ohio, March 16, 1842, She was brought to this county by her 
parents in 1855. They have had six children, four of whom are living: 
Donnizetti, Sirena A., John L. and Frank B. Mrs. Coleman is an active 
member of the M. E. Church, of Pickering. 

ROBINSON COLEMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born on the 8th of Janu- 
ary, 1843, and is a native of Adams County, Illinois. His father, Dr. 
Josiah Coleman, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother — whose 
maiden name was Jane Hill — was born in Ireland. Robinson obtained 
his education in the common schools, spending his youth until twelve 
years of age at his birthplace. He then came to Missouri with his 
parents, locating in Nodaway Count}- on the 15th of April, 1855. The 
country was wild and unsettled, and he has passed through innumerable 
struggles peculiar only to pioneers. His father was well known and 
universally respected by the early settlers, and laid off the town of Pick- 
ering. In June, 1861, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Enrolled 
Missouri Militia, and July 15, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company M, Elev- 
enth Missouri Cavalry. He was mustered out Jul)' 27, 1865, at New 
Orleans, having participated in the battles of Jacksonport, Augusta, 
Brownsville, Arkansas, and man)' others. He is Republican in politics, 
and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Coleman has been 
twice married — first in the fall of 1866, to Minerva Await, who died, leav- 
ing one child : Mary D., born September 6, 1867. His second marriage 
was to Lydia M. Livesy, daughter of Simpson Livesy. They have four 
children : Adolphus, born May 10, 1874 ; Oliver, born February 27, 1876 ; 
Esthas, born March 3, 1878; and Walter, born February 17, 1S80. Mr. 
Coleman owns eighty acres of land, well watered and stocked, some of 
his cattle being graded. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 667 

REV. WILLIAM COWLEY, 

paster of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Pickering. Among the 
earnest Christian workers of Nodaway County is the subject of this 
sketch. He is a native of the Isle of Man, arid was born April 30, 1840. 
He was reared at his birthplace, receiving part of his education at King 
William's College. He also learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1870, he 
crossed the ocean landing at New York, and then come west to St. 
Joseph, Missouri, and, from there, to Graham, Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. In 1 87 1, he entered the ministry, and received charge of a cir- 
cuit north of Graham. This charge he held until 1874, when he moved 
to Milton, Atchison County, Missouri, and remained in charge of that 
circuit for two years. Returning to Graham, he remained for one year, 
and then obtained the circuit at Albany, Gentry County, Missouri, con- 
tinuing there one year. His next move was to Fillmore, Andrew 
County, Missouri, where he remained two years. Then he came to 
Pickering in March, 1881. He is an active worker, and a zealous 
Christian. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, belong to Hes- 
perian Lodge, of Graham. Mr. Cowley was married in March, 1874, to 
Miss Mary Bradford, an estimable Christian lady. She was born in 
Ohio, February 23, 1847. They have been blessed with three children : 
Annie S., Arthur B. and Mabel L. 

GEORGE A. DOWNING, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born near Yan Yan, Yates 
County, New York, December 29, 18 18, and was the son of William R. 
and Mary (Miller) Downing. The former, a native of New York State, 
was a farmer and also a boot and shoe maker. His wife was also born 
in New York. George received a common school education, being 
brought up on a farm in Clarke and Washington Counties, Indiana. 
When twelve years of age he commenced business for himself by work- 
ing by the month. At the age of seventeen years he moved to Fulton 
County, Illinois. In October, 1840, he came to Missouri, locating in what 
was then Buchanan (now Andrew) County. The Platte Purchase was 
then sparsely settled. Mr. D. often traveled through Nodaway and 
adjoining counties on hunting expeditions. In 1857, ne went to Texas, 
where he continued to remain until the spring of 1861, when the war 
broke out. At that time he exchanged his land for some in Nodaway 
County, and to avoid serving in the Confederate army, and fighting 
against his country, decided to move north. In company with Samuel 
McFarland and others, he traversed a country which was in a state of 
warfare, and had many narrow escapes with his life, his knowledge of 
the people and their habits, etc., often preventing trouble. During the 



668 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and held the position of 
captain of a company of militia. Mr. Downing is the owner of 580 acres 
of land. He has some fine horses, and is quite largely interested in 
stock raising. He owns most of the property where the old town of 
Xenia formerly stood. This was laid off in 1856, and grew to be quite a 
village, having some business houses and thirty or forty families. The 
war had its bad effects on the prosperity of the town, and in 1870, the 
railroad completed the work of destroying it. Some of the buildings 
were moved to Hopkins and others to Pickering, so that all that remains 
to tell the tale of a once thriving village is a neat country school house, 
and part of the town site has been converted into a farm. Mr. D. held 
the position of postmaster of Xenia, and has filled most of the township 
offices. He was married March 22, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Pierson, 
daughter of James Pierson, of Culpepper County, Virginia. Their family 
consists of Samuel H. born August 17, 1848; Mary A. (now Mrs. L. H. 
Wray), born October 9, 1850; Amanda E. (now Mrs. John F. Gray),- 
born May 7, 1852; M. Eva (now Mrs. S. C. Morrison), born August 20, 
1857; George G., born May 5, 1868, and Delia F., born February 24, 
1870. Mr. Downing belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding his 
membership in Texas. He is Republican in politics, and in every respect 
a moral man, and one who enjoys the respect of many acquaintances. 

JAMES F. FIELDS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Pickering, is a native of 
Montgomery County, Indiana, where he was born on the 21st of August, 
1835, being the son of a farmer, Foster Fields, a native of Ohio, and 
Eliza (Ayres) Fields, who was also born in Ohio. James spent his youth 
on a farm at his birthplace, receiving an education in the neighboring 
schools. About the year 1857 he moved to Knox County, Ohio, and 
remained in that state for some sixteen years, then coming to Missouri. 
In March, 1875, he located in Nodaway County, and is now the owner of 
160 acres of excellent land, well watered and adapted to stock raising, 
having an excellent spring in his feed lot. He is engaged in raising 
stock of all kinds, and his farm is one of the most attractive in this 
district. Mr. Fields was married on the 3d of July, 1859, to Miss 
Aramenta V. Coleman, a daughter of Nathaniel Coleman, a native of 
Pennsylvania. They have five children : Columbia J., born October 15, 
i860; Lilly M., born June 20, 1865 ; Nevada A., born January 3, 1872;. 
Daisy E., born June 9, 1874, and Larkin J., born April 3, 1877. Mr. 
Fields takes a great interest in educational matters, and has held the 
position of school director. He is a Democrat in politics, and his 
religious preferences are with the United Brethren Church. Every good 
cause receives his support. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 669 

THOMAS N. GARTEN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born in Monroe County, Vir- 
ginia, November 6, 1826, and was a son of John and Matilda (Wray) Gar- 
ten. The former was a farmer by occupation, and was born in Virginia. 
The latter was also a native of that state. Thomas spent his younger 
days principally on a farm in Putnam County, Indiana, receiving his 
education in the subscription schools of pioneer fame. When about 
twenty-five years of age he commenced business for himself, having in 
his possession one horse worth $30. He has made agricultural pursuits 
his occupation through life, and has been successful in his undertakings. 
In the spring of 1866 he became a resident of Missouri, and on the 26th 
of June of that year located in Nodaway County. He now owns 100 
acres of land, well stocked. When he purchased this farm it consisted of 
wild land, but through energetic and steady efforts he has secured a val- 
uable place. Through some defect in the original title of sale he was 
compelled to pay for it twice. The Mowrey Branch runs through his 
farm, affording excellent facilities for stock raising. There is upon his 
place a good orchard and some small fruit. Mr. Garten has held the 
office of township collector three years and has been school director 
some fourteen years, besides having filled some smaller offices. During 
the war he contributed toward its successful carrying on. He is a 
Republican in political faith, and a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
G. has been twice married: First, in September, 1851, to Miss 
Sarah Johnson. They had two children, Margaret (now Mrs. James 
Pistole), born October 10, 1853, and Henry, born March 1, 1857. His 
second marriage occurred November 10, 18S8, to Sarah Simmonson, a 
daughter of Mr. I. Simmonson, of Indiana. Their family consists of five 
children: Scott, born August 1, i860; Charlie, born November 26, 
1862 ; Edward, born April 8, 1865 ; Cora, born April II, 1871, and Alta ? 
born November 15, 1878. 

ROBERT GARTEN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post office Pickering, was born in 
Putnam County, Indiana, March 11, 1833. He was raised there until 
fourteen years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm, receiving 
a common school education in the log school houses of pioneer days. 
In 1847, he accompanied his parents to Knox County, Indiana, where he 
resided four years, and then moved to Bureau County, Illinois, where he 
made his home for five years. His next move was to Missouri, settling 
in Platte County, and he has resided in the west since that time. He 
spent some five vears on the plains, engaged in freighting, and during 
that time made two trips to New Mexico, having had some narrow 



b/O BIOGRAPHICAL. 

escapes from being massacred by the Indians. Being a crack shot, with 
both rifle and revolver, he has killed many buffalo, antelope, and other 
game, and has met with many thrilling incidents in his western experi- 
ence. In 1863, he enlisted in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and served 
about six months. He then enlisted in the regular service, in Company 
C, Fifty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of 
the war, when he came to Nodaway County, and purchased the land on 
which he now resides. It was then wild, and he commenced to improve 
it. He now owns 120 acres improved and sixty acres of timber and 
pasture lands. He has a neat and comfortable residence, situated about 
one-half mile south of Pickering, and has a good view of the town and 
the surrounding country. He also has an orchard and vineyard, and 
keeps his farm well stocked. Mr. G. was married, in 1866, to Mrs. Han- 
nah Binnum, a widow with two children, H. E. and George P. Binnum. 
By the latter union there are four children : James S., William S., Car- 
rie and Arthur M. Mr. and Mrs. Garten are active members of the M. 
E. Church of Pickering, in which he holds the position of church trustee, 
and formerly held the office of steward. He has been a member of the 
denomination for twenty years. 

EDWARD S. GODSEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Chesterfield County, Virginia, June 8, 1822. His father was of Irish 
lineage and his mother of English origin Edward spent his boyhood 
days on a farm at his birthplace, and when sixteen years of age accom- 
panied his parents to Laurel County, Kentucky, in the fall of 1839. He 
remained in that state until the fall of 1850, when he emigrated to Tay- 
lor County, Iowa, which was almost a wilderness at that time, there 
being but about twenty families in the county. He came when the 
inhabitants were wolves and Indians, and may be considered a pioneer. 
He has the honor of having held the first office of constable in the 
county, and also of assisting in building the first house in Bedford. 
This was a log building erected for a drug store. Mr. G. remained there 
some twelve years, engaged in farming. He then came to Nodaway 
County, and settled on his present place March 20, [862. During the 
war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In 1863 he opened a 
general merchandise store at Xenia, and carried on the business two 
years. Since that time he has devoted his attention exclusively to agri- 
cultural pursuits. His landed estate consists of 354 acres, the home farm 
of 160 acres being well watered and improved. He has a good orchard, 
a neat and comfortable residence, barn, etc., and has his place well 
stocked. He takes an interest in educational matters, and has filled the 
office of school director seteral terms. Mr. Godsey commenced life a 



UNION TOWNSHII-. 671 

poor boy and has made what he now has by honesty and industry. He 
was married December 1 1,1845, to Miss Elizabeth Dowis, a native of 
Knox County, Kentucky. She was born March 5, 1825. They have 
been blessed with eleven children, six of whom are living: Jessie T., 
John F., Judy S. (now Mrs. George M. Ringold), Ella D., George, and 
Cora T. They are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church of 
Hopkins. 

WILLIAM GRAY, Jr. 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was among the early pioneers of Nod- 
away County. He was born in Ash County, North Carolina, March 10, 
1831, and was taken to Campbell County, Tennessee, when two years of 
age. From there he went to Carroll County, Missouri, in the fall of 1841, 
and thence to Nodaway County in the spring of 1842. The family set- 
tled in what is now Union Township, the country then being something 
of a wilderness and the Indian tribes still roaming over the county. Mr. 
Gray purchased a claim and commenced improving a farm. The place 
was called Gray's Grove, the two brothers, John and Martin Gray, residing 
there. There was but one store in Maryville at that time, and that was 
kept in a log house. William relates an incident of going to mill to the 
Platte City Mills, below St. Joseph, when a boy, in company with two 
others. They were six weeks making the trip, and he came near freez- 
ing to death on his return. In the meantime the folks at home were 
subsisting on corn meal made on a hominy block. The hardships 
endured by the pioneers seemed enough to discourage and intimidate 
the most courageous. Mr. Gray has made this township his home since 
that time, and has taken an active part in improving it. During the 
war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. In March, 1853, he set- 
tled where he now resides ; he had taken it as a claim previous to this 
and made some improvements. He now owns 270 acres of well improved 
land, has a good orchard, a neat and comfortable residence, a barn and 
excellent feed lot with a never-failing spring in it. He has filled most of 
the district offices often. Mr. Gray has been twice married : First, April 
13, 1852, to Miss Nancy Ingalls, who died September 21, 1869, and 
left nine children, eight of whom are now living : James T., Wes- 
ley F., Martha E., (now Mrs. Wilson Hadley), John S., Mahala J., 
(now Mrs. George Loch), Austin S., Samuel G. and William T. He 
was married again to Mrs. Mary Shelton. She was born in Harrison 
County, Ohio, September 17, 1838. They have had five children, 
two of whom are now living : Edgar F. and Emmett O. Mrs. Gray has 
three children living by her former husband : Eva B., William R. and 
Albert L. Shelton. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the M. E. 
Church. 



-672 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL M. B. W. HARMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post office Pickering. Among the 
•enterprising and well to do citizens of Nodaway County, may be men- 
tioned the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears elsewhere. He 
was born in York County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1834, and when 
twelve years of age he entered a counting house, in which he remained 
some three years. He then accompanied his parents to Deleware 
County, Ohio, and obtained a position in a large salaratus factory, where 
after working for some four years, he became cashier and book keeper. 
He held this position two years, when he purchased a farm and com- 
menced improving it. In 1857, he became engaged as traveling agent 
with Henry Miller & Brothers, publishers, of Columbus, Ohio, and trav- 
eled for about four years through the Southern States. He was in Geor- 
gia when the war broke out, but soon returned to Deleware County, 
Ohio, and on the 28th of August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany E, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Chase, Ohio, 
under Colonel Moses B.Walker. He was soon promoted to sergeant 
major and assistant drill master. He served with the fourteenth army 
corps, and for gallant services rendered he was brevetted second, and 
afterwards first lieutenant and assistant quartermaster. At the battle of 
Chickamauga he saved the wagon train of the fourteenth army corps by 
his self possession and calmness. After this battle he was brevetted 
captain. At the battle of Altoona his regiment arrived in time to save 
the day, and he proved to be the ranking officer, the others having been 
killed or wounded. After this engagement he was brevetted major. Major 
Harman went through with General Sherman on his famous march to 
the sea, thence through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part 
in the grand review. His regiment — the Thirty-first Ohio — was mus- 
tered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 26, 1865. Out of 1,492 that went 
to the field, only 712 returned. They took part in twenty-two principal 
battles. When mustered out he held the position of lieutenant colonel 
and assistant quartermaster of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
At the battle of Trinity Station, Alabama, fought July 26, 1863, Mr. H. 
was wounded three times, and had eleven bullet holes through his cloth- 
ing. He carries one of the balls in his head at present. He served on 
the staffs of the following generals : Moses B. Walker, John M. Connell, 
George H. Thomas, Albin Schoepf, John D. Schofield, A. Baird, Carl 
Turchin and Jeff. C. Davis. At the close of the war he came west and 
purchased the land where he now resides, one mile and a-half south of 
Pickering. Since that time he has been improving his place, and now 
owns 400 acres, with a handsome residence and two excellent barns, the 
largest of which was erected to hold three hundred tons of hay. He 
also has a large orchard of some 900 trees. His firm is situated on the 



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LT. COL 31 s ? OHIO. VET. VOLS. & A. D. M 3»? DIV. 14 th * RMY CORPS. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 673 

bank of the One Hundred and Two River, and is well adapted to stock 
raising, in which branch he is largely interested, dealing in short horn 
Durham cattle, Jersey Red hogs and American Merino sheep. He has 
some of the finesc stock in the county, three head of his cattle being 
from the noted Thorndale family. He has some imported geese and 
some fine chickens, and, taking all in all, possesses one of the best and 
most complete stock farms in the county. He represented his district 
in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly of Missouri, and assisted in pass- 
ing some very important measures. He is a member of Pickering Lodge, 
No. 472, A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights 
of Honor, and Good Templars 1 Lodges. In character, as well as 
in purse, he is one of the solid men of the county. Mr. Harman was 
married January I, 1866, to Miss Rosana Baker. She was born in Law- 
rence County, Ohio, March 26, 1840. They have four children living: 
Cal., Lee, Nellie and Alice. Lost one : Linn. 

J. W. HARMAN, 

station agent and grain dealer, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, 
December 6, 1842. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to Delaware 
County, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood, spending his boyhood 
days on a farm and obtaining a good business education. When seven- 
teen he commenced traveling for Abbott Loomis & Co., of Columbus, 
Ohio, through the South, visiting all of the Southern states. He was at 
Washington City at the breaking out of the war, and heard Jeff. Davis' 
farewell address to the Senate. He was in Montgomery, Alabama, when 
Fort Sumter was fired on, but returned home and enlisted in Company 
E, Thirty-first Ohio, in 1862. He was taken sick with typhoid fever in 
the spring of 1863, and was discharged and sent home. Mr. H. then 
engaged in shipping stock until he regained his health. In December, 
1863, he received the appointment of assistant quartermaster of the third 
division of the fourteenth army corps, under General Thomas. He 
remained with General Thomas until the taking of Atlanta, when he 
accompanied General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and 
through the Carolinas to Richmond. He has the honor of being the first 
of Sherman's men to reach that place. He and four others were sent 
ahead with dispatches, but the four failed to make the crossing at the 
Appomatox River, Mr. Harman's horse swimming it and carrying him 
through safely. He also took part in the grand review at Washington. 
After being mustered out at that place, he returned to his old home, and 
in the fall of 1865 immigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, settling 
some six miles west of Hopkins. There he purchased 320 acres of wild 
land, and partially improved it. In 1867 he traded his land for a store 
in Xenia. and carried on the mercantile business two years, when he sold 



674 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

out to Donlin Brothers, and in 1872 accepted the position as station 
agent at Pickering with the K. C, St. J. & C. B. R. R. The town had 
just been established, and since that time he has been identified with the 
growth and prosperity of the place. He has been quite extensively 
engaged in the grain business, and during the year 1880 shipped some 
400 cars. He owns a tract of twenty acres adjoining the town of Picker- 
ing, and has a handsome residence. Mr. Harman is largely interested 
in raising thorough bred Jerseys, and has the best herd in the county. 
He has filled his present position of notary public for some twelve years, 
and has also held the offices of justice of the peace and school director. 
At present he is township trustee. For four years he was the post master 
of Pickering, and is at present secretary and librarian of the circulating 
library of this place. He is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. 
F. and A. M., in which he holds the office of senior warden. Mr. Harman 
was married January 1, 1866, to Miss Lydia E. Lytle. She was born in 
Washington County, Pennsylvania, in June, 1846. Two of his brothers 
and a sister were also married at the same house on the same day. Mr. 
and Mrs. H. have had two children : Minnie and Dale. Mrs. H. is a 
member of the M. E. Church ot Pickering. 

BENJAMIN W. KINNEY, 

farmer and millwright, section 3, was born in Genesee County, New 
York, on the 1st day of January, 1820. His father, Alexander, who was 
born in Connecticut, was a farmer by occupation. His mother, Sophrona 
(Bannister) Kinney, was a native of Vermont. Benjamin passed his 
youthful days on a farm, in Genesee County, New York, obtaining his 
education in the common schools. When twenty-two years of age, he 
commenced to learn the millwright's trade, which he has followed more 
or less through life. In May, 1862, he came to Missouri, locating in 
Nodaway County, where he now owns a farm of seventy-two acres, well 
watered, and upon the same is a handsome residence. He has some 
graded cattle, and keeps his farm well stocked. His orchard is an 
excellent one. This farm was one of the first settled in this vicinity, 
and was known as the Ingall's farm, in White Oak Grove. About the 
time Pickering was founded, Mr. Kinney, in company with others, started 
a wagon and farm implement factory in Pickering. He became one of 
the managers and a member of the executive committee, and, after run- 
ning for one year, he bought his other partners' interest, continuing the 
business for about three years. He then moved the tools to his farm, 
where he is still engaged in the wagon business. Mr. Kinney is Demo- 
cratic in politics. He was raised a Presbyterian in religious faith. In 
September, 1843, Miss Achsah Carson became his wife. She was a 
daughter of Andrew Carson, of New Jessey. They have two children. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 675 

Annie R. (now Mrs. James Coleman), born November 8, 1848, and James 
A., born in April, 1851. Mr. K. has held the office of justice of the 
peace. 

W. R. McKEE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, 
April 12, 1839, an d was reared at his birthplace until about thirteen 
years of age, spending his boyhood days on a farm and attending the 
neighborhood schools. In 18^3 he accompanied his parents to Pike 
County, Ohio, where he resided twenty years. When nineteen he com- 
menced improving a farm of his own, and has since given his attention 
to agricultural pursuits. He was largely interested in stock raising 
while in Ohio. In the fall of 1871 he emigrated to Missouri, settling 
some six miles below Maryville, and has been identified with the inter- 
ests of Nodaway County since that time. He located where he now 
resides in the spring of 1875, and is the owner of 160 acres of well 
improved land. It is watered by an excellent spring, and is one of the 
finest stock farms in the county. He has an excellent orchard, a good 
barn, residence, etc. Mr. McKee keeps a good deal of stock, and is 
largely interested in the business. He is an enterprising citizen, and 
holds the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. He has filled 
most of the township offices, with satisfaction to all parties interested. 
He is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M. Mr. 
McKee was married August 6, 1857, to Miss Cynthiana Roberts, a native 
of Pike County, Ohio. She was born March 6, 1839. They have six 
children living : Mary J. (now Mrs. W. I. Loch), William R., Margaret 
A., Samuel H., Nancy A., and Norton O. One is deceased. 

WILLIAM McVEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Henry County, Indiana, 
on the 9th day of July, 1843, and was a son of John and Ann Eliza 
(Rhodes) McVey. The father was a farmer and millwright, and a native 
of Ohio. The mother was born in New Jersey. William resided on the 
home farm until seven years of age, when he moved to Henry County, 
Iowa. There he was principally reared, and educated in the common 
schools. When seventeen years old he concluded to begin in life for 
himself, but finding it more difficult than he imagined, he returned home, 
where he remained until he was twenty-one. His first investment was 
to buy eighty acres of land in Page County, Iowa, for $100, afterwards 
selling the same for $1,000. During the war Mr. McVey served about 
nine months in the commissary department in Tennessee, and for about 
three months in Colorado. In 1875 he removed to Missouri, locating in 
this county in March of that year. He now owns 210 acres of land, upoa 



6/6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

which is a young orchard and a good vineyard. There is also a neat 
residence on the place. He keeps his farm well stocked, and is one of 
the go-ahead and industrious agriculturists of the township. Mr. McVey 
was married July 6, 1 871, to Miss Emma Cook, a worthy lady, daughter 
of Isaac Cook, of Henry County, Iowa. Their family consists of Dexter, 
born April 16, 1872 ; Roscoe, bom August 1, 1874; and Lelia, born April 
13, 1878. Mr. McVey has been school director about five years, and 
road overseer several terms. In his political views he is liberal. 

GEORGE W. NASH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born on the nth of December, 
1823, in Wayne County, Indiana. His father, Samuel C. Nash, a native 
of North Carolina, was a farmer and sailor. His mother, whose maiden 
name was Nancy Gray, was also born in North Carolina. George spent 
his youth upon a farm in Madison County, Indiana, attending the 
schools of those early times. In 1843, he came to Missouri, and on the 
8th of July, 1843, located in Nodaway County, near the town of Xenia. 
In the fall of that year he cast his first ballot, voting the straight Whig 
ticket. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, his 
capital consisting only of his willing hands and brave heart. That he 
made good use of this capital is shown by the position he occupies 
to-day. The early struggles of these pioneers can never by imagined 
by those who have never passed such an ordeal. The nearest trading 
point of Mr. Nash was at Savannah, Andrew County. He remembers 
an instance of himself and brother going to Andrew County to split 
rails in order to obtain corn to eat. A friend, William Ingalls, rook the 
corn to mill, and from there home to the boy's parents. When they 
returned they found the corn had been eaten or loaned to the neighbors, 
and they were obliged to earn more. In 1846 a report came to the set- 
tlers that the Mormons and Indians were contemplating an attack upon 
them. The citizens hurried to the towns for protection, among these 
being Mrs. Nash — George's mother — who shouldered her musket and 
marched to the front, determined to die game. The enemies, however, 
failed to put in an appearance. In the spring of 1862 Mr. N. moved to 
Taylor County, Iowa, where .he remained thirteen years. In the fall of 
1864 lie enlisted in Company C, Fourth Iowa Infantry, and marched 
through with Sherman to the sea, taking part in the grand review at 
Washington. He now owns 235 acres of land, with an orchard of 300 
trees and fine residence. He is engaged in stock raising, having one 
thoroughbred and some graded cattle, but gives his attention principally 
to sheep interests. He has held the offices of road overseer and school 
director. Mr. Nash was married on March 26, 1846, to Miss P. Pistole, 
daughter of Thomas J. Pistole, Esq, They have seven children : Elvina 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 6jJ 

(now Mrs. D. Boyer), born April 2, 1849 > William T., born December 
28, 185 1 ; John H., born February 7, 1854 ; Austin L., born November 
5, 1858 ; Timothy G., born February 23, 1863 ; Nora B., born August 18, 
1866, and Alta, born August 6, 1871. Mr. N. belongs to Pickering 
Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M. He is Democratic in politics, and 
belongs to the Christian Church. 

A. H. PATTERSON, 

dealer in harness, saddles and saddlery hardware, was born in Seneca 
County, New York, October 28, 1848, and is of Scottish-English origin- 
He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm 
and attending the neighborhood schools, cempleting his education at 
the Union Schools of Newark, Wayne County, New York, under Prof. 
Steel, the celebrated chemist. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 
Fiftieth New York Engineering Corps, when only thirteen years of age, 
as a drummer boy, and served until the close of the war. He was at the 
following battles : Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, second evacuation of 
Harper's Ferry, Petersburg, Battle of the Wilderness, and all the impor- 
tant engagements in which the Army of the Potomac were engaged. His 
drum corps took part in the grand review at Washington, in which they 
took the first premium, and were called back to be reviewed the second 
time. Mr. P. held the position of first drummer next to the drum-major. 
In 1866 he commenced to learn the harness-maker's trade, at Geneva, 
New York, under Charles H. Mead. At the expiration of the first year 
he was made foreman of the shops, and in 1869 he purchased the shops 
and carried on a large business until August 7, 1875, when he sold out 
and moved west. He remained a season at Albia, Monroe County, 
Iowa, engaged in mercantile pursuits, after which he took a trip through 
Nebraska, then coming to Nodaway County, Missouri. He settled at 
Pickering, where he started a harness shop, and has since carried on a 
thriving business, though having had to commence with a limited amount 
of capital. He has a neat and handily arranged shop, and being an excel- 
lent workman, finds plenty of employment. Mr. P. is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 347, of Pickering, in which he holds the office* of 
right scene supporter. He has been a member of the G. A. R. since 
1865. 

JAMES C. PISTOLE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born on his present farm in Nod- 
away County, Missouri, on the 20th day of March, 1850, and is the son 
of Thomas J. and Lucinda (Long) Pistole. The former was born in Vir- 
ginia, and was an agriculturist. The latter was a native of Tennessee. 
James passed his youth on the place where he nowresides, attending the 



6/$ BIOGRAPHICAL. 

old log school house. In 1 870 he started out in business for himself, 
having 160 acres of land, one horse and cow, and about $700 in money. 
He has kept steadily at work, making no stir, but moving on quietly and 
industriously, until his present landed estate consists of 450 acres, upon 
which is an excellent residence, barn, orchard, etc. He has considerable 
graded stock and one thoroughbred, and raises quite an amount. Mr. P. 
held the office of township assessor, and when his term expired, the people, 
recognizing his ability, honored him with the position of county assessor. 
He was elected in the fall of 1878 for a two year's term. He is Demo- 
cratic in politics. His marriage occurred on November 1, 1874, to Miss 
Margaret M. Garten, daughter of Thomas N. Garten, of this township. 
They have three children : Ada E.,born September 23, 1875 ; Walter T., 
born June 16, 1878 ; and Joseph, born September 29, 1880. Mr. Pistole 
is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M., in which he 
holds the position of master of the lodge. 

PETER A. SARE, 

dealer in agricultural implements, furniture, etc., was born in Monroe 
County, Indiana, on the 11th day of September, 1837, and is the son of 
L. B. and Jennie (Carmichael) Sare. The former was born in Kentucky, 
and was engaged in farming. The latter was a native of North Carolina. 
Peter was educated in the common schools, spending his younger days 
on a farm in Monroe County, Indiana. In 1856 he came to Missouri, set- 
tling some distance south of Maryville, where he remained five years, 
then returning to Indiana. In 1867 he again came to this county, and 
located about four miles west of Pickering. Mr. Sare may almost be 
called a pioneer, coming here, as he did and becoming so familiar with 
the early settlement of the county — his return after his long absence 
only tended to strengthen his interest for his old acquaintances. He is 
doing a good business in this town, and besides those above mentioned, 
is conducting a butcher shop. He owns the most of one block, three 
residences and a store building in Pickering, besides seven acres adjoin- 
ing the corporation. He is most decidedly an enterprising citizen, and 
contributes his full share towards building up and improving the place. 
He has held the position of treasurer of the town. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Sare was mar- 
ried March 22, 1855, to Miss Mary A. Storm, a daughter of Peter Storm, 
of Greene County, Indiana. They have nine. children : James F., born 
December 14, 1856; John I., born February 6, 1859; L. J., (now Mrs 
James Knowles), born May 20, 1861 ; Margaret A., born August 1, 1863 
Mary E., born September 26, 1865; Bonaparte S., born May 15, 1868 
Martha A., born July 26, 1870; Cora E., born June 30, 1874; and Ira E. 
born November 8, 1878. Mr. Sare is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No 
347, I. O. < ). F., of Pickering. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 679 

DR. AMOS D. SARGENT, 

physician and surgeon, also farmer on section 32, is among the early 
settlers and /-well known citizens of Nodaway County. He was born in 
Hudson, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, February 3, 18 14, and 
was taken by his parents to Troy, New York, and thence to Auburn, of 
the same state, where he remained some eight years. His father ran a 
boat on the canal, and when Amos became nine years of age he com- 
menced to accompany him on his trips. The father was afterward taken 
sick, and died. Amos run the boat one season, and then returned to 
Hudson, New Hampshire, with his mother. Soon afterwards, he went 
on board a vessel, and remained for one year, when he was taken sick, 
and sent to New York, and thence to his old home in New Hampshire. 
He next took a trip up the lakes, on board of the same vessel with Gen- 
eral Scott, who was conducting the Black Hawk War, in 1838. He 
visited Chicago, St. Louis and many other places in the Great Missis- 
sippi Valley, and finally settled in Aurora, Illinois, going from there to 
La Porte, Indiana, where he commenced the study of medicine. He 
began the practice of his profession at Edwardsborough, Indiana, then 
moved to Lima, and thence to Ontario. He remained in Indiana until 
November, i860, when he located in Southern Missouri, subsequently, 
went to Butler, Illinois, and then to Ashtabula, Ohio. After residing in 
Galesburg, Illinois, for a time, he moved to Boonesboro, Iowa, where he 
remained three years, then came overland to Xenia, Nodaway County, 
Missouri, in 1866. He has been engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion here since. In 1869, he settled on the farm where he now resides, 
owning 100 acres in all — eighty acres in the home farm. He has a neat 
and comfortable residence, and other out-buildings, and a small orchard 
and vineyard. Dr. S. has partially retired from the practice, on account 
of his age and the inconveniences of getting around. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. He was married April 22, 1838, to Miss 
Lizzie Worthing. She was born at New Hampton, New Hampshire, 
January 4, 1818. They were married in Concord, New Hampshire, and 
the next morning after their marriage, started west over the Green 
Mountains by coach. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent have four children living: 
Ann L. (now Mrs. Titus R. DeWolf, of this county), Franciva A. (now 
Mrs. B. C. Willey, of Ashtabula County, Ohio), Dana A. (a leading physi- 
cian of Hopkins), and Grace. 

MARTIN SHELMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post office Pickering, was born in 
Breckenridge County, Kentucky, in November, 18 17, and was the son o{ 
Adam and Mary (Hays) Shelman. The former, a farmer by occupation, 



680 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was a native of Virginia, and the latter also of that state. Martin 
passed his youth on a farm at his birthplace, receiving an education 
from the old common schools of that day. In 1842 he settled in Van 
Buren County, Ohio, and remained there until he came to this county in 
the spring of 1856. He was an early settler, is now widely known 
throughout the county, and has the respect of many acquaintances. He 
has done much toward building up and making his adopted county one 
of the best in the state, and has never been behind in any good work. 
He owns 215 acres of land, well watered, and upon it is a good orchard 
and comfortable residence. He keeps some stock on the place. His 
youngest son, Lysander, runs the farm, and under his management 
nothing is left undone. During the war, Mr. Shelman, unable himself to 
go into the field, assisted in caring for the widows of soldiers and in 
other good causes. He is Democratic in politics, and stands high for 
his morality. He was married January 7, 1838, to Miss Melinda Bar- 
low, a daughter of Wilber Barlow, who was a native of one of the New 
England states. Their family consists of Nancy (now Mrs. Julius 
Wheeler), born April 17, 1839 '■> John M., aged thirty-five ; Marion A., 
aged thirty-three ; Franklin P., aged twenty-nine ; Acy A. (now Mrs. 
W. Thompson), aged twenty-five ; Margaret (now Mrs. G. W. Jackson), 
aged twenty-three ; Amezette, aged twenty-three, and Lysander, aged 
twenty-one. Mr. Shelman has filled most of the township offices. 

CHARLES P. SHROYER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post office Hopkins, was born in 
Mercer County, Illinois, on the nth day of July, 1844, being the son of 
John and Mary (Meadows) Shroyer. His father, who was an agricultur- 
ist, was a native of Dayton, Ohio, and his mother was born in Indiana. 
Charles passed his youth on a farm in Mercer County, Illinois, obtaining 
an education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In January, 
1874, he became a resident of Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, 
where he now owns 260 acres of land, upon which is an excellent barn 
and a neat, comfortable house. A wind pump supplies the place with 
water. He is quite largely interested in stock raising, and has graded 
stock and some thoroughbred sheep. Mr. Shroyer has held the posi- 
tions of school director and road overseer. He was married March 16, 
1866, to Miss L. B. West, a daughter of H. R. West, a native of Ken- 
tucky. They have six children : Clara A., born February 8, 1867 ; Joseph 
R., born May 7, 1868; Effie, born August 4, 1870; Charles W., born 
December 18, 1871 ; Laura, born August 21, 1876, and Sarah A., born 
February 14, 1878. Mr. Shroyer is a member of the M. E. Church. He 
is Democratic in politics, and has done his share towards developing the 
richness of Nodaway County. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 68 1 

J. F. SIMMONS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born on the 22d of January, 1855, 
and is a native of Warren County, Illinois. His father, John Simmons, was 
a farmer by occupation, and was born in Kentucky. His mother, whose 
maiden name was Ruth Jarred, was a native of Virginia. J. F. passed 
his early years on a farm in Illinois, receiving the benefits of a common 
school education. In the fall of 1873 he came to Missouri, locating in 
Nodaway County, and is now the owner of 120 acres of improved land, 
watered, and upon which is a good orchard and dwelling. He raises 
considerable stock. Mr. Simmons commenced in life without means, 
and has worked his own way to his present position only by persever- 
ance and industry. He has held the position of road overseer and school 
director. He was married on the 5th of March, 1S75, to Sarah Simmons, 
daughter of James Simmons, of Illinois. They have one child, Pearly, 
born November 5, 1881. Two are deceased. Mr. Simmons is Demo- 
cratic in politics. 

EDWARD VAN BUREN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 8, a pioneer of Nodaway County, was 
born in Leicester, Livingston County, New York, on February 1, 1819, 
and was a son of Barnard and Barbara (Wood) Van Buren. The former 
was born in New York in 1780, and was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. Edward's mother was a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts. 
Young Van Buren was brought up on a farm, in New York State, until 
nineteen years of age, obtaining an education in the common schools. 
In 1838, he removed to Warren County, Illinois, and on the 1st of 
v March, 1853, located in Nodaway County, Missouri. At that time there 
was but one house on the road between his place and Maryville, and no 
buildings north to the state line., He entered the land on which he now 
resides, and at present owns 159 acres, upon it there being a good resi- 
dence and. barn, and an orchard of over 200 trees. Mr. Van Buren is 
largely interested in stock raising, having given this his principal atten- 
tion. The first school house in this vicinity was erected on a part of his 
land, in 1859. The ground is now used for a cemetery. He attended 
the first lot sale in the City of St. Joseph. Having been among the 
early settlers here, he numbers his friends and acquaintances by the 
score, and possesses the respect and esteem of many. In politics he is 
a Republican, and has filled the positions of school director and road 
overseer. During the war, he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. 
Mr. Van Buren was married, December 8, 1843, to Miss Polly Ann 
Farris, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles Farris. Their 
family consists of: William, born January 15, 1846; Lydia (now Mrs. 
Thomas Taylor), born December 8, 1847; James J., born November 23,' 



682 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

1849; Eliza E. (now Mrs. M. Shelman), born January 26, 1852; Belinda 
(now Mrs. M. Coleman), born April 24, 1854; Mary C, born May 2, 
1857; Martin, born September 22, 1859; Sarah E., born February 22, 
1862, (now Mrs. Jasper Wakefield) ; John F., born June 10, 1864; Charles 
H., born April 17, 1866, and Cora, born June 12, 1872. Mr. Van Buren 
is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M, of Maryville, 
and also belongs to Nodaway Lodge, No. 347, I. O. O. F., of Pickering. 
He has been a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity since 1856, and of 
the Masonic lodge since 1858. He assisted in organizing two Masonic 
and one Odd Fellow lodges. 

MILES WALLIS, 

proprietor of the Pickering Hotel, was born in Steuben County, New 
York, March 8, 1810, and was there reared to manhood, receiving fair 
educational advantages. In 183 1 he took a trip to Michigan, and trav- 
eled about 1,200 miles, having but $27 when he started. Returning to 
his native county with $250, he settled on a tract of unbroken land, 
which he afterwards sold, then moved to Erie County, New York, where 
he purchased another farm, but soon disposed of that at an advance of 
$500. He subsequently bought more property, and upon selling made 
$200, after which he became the owner of a set of mills. These he dis- 
posed of, making a profit of $300. Mr. Wallis was also engaged in the 
mercantile business for two years, in Cataraugus County, New York. In 
1837 he served in what was known as the Canada Patriot War, hold- 
ing the position of captain of a company of state militia. In 1842 he 
exchanged some property for a farm of 320 acres in Genesee County. 
New York, on which he settled. He was elected magistrate in 1843, 
filling the position for sixteen years. He also held the office of judge, 
discharging the duties thereof for one year. Immigrating west in the 
spring of 1877, he landed at Pickering June 24th of the same year, and 
subsequently purchased the hotel at this place, fitting it up in excellent 
•condition. He is now the owner of 1,000 acres of land in Shannon 
County, Missouri, and some property in this town. He has filled the 
position of mayor, and acted as president of the library association, hav- 
ing been one of the founders of that institution, to which he gave forty 
volumes of standard works. He is a member of Pickering Lodge No. 
472, A. F. and A. M., also of Pickering Lodge No. 347, I. O. O. F. He has 
always contributed liberally toward the support of the gospel. He has 
been twice married : First, January 9, 1838, to Miss Lavina Tullar, of 
Penfield, Monroe County, New York, born October 4, 1815. She died in 
May, 1855, leaving six children, three of whom are now living : Louisa 
M., William M. and Frank M. Mr. W. was married again in November, 
1856. to Mrs. Jane E. Wilkey. She died on the 19th of August, 1874. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 683 

WILLIAM M. WALLIS, 

physician and surgeon, was born in Genesee County, New York, Janu- 
ary 12, 1848, and was reared at his birthplace, receiving his literary 
education in the schools of his native count)', principally at Alexander. 
Making choice of the practice of medicine as his profession, he com- 
menced its study in the fall of 1867, and took three courses of lectures 
at the University of Buffalo, New York, during the winters of 1868-9 
and 1870, receiving his diploma in February, 1871. At the close of the 
last course, he began the practice of his profession at Alabama, Genesee 
County, New York, where he remained some three months. He then 
took the western fever and immigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
settling at Xenia in September, 1871. There he stopped until June, 
1872, when he moved to Pickering, and is one of the pioneers of the 
place. In his manners he is much of a gentleman, and possesses the 
most thorough qualifications as a physician. He has an extensive 
practice, as he well deserves, and owns a neat office and a handsome 
residence in Pickering. He also owns a fine farm of 220 acres, and in 
partnership with his brother is largely interested in sheep raising, 
dealing in thoroughbred Cotswold. He was one of the first members of 
the board of trustees of this place, and has since held some of the offices 
on the board. He is an active member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. 
F. and A. M., and has filled the position as master of the lodge for some 
four years. Dr. Wallis is an enterprising, energetic citizen, and is always 
found ready to assist in elevating the interests of the county. He was 
married April 28, 1875, to Miss Augusta Leach. She was born in Cayuga 
County, New York, September 11, 1847. They have two children: 
Frank C. and William M. 

JAMES A. WILEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 6, was born on the 7th of October, 1838, 
in Noble County, Ohio, being the son of Jacob Wiley, a farmer, and a 
native of Ohio, and Mary (Woodford) Wiley, who was born in Tennes- 
see. James passed his youth on the farm in Ohio, and attended the 
common schools until fifteen years of age, when he removed to Warren 
County, Iowa. During the war he enlisted in company H, Thirty-fourth 
Iowa, and participated in Sherman's raid on Vicksburg and at the battle 
of Arkansas Post. In 1868, he removed from Warren County to Mis- 
souri, locating in Nodaway County in October of that year. Here he 
owns 320 acres of land well improved, with orchard, residence, barn, 
etc., all in good condition. He raises quite an amount of stock. Mr. 
Wiley commenced in business on his own account when twenty years 
of age, and that he has been industrious and persevering is shown by 
the position he at present occupies. This was not attained by the help 



684 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

of others, but through his own exertions, and he merits his success. He 
is Democratic in politics, and belongs to the M. E. Church. Mr. Wiley 
was married October 21, 1857, to Miss L. J. Allen, daughter of William 
Allen, a native of Harrison County, Missouri. Their family consists of 
eight children : William F., born August 18, 1858 : Mary M., born July 
20, i860; Andrew J., born April 18, 1864; Lurinda A., born May 21, 
1866 ; Jonathan E., born November 14, 1868 ; Arthur, born July 1, 1871; 
Jacob, born June 1, 1874 ; Luella, born October 1, 1876. Mr. Wiley has 
held the positions of road overseer and school director. 

CHARLES A. WOLFERS, 

dealer in general merchandise, hardware, etc., was born in Chautauqua 
County, New York, July 21, 1846, and remained at the place of his nativ- 
ity until twenty-two years of age, spending his boyhood days in the 
villages of Centerville and Fredonia, and receiving excellent educational 
advantages. He commenced to learn the cigarmaker's trade when thir- 
teen, and followed it for four years. During the late war he enlisted in 
Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh New York Volunteer 
Infantry, in the spring of 1864, and served until the close of the war, 
some thirteen months, and during this time held the position of sergeant. 
He took part in many of the hard fought battles, among which were 
Hatchez Run and the engagement before Petersburg, and assisted in the 
capture of General Lee's army. He also participated in the grand review 
at Washington. After being mustered out at Buffalo, New York, he 
returned to his home at Dunkirk, New York, and commenced railroad- 
ing in the employ of the^Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, with whom 
he remained some five years. In 1870, he immigrated west to St. Joseph, 
Missouri, where he accepted a position with the Kansas City, St. Joseph 
& Council Bluffs Railroad, continuing in the employ of this company six 
years, after which he engaged in the hotel business. For one year he 
kept the Hopkins House, and then came to Pickering, where he opened 
a general merchandise store. He now carries the largest and most com- 
plete stock of goods in the village, and has the patronage of many 
acquaintances. In his business capacity, he is an excellent salesman. 
Mr. Wolfers also holds the position of postmaster in the place. Besides 
his store and property, he owns a neat residence in Pickering. He has 
been entirely a ,-,elf-made man, and has worked his way through life by 
honesty, integrity and fair dealing. He takes an interest in educational 
matters, and at present fills the position of school director. Mr. W. was 
married July 5, 1867, to Miss Eliza A. Crandall, a native of Belmont, 
Allegany County, New York. She was born October 27, 1849. They 
have a family of three children living : Edward C, Annice E. and Mar)-. 
Two arc deceased. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 685 

WILLIAM W. WRAY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 28, another old settler of this county, 
was born in Gallia County, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1836, and was 
the son of John and Sarah F. (Wiseman) Wray. The former, a farmer 
by occupation, was a native of Virginia, and in that state was William's 
mother also born. Young Wray spent his youth on a farm at his birth- 
place, and attended the common schools until about eighteen years of 
age, when in the fall of 1853 he removed to Missouri. In November of 
that year he came to Nodaway County. His parents first settled seven 
miles from Maryville, then a small village, and when saloons were the 
prominent business houses. The first fall after locating here he and his 
father killed twenty-five deer, game of all kinds being very plentiful. A 
large dressed turkey was worth but twenty-five cents. Mr. Wray occa- 
sionally indulged in hunting, but the most of his spare time was passed 
in splitting rails. When about twenty-two years old he commenced in 
business for himself, by teaching and working by the month. He has 
risen to his present condition through his own habits of industry, econ- 
omy, etc. Is now the owner of 415 acres of land, in 200 of which his 
mother has an interest. His farm is well adapted to stock raising, in 
which he is largely interested. The place is supplied with good water 
facilities, and there is also an orchard, barn, etc. Mr. Wray has held 
the position of township supervisor, and for some nine months acted as 
ex-officio county judge. He has been township treasurer and clerk for 
five years, and during his term of office the township erected four school 
houses. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church. 
Mr. W: was married March 31, 1861, to Miss Sarah E., a daughter of J. 
and Nancy Shelman. They have ten children : Bayard T., born January 
10, 1862 ; Edward P., born November 15, 1863 ; John B., born March 14, 
1865 ; William, born February 19, 1867; Henry H., born June 28, 1869 
Wilbur W., born April 17, 187 1 ; George Thomas, born May 21, 1874 
Clara E. M., born February 1, 1876; Fred. A., born September 3, 1877 
and Irene, born April 28, 1881. The mother of Mrs. Wray lives with her 
son and daughter. She is in her seventy-sixth year, and enjoys good 
health. 



->>4iiSfefe!^H 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 



JOSEPH T. ANDERSON, 



proprietor of Park Livery Stable and dealer in stock, was born in 
Marion County, Missouri, November 24, 1844, and, when eleven years old, 
with his parents, he moved to Lewis County. His father being a miller, 
Joseph was brought up to learn that business, which he followed, till the 
beginning of the war, in Lewis County, at the point now known as 
Hall's Mill. In 1862, he enlisted in the Federal cause, in Company F, 
Sixty-ninth Missouri Mounted Infantry, remaining in service till the 
close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then went 
west, to the mountains, visiting a number of the territories, and spend- 
ing the greater part of his time in Utah, where he was employed by the 
Union Pacific Railroad Company to oversee in the work on the road for 
two years. He returned to Lewis County, Missouri, in the fall of 1870, 
and in the following spring he came to Nodaway County, locating on a 
farm, where he was for some time engaged in agricultural pursuits and 
dealing in stock. In the summer of 1879, he erected his present livery 
barn, which was opened to the public in June of the same year. It is 
so arranged as to accommodate the stabling of eighty horses, and is 
considered one of the best liveries in Northwest Missouri. Mr. Ander- 
son's main pride is in keeping fine horses and the best of buggies. He 
was, for some time in the early history of the town, engaged in business 
as one of the firm of Hotaling & Co. During the past year he erected 
a fine residence, which is unsurpassed by any within the township. He 
is the owner and founder of Anderson's Mineral Well, the water of 
which is very pure, yet possessing all the essential minerals. An analy- 
sis and notice of this is made elsewhere. Mr. A. is a member of 
the Masonic, I. O. O. F., I. O. G. T. and A. O. U. W. orders. He was 
married April 4, 1865, to Miss Margeret J. McGee, of Lewis County, 
Missouri. She was born in February, 1850, and died in March, 1868. 
They had two children, one of whom is now living, William E., born 
May 2, [866. He was married, the second time, March 29, 1870, to Miss 
Mary L. Fisher, who was born in Lewis County, Missouri, February 
8, 185 1. They have had seven children, but four of whom survive: 
Verdie M., John F., George N. and an infant. 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 68 J 

J. F. BAINUM, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 7, post office Burlington Junction, was 
born July 15, 1844, in Noble County, Ohio. In 1858 he came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, where he has since been recognized as one of her 
leading agriculturists. He received the advantage of a good school edu- 
cation, and during life has taught school, in all seventy-two months. 
While in his native county he was engaged in working in a tobacco 
packing house. In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Fourth Mis- 
souri State Militia, and remained in service till April, 1865, when he 
returned to Nodaway County. Since the war he has improved three 
farms, and now is living on the one last opened, and which contains 350 
acres. The appearance of things around his place denotes the energy and 
enterprise of the owner. Mr. Bainum is a member of the A. O. U. W. 
He was married November 25, 1869, to Miss Paulina A. Walker, who 
was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 20, 1853. They have six child- 
ren : Olive, Jesse, James S., Herbert L., Eliza E., and an infant. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are both members of the M. E. Church. John Bainum, the 
father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Delaware, and a pio- 
neer of Nodaway County. He was killed during the war while lieuten- 
ant of the Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. The mother of Mr. John Bainum, 
Mrs. Jane Bainum, 'whose maiden name was Scott, is a native of Ohio, 
and is now residing with her son. She is over eighty years of age. 

RICHARD M. BLACK, 

farmer, section 28, post office Burlington Junction, was born in Warren 
County, Illinois, March 12, 1842, and was truly a pioneer of that county, 
as it was then in an unimproved condition. He was reared in his native 
county, and in the year 1861 he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he 
enlisted in the First Iowa Battery. After taking part in many of the 
important battles of the war, he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, 
on September 12, 1864. After this he returned to Warren County, Illi- 
nois, where he remained till February, 1869, when he sought to find a 
home further west. For a short time he stopped in Montgomery 
County, Iowa, and from there went to Linn County, Kansas. In Octo- 
ber, of the same year, he located in Nodaway County, Missouri, where 
he has since continued to reside, his farm containing eighty acres. Mr. 
Black was married November 23, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Gibson, a native 
of Guernsey County, Ohio. She was born November 29, 1841. They 
have had five children, four of whom are living : Minnie A., Lillie V., 
Samuel A., and Sherman E. Mr. B.'s parents, Samuel J. and Phcebe 
(Paddock) Black, who were natives of Kentucky, were among the first 
settlers of Illinois. 



688 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ABRAHAM BOOMER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, is a native of Switzerland, and was 
born November 12, 1834. He was reared in the town of Burney,, where 
he received a fair education, and in 1852 he came to America, landing 
in New Orleans on the 1st of January, 1853. He soon located in Greene 
County, Indiana, where he was engaged in working by the month on a 
farm till 1857. In April of the same year he was married to Miss Lydia 
Overman. They then located on a farm where Mr. B. was engaged in 
tilling the soil till 1861, when he moved to Macon County, Illinois, and 
in 1865 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He resided in or near 
Maryville till 1872, when he located on the farm which he now occupies. 
His farm now contains 250 acres, all of which is the saving of his own 
labor and judicious management. Mrs. Booher was born in August, 
1835, in Greene County, Indiana. The family of Mr. and Mrs. B. consists 
of five children living : Isaac, Benjamin, Abraham, Maggie and Ellen, 
all at home. Two are deceased. 

M. C. BRAMBLET, 

of the firm of Bramblet & Castlaw, hardware merchants, was born in 
Ross County, Ohio, September 7, 1843. He was reared in his native 
county, and received an excellent education. When but eighteen years 
of age, on the 4th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, First Ohio 
Heavy Artillery, entering as private. He was mustered out as second 
lieutenant July 20, 1865. Returning to Ross County, Ohio, he was 
engaged in working at the carpenter's trade till the fall of 1867, when he 
emigrated to Nebraska, and in the following spring came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and continued his chosen calling for some length of 
time. He subsequently purchased a farm, and was engaged in farming 
and dealing in stock till the summer of 1879, but remained in the stock 
business till recently. At the time Burlington Junction was estab- 
lished, he formed a partnership with J. T. Anderson, and was engaged 
in the livery business till October, 1880. He was also connected with 
the firm of Hotaling & Co., in the lumber business. In July, 1881, Mr. 
B. began in his present business. He was elected to the office of town- 
ship collector, and at present is a member of the A. O. U. W. His father, 
William, and his mother, Mary (Barbara) Bramblet, were natives of Ohio. 

J. B. BROWN. 

farmer and stock dealer, section 2, post office Burlington Junction, was 
born December 29, 1844, his mother's home being in Anderson County, 
Tennessee. There he was reared and educated. In [862 he espoused 
the Federal cause and enlisted in Battery D, of the First Heavy Artillery 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 689 

of Tennessee, remaining in service for twenty-three months, when he 
was mustered out at Nashville. In 1869 he moved to his present location, 
where he has since resided. He has followed farming from boyhood, and 
now owns forty acres of land that will compare with any in the county. 
He is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, U. D., of the Masonic 
fraternity. Mr. Brown was married April 15, 1866, to Miss M. E. Moore. 
She was born in the same county as himself, November 23, 1847, and was 
there reared and educated. They have three children : Flora B., Myrtie 
and French L. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
Brown's father, William, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, 
Malinda (Overton) Brown, came from Tennessee. 

JOEL D. BROGAN, 

farmer, section 20, post office Wilcox, was born in Claiborne County, 
Tenn., March 20, 1828, and was reared in his native state, and has fol- 
lowed farming from boyhood. In 1854, he came to Nodaway County, 
Mo., where he has since resided, and has improved his present farm 
which contains 180 acres. He was married April 12, 1855, to Miss Docia 
Whitton, who was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, November, 13, 
1829. They have seven children: Sarah Margaret, born June 6, 1856: 
Malinda Clementine, born April 20, 1858; Mary Elizabeth, born March 
5, i860; John Wesley, born June 9, 1862 ; Redman Birdwell, born June 
12, 1866 ; Ada May, born May 30, 1869, and Jennie, born April 21, 1877. 
In 1862, Mr. Brogan enlisted in Company C, of the Fourth Missouri 
State Militia Cavalry and remained in service till the spring of 1865, 
doing efficient duty as a soldier. 

JAMES BRYANT 

is a native of the State of Indiana, and was born at the Narrows of Sugar 
Creek, in Parke County, January 25, 1827. He is a son of Gabriel 
and Phcebe (Marsh) Bryant, the former a native of Bryant's Station, 
Kentucky, and the latter of New Jersey. James was reared in his native 
county till fourteen years of age, when he went to. Montgomery County, 
of the same state, where he served an apprenticeship at the tanner's 
trade, which he followed in Pleasant Hill a short time. He was there 
married by Rev. William Campbell to Miss Sarah Mcjimsey, on the 31st 
•day of December, 1848. In 1849 Mr. B. moved to Colfax, Indiana, the 
town at that time being named Midway. He was one of its pioneers, 
and re-named the town in the honor of ex-Vice President Colfax. Mr. 
B. carried on the tannery business in that locality until 1854, when, on 
account of his failing health, he was compelled to seek another employ- 
ment and location.; consequently he moved to Fountain Count)-, Indi- 



69O BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ana, and settled on a farm, where he was engaged in tilling the soil til? 
1868, at which time he returned to Montgomery County. There he 
resumed the same calling till 1880, and from that tirue to the present 
he has been a citizen of Burlington Junction, Missouri, and has been 
engaged in improving property, building houses, etc. All have become 
a credit to the city of Burlington Junction. Mrs. Bryant is a native of 
Ohio, and was born April 19, 1831. She resided in her native state till 
nine years of age, when, with her parents, she moved to Indiana. She 
is a daughter of John and Mary A. Heizer. The former of Virginia, 
and the latter of Pennsylvania. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant 
consisted of eleven children, five of whom are living : John H., Alice 
B. (now Mrs. J. G. Kerr, who resides in Pleasant Hill, Indiana), James 
H., Josiah J., and Willie M. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

BRYANT & CHARLES, 

printers, and editors of the Burlington Junction Post. This firm is com- 
posed of J. H. Bryant and Will. C. Charles. The senior member of the 
firm, Mr. Bryant, is a son of James Bryant (mention of whom is made 
elsewhere). He was born in Pleasant Hill, Montgomery County, Indiana, 
September 31, 1849, and was educated in the county schools. He 
improved his youthful days on a farm, after which he was engaged for 
three years in teaching school. In 1878 he moved to Maryville, where 
he began work in the interest of the Maryville Republican, his assistance 
adding much in the building up of that paper's circulation, he having 
canvassed the entire county of Nodaway. Mr. Bryant continued as an 
employee of the office of the Republican for over one year, when he 
purchased an interest in his present office and became a partner of Prof. 
B. A. Dunn, the firm name being J. H. Bryant & Co. Prof. Dunn was 
succeeded by Will. C. Charles in December, 1880, and since then it has 
gone under the present firm name. Mr. Bryant is a member of the fol- 
lowing societies : Burlington Lodge No. 442, A. F. and A. M., Burling- 
ton Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F., Burlington Lodge No. 215, A. O. U. W., 
and Nodaway Valley Lodge No. 478, I. O. G. T. He was married Jan- 
uary 1, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Bever, a daughter of Mathias C. and Mary 
A. (Elmore) Bever. The former was a native of Ohio, and was born 
February 14, 1826. Mrs. Mary Bever was a native of Indiana, born 
March 15, 1829. Mrs. Bryant was born in the same vicinity as her hus- 
band, February 4, 1855. She was reared,- educated and married in her 
native county. They have three children: Fred. E., James II. and 
Mark C. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. Will. C. 
Charles, of the above firm, was born in San Francisco, California, Febru- 
ary 15, 1856. His father, Capt. Thomas C. Charles, was a native of Ken- 
tucky, and was for a number of years a captain on the Mississippi Packet 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 69 1 

Line. Will's mother, (whose maiden name was Margaret E. McPaven), 
was a native of Mississippi. She died when he was but a child, and when 
he was about 14 years of age he went to Litchfield, Illinois, where he 
resided some two years. His father's death then occurred, after which 
he was a resident of various localities. Mr. Charles' education was 
obtained principally in San Francisco, California, and Booneville, Mis- 
souri. Since attaining his sixteenth year he has been engaged in differ- 
ent occupations, among which was that of a peanut boy on the Illinois 
Central Railroad, his route being from Centralia, Illinois, to Dubuque, 
Iowa. In 1873 he began work in the Republican office in Maryville, 
Missouri, and in that office he learned the trade at which he is now 
employed. There he remained till the spring of 1879, when he went to 
St. Joseph and worked in C. P. Kingsbury's job office till the spring of 
1880, at which date he went 'to Burlington Junction and worked for J. 
H. Bryant & Co. till he became associated with that gentleman, forming 
the present firm. Mr. Charles is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge 
No. 442, A. F. and A. M., Burlington Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F., and 
Nodaway Valley Lodge No. 478, I. O. G. T. 

WILLIAM BUSH, 

farmer, section 2, post office Burlington Junction The subject of this 
sketch is a native of Germany, and was born March 16, 1838. When 
about fifteen years of age he came to America, landing at New York 
City, in the year 1853, and soon located in Stephenson County, Illinois. 
He was educated in the German schools principally, while in Germany. 
His father being a miller, William was also reared in that business till 
the time of his immigration to America, and since then he has followed 
farming. In 1865, he moved to Hardin County, Iowa, where he remained 
till the spring of 1872, when he moved to his present location. His 
landed estate consists of 205 acres, all of which he has earned himself. 
In 1 861, he enlisted during the war in Company G, Forty-sixth Illinois, 
and remained in service for twenty-six months, participating in many of 
the most important battles fought during that time. January 1, 1868, 
Mr. Bush was married to Miss Matilda Neidel. She was born in Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1848, and came to Illinois when five years 
of age. In 1866, she moved to Iowa where her marriage occurred. Mr. 
and Mrs. B., have a family of five children : Willie H. L., born October 
2o, 1868 ; Charley F., born July 23, 1870; Geo. R., born March 21, 1872 ; 
Albert P., born June 6, 1874, and Harvey E., born November 9, 1876. 

JOSEPH CARTER, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 25, post office Burlington Junction, was 
born in Union County, Ohio, October 23, 1818. He was reared in his 



692 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

native county and there resided till 1856, when he emigrated to Bremer 
County, Iowa, remaining as a citizen of that county till 1865. He then 
came to Nodaway County. He has followed farming from boyhood, 
and now is the owner of a farm consisting of 372 acres, conveniently 
located and improved. In February, 1840, he was married to Miss Ann 
Wilson, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in the year 1822. She 
died August 24, 1878. They had nine children, seven of whom are living, 
William, James, Marcus, French, Fay, Joseph, and Mary. 

WILLIAM J. CARTER, 

stock dealer and agriculturist, section 27, post office Burlington Junction. 
The subject of this sketch is the possessor of 240 acres of land, and 
resides within three and a half miles of Burlington Junction. He was 
born in Union County, Ohio, March 10, 1842, and when twelve years of 
age his parents, Lemuel and Jemima Carter, immigrated to Butler County, 
Iowa, where the former now resides, his mother having died. Mr. C. 
was married October 18, 1870, to Miss Eliza J. Brown, a native of Coles 
County, Illinois. She was born July 19, 1843. In 1875 they moved 
to their present location. They have had five children : Mabel, born 
May 26, 1872, and died July 31, 1877; Lemuel D., born December 15, 
1874 ; Frank P., born April 14, 1876 ; James A., born January 3, 1878 ; 
Isabel, born October 24, 1879. Mr. C. is a member of Burlington Lodge 
No. 442, A. F. and A. M. 

WILLIAM CARTER, 

farmer, section 34, post office Burlington Junction, was born in Union 
County, Ohio, October 10, 1844, and, when twelve years of age, his 
parents moved to Bremer County, Iowa. In 1865, he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has followed tilling 
the soil from boyhood, and owns 400 acres of land in the banner county 
of the state. He is a member of Quitman Lodge, No. 196, A. F. and 
A. M. Mr. C. was married January 16, 1873, to Miss Margeret Shelton, 
who was born in Jackson County, Indiana, July 26, 1853. Her father, 
James H. Shelton, was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Rhode 
Island. The family of Mr. and Mrs. C. consists of four children : Ella 
H., born November 4, 1873 ; William, born February 18, 1876; Joseph, 
born November 18, 1877, and Mary, born October 19, 1880. 

NATHAN JACKSON CHARTER, 

farmer, section 34, post office Burlington Junction, was born in Washing- 
ton Count\, Kentucky, November 7, 1826. In 1832, his parents moved 
to McDonough County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, receiving a 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 693 

fair education. His occupation during life has been that of a farmer. In 
1869, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. 
His farm contains 105 acres, on which he located in 1872. October, 31, 
185 1, Mr. C. was married to Miss Sarah R. Hardesty. She was born in 
McDonough County, Illinois, February 22, 1836, and died March 24, 1875. 
They had a family of ten children, of whom eight are living : Nancy E., 
Lourena I., Mary E., John L., Ida M., Charles W., Olive J. and Perry H. 
Jonathan Charter and Nancy (Ward) were the parents of N. J. Charter. 
The former was a native of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky. 

I. B. CHRISSINGER, 

postmaster and notary public, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born 
in Fayette County, October 11, 1846. He was reared in Fayette, Wash- 
ington and Allegheny Counties, of his native state, and there received 
his education. When sixteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed as an occupation till 1871. In the year 1856, 
he, with his parents, moved to Burlington, Iowa, where they remained 
till i860, then returning to Pennsylvania. About the year 1870 they made 
a second move to Burlington, and in the following year I. B. learned the 
art of telegraphing, after which he was given a position on the C, B. & 
Q. R. R., operating for a time at Weaver and at Burlington. In October, 
1873, he was transferred to Essex, Page County, Iowa, where he was 
given charge of all railroad business, acting as their real estate agent 
and also express agent. While there he was interested in incorporating 
the town, and acted as councilman for the first year and as chairman 
during the second. In October, 1876, he resigned the position as station 
agent, and embarked in the mercantile trade, dealing in groceries and 
agricultural implements, at the same time running the livery business. 
In October, 1878, he again accepted his former position with the railroad 
company, and was transferred to Burlington Junction in June, 1879, 
where he was given charge of all railroad business at this point. In Jan- 
uary, 1880, he again resigned. August 27, 1879, a special post office was 
established here, since which time he has had the responsibility of being 
postmaster. In June, 1879, he was appointed a notary public. Mr. C. 
is also engaged in both the life and fire insurance business, and repre- 
sents the German Insurance Company, of Freeport, Illinois, and the 
Farmers' and Mechanics' Mutual Relief Association of Maryland. During 
the year 1880 he was chairman of the town board. He is a Mason and 
a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, U. D. He also belongs to 
Burlington Junction I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 404, and to the A. O. U. W., 
Burlington Lodge, No. 215, and is a member of the Good Templars, 
Nodaway County Lodge, No. 477. Mr. Chrissinger was married March 
19, 1873, to Miss Mary Roberts. She was born in Des Moines County, 



6g4 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Iowa, August 1 8, 1847. They have two children : Edgar M., born March 
25, 1874, and Harris R., born October 12, 1875. 

GEORGE D. COLE, 

farmer, section 20, post office Burlington Junction, is a native of Piqua 
County, Ohio, where he was born, December 14, 1853. In 1863, he came 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, with his father, Shadrach Cole, who 
died in the year 1 868. His mother died in the year i860. George 
D. now resides on the farm where his father first located, and has 
adhered closely to agricultural pursuits during life. His farm embraces 
160 acres of land, and is very well improved. He was married June 
19, 1879, to Miss Jennie M. Mailing, a daughter of Dr. Edward Maning, 
now of Quitman. She was born in Andrew County, Missouri, August 
1, i860. They have had one child, which is now deceased. 

THOMAS CORKEN. 

The subject of this sketch now resides with his son, Samuel Corken, 
and is supposed to be the oldest man living in Nodaway County, having 
been born February 29, 1792, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. When 
but six years of age his parents started for the territory of Ohio, their 
mode of transportation being principally down the Ohio River on flat 
boats as far as the mouth of the Scioto River. They then made their 
way up that stream by a keel boat and landed at Chillicothe, Ross 
County, though having been compelled to walk a portion of the way 
while making their journey. At the time of landing there the house- 
hold furniture was rather limited, and the town consisted of but a few 
inhabitants, the buildings all being of logs and split and hewed floors. A 
noted hotel in the place was called the "Red Lion House." The elder 
Mr. C. and his family shortly located on what was known as the High 
Bank Prairie and began farming, not on a very large scale, however, as 
they had to manufacture their own plows, which were mostly of wood and 
no iron. Flouring mills had not been erected, and in those parts not 
even a mill for grinding corn. Hominy and dried pumpkin were substi- 
tuted for bread. Their meat was principally of wild game. Wolves, 
bears, &c, were numerous. Thomas' schooling was very much limited, 
having walked four miles while attending school, reading, writing and 
arithmetic being his only studies. He can remember when all mer- 
chandise used in Ross County was teamed from Philadelphia and New 
York City. October 1, 18 12, he was called as one of a company for 
service in the war of that year, in which he served forty days, and for 
which he now draws a pension. For fifty years he has been a member 
of the M. E. Church. Mr. C. was married June 10, 1819, to Miss Rebecca 
Jones, who died in this county in October, 1866, she having come here 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 695 

with her husband in 1862. Their family consisted of eleven children, 
six of whom are now living : Henry, Rachel, Sarah, Samuel and 
Rebecca. Mr. C, until within the past six years, has been quite strong, 
and has been a hard working and an honest man. 

HENRY CORKEN, 

farmer and raiser of hedge plants and small fruits, section 15, post office 
Burlington Junction, is the eldest son of Thomas Corken, of whom men- 
tion is made elsewhere. He was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 24, 
1820. He was reared in his native county, receiving but a limited edu- 
cation, and was there engaged as an agriculturist till April, 1857, when 
he moved to Knox County, Illinois. In April, 1862, he located in Nod- 
away County, Missouri, where he has since resided. At the time that 
he became a citizen here, he was in poor circumstances, being in debt 
some $3,000, and possessing nothing but his household goods. The debt 
he has since paid in full, and now owns a farm near the town of Burling- 
ton Junction of eighty acres, which is improved equal to any in the 
county. To make a start in this county, he was compelled to work as a 
common laborer for some two years, and in the year 1865, he began the 
raising of hedge plants, which he has since continued. He has also 
taken a great interest in the cultivation of small fruits, having a fine 
vineyard. October 3, 1841, Mr. Corken was married to Miss Catharine 
Kilbourn, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 6, 1826. They have 
six children living: Minerva C. (now Mrs. Herriman); Adassa J. (now 
Mrs, Dougherty); John D., Rachel V. (now Mrs. Meacham); Thomas M., 
Henrietta (now Mrs. Sunderland). Two children are deceased: William 
E. and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Corken are members of the M. E. 
Church. Mrs. C.'s parents, Hiram and Anna (White) were natives of 
New York. 

SAMUEL CORKEN, 

proprietor of the Burlington Mineral Springs, section 20, post office 
Burlington Junction, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born 
October 3, 1837. He is a son of Thomas Corken, a pioneer of Ohio, and 
was reared and educated in his native county, there being engaged in 
farming till i860, the time of his emigration to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. He has since adhered closely to farming and the raising of 
stock. He began life in this county with a small amount of means, but 
is now in a thriving condition, having a farm of 190 acres and well 
improved. His residence is a fine structure, and presents a pleasing 
view. It is situated quite close to the springs, and also to the lake. 
Mr. Corken was united in marriage to Miss Ellen G. Westfall, October 
12, 1862, who was born in Ross County, Oh'o, February 14, 1841. They 



696 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

have seven children : James S., Jessie, Thomas A., Eliza, Robert D.„ 
Elmer E., and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the M. E- 
Church. 

ISOM CARDILL, 

section 36, post office Burlington Junction. The subject of this sketch 
is an aged man, whose head has been frosted by the storms of many 
winters. He was born October 8, [795, and is a native of Wilkes County, 
North Carolina. In 1804 his parents moved to West Virginia, and in 
1805 to East Tennessee. November 30, 181 5, Isom was married to Miss 
Sally Brown, who was born in Hancock County, Georgia, January 4 r 
1799. He afterwards went to the Cherokee Nation, and there farmed 
with the Indians till 1821, when he returned to Tennessee, and in 1830 
he moved to Indiana. In 1855 he went to Minnesota, leaving his wife in 
Indiana while he prepared a home in that new state. While he was 
there she died, in September, 1864. They had a family of ten children. 
October 8, 1865, Mr. C. was married to Alida Kent, who was born in New 
York in the year 1818. In 1870 they moved to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, where they have since resided. Mr. C. has made farming his occu- 
pation during life, and is now able to do most any kind of work in the 
same line, as he was found shucking corn when the writer called on hint 
for his eventful history. He served six months in the war of 181 2, for 
which he now draws a pension. 

W. H. DAVIS, 

farmer and stock dealer, is among the most prominent of the early set- 
tlers of this vicinity. He is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was 
born May 6, 1841. He was educated in the common schools of that 
county, and in the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware County. 
His occupation during life has been that of an agriculturist and stock 
dealer. He resided in Ross County till the year i860, when, with his 
father, he moved to his present location, where he has since resided. 
The town of Burlington Junction was laid out on the farm then owned 
by himself and C. D. Caldwell, they, at that time, being partners. Mr. 
Davis' landed estate in this vicinity, at the present time, consists of 
720 acres, besides town property. He has disposed of considerable real 
estate since the founding of this place. He is a Mason, and a member 
of Burlington Junction Lodge, U. D. September 14, 1862, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Jones, of Ross County, Ohio, who 
was born February 14, 1842. By this union there have been five chil- 
dred, only two of whom are now living, Effie J. and Elizabeth. Colonel 
John H. Davis, the father of W. H. Davis, was born in Pike County. 
Ohio, in the year 1817. He was raised in Ross County, that state,, and 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP; < 697' 

there remained till i860, being engaged in farming. He was a member 
of the Ohio Legislature for two years, having been elected about 1854. 
Upon coming to this county, he located land now in the corporation of 
Burlington Junction, and was the founder of the Ohio Settlement, which 
figures conspicuously in this vicinity, a settlement consisting in all of 
over sixty families. Mr. D. now resides in Butler County, Kansas, to^ 
which locality he moved two years ago. He is there engaged in the 
stock business. For forty years he has been a local minister in the M. 
E. Church. During the late war he acted as colonel in the state militia,, 
and was also a member of the great convention on the constitution. 
He has been twice married. First, in 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Strong, who 
was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1818, and died in 1848. They had 
four children : Martha J., W. H., J. J. and James. His second marriage 
occurred in the year 1848, to Miss Rachel Corken, of Ross County, Ohio. 
By this union they have had five children : Thomas B., Rebecca, Sam- 
uel, Sarah and Charles ; they lost one. 

JARED J. DAVIS, 

stock dealer, section 10, post office Burlington Junction. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 28, 1843, and was 
there reared and educated. During the fall of i860 he came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, with his father, Col. J. H. Davis. He has made 
farming and dealing in stock his occupation during life, and now owns a 
farm containing 140 acres, well improved and conveniently located,, 
adjoining the town of Burlington Junction. Besides this he also has- 
twenty acres of timber land. Mr. Davis is a member of Burlington 
Junction Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M. He was married December 
5, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Jones, a daughter of Caleb and Eliza (Wake- 
man) Jones. Mrs. Davis was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 9, 1844. 
Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of New York. The 
latter now resjdes with the subject of this sketch. 

HENRY DEETS, 

farmer, section 29, post office Wilcox, was born on the sea, while his 
parents were immigrating from Germany to America, on the 13th of 
September, 1846. They landed at Baltimore, and located in Jackson 
County, Indiana. Henry's father died in Indiana in a few months alter 
their arrival, and when but twelve years of age, his mother died. The 
maintainance of life depending on his own exertions, his educational 
advantages were very limited. In 1855, he went to Louisa County,. 
Iowa, where he remained till 1857, when he returned to Indiana. Pre- 
vious to this time he had been on a farm. He then began railroading,. 



698 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

which business he followed for a period, when, in the year 1855, he went 
to California, where he was engaged in mining till the spring of 1867, 
then returning to Indiana. In 1867, Mr. Deets came to his present loca- 
tion. He now has a well improved farm, which he has by his own efforts 
made from the wild and unbroken land. In April, 1867, he was married 
to Miss Sarah E. Kelley, of Indiana. 

WILLIAM DUNCAN, 

farmer, section 26, post office Burlington Junction, is a son of John and 
Margaret (Wright) Duncan, the former of North Carolina, and the lat- 
ter a native of Tennessee. The subject of this narrative was born in 
McDonough County, Illinois, December 27, 1833. His avocation during 
life has been the same as at the present time. In 1869 he came to Nod- 
away County, Missouri, where he has since resided. His landed interest 
consists of 160 acres. Miss Ella Birton became the wife of William 
Duncan Febiuary 17, 1856. Mrs. D. was born in Kentucky, September 
5, 1834. They have had eight children : Jane, Margaret, Noah S., 
Thomas, Allen, Nora E., Clarence J. and Edna A. 

WILL R. GAY, 

attorney at law, was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1859. 
He was educated in his native county, taking a thorough course at Edin- 
boro, where he completed his studies in the year 1878. He was then 
engaged in teaching for some time, and in March, 1879, he came to Mis- 
souri, and began the study of law with Beech & Lane, of Maryville, Nod- 
away County. He continued his studies with them till April, 1880, when 
he came to Burlington Junction and formed a partnership with W. A. 
Burdick, forming the firm known as Burdick & Gay, in November, 1880, 
being admitted to the bar. The firm dissolved partnership in June, 1881. 
Mr. Gay is also engaged in the real estate and insurance business. His 
success has been of remarkable note, having began with nothing in the 
way of finances, but possessed of an indomitable will and purpose to 
achieve victory, he has risen high in the estimation of all, and ha*s been 
prosperous. He is at present holding the office of city attorney. His 
father, Sanford Gay, was a native of Canada, and his mother, Amada 
(Burdick) Gay, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gay is a Mason and a member of 
Burlington Junction Lodge U. D. He is also an Odd Fellow and a mem- 
ber of Burlington Junction Lodge, No. 404, and of the Nodaway County 
Lodge, No. 477, I. O. G. T. Of this he is state deputy. He was married 
August 29, 1880, to Miss Julia Albaugh. She was born in Rice County, 
Minnesota, September 18, 1858. When she was but ten years of age her 
parents moved to Maryville, Missouri, where she was educated, and 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 699 

afterwards was for some time engaged as teacher in the Maryville 
schools. Her parents, Moses and Sarah (Williard) Albaugh, were both 
natives of Ohio. 

E. E. GITTINGS, 

of the firm of Gittings & Neighbors, lumber dealers of Burlington Junc- 
tion and Fairfax, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Union Count)', 
July 27, 1830. When three years of age his parents moved to Indiana, 
where they remained one year, and then located in Illinois. After resid- 
ing in different counties for a few years, they settled in Henderson 
County. E. E. was reared as a farmer boy, and followed the same in 
Henderson County, Illinois, till 1872, when he emigrated to Neosho 
County, Kansas, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade for two 
years. In the year 1874 he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and 
located on a farm, where he remained till 1876, then coming to Mary- 
ville, where he was engaged in the lumber trade till 1879. At that time 
he came to his present location, making his first sale of lumber on the 
9th of July, of that year. He is now one of the leading citizens of the 
town. Mr. G. is a member of the town board, and is greatly interested 
in the welfare of the city. He was married January 29, 1859, to Miss 
Mary R. Mudd. She was born in Hart County, Kentucky, November 9, 
1840. They have six children : Laura, William W., Thattius, Electus, 
Anna M., and Joseph. 

JAMES GRIFFEY, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 6, was born in Andrew County, Mis- 
souri, on the 28th of September, 1848. When about two years of age his 
parents moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided. 
He has followed farming from boyhood, except during the years 1863-4, 
when he engaged in freighting to the mountains. His farm contains 280 
acres, and Mr. G. has recently erected a convenient residence. He was 
married February 22, 1866, to Miss Martha Davison, of Missouri. They 
have seven children : Edward, Mary J., Goodman, Charley, Ida, Ella 
and Adah. John Griffey, the father of the subject of this sketch, is a 
native of Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of Nodaway County. 
He now resides in Daviess County, Missouri. 

WASHINGTON H. GRIFFITH, 

farmer, section 30, was among the earlier settlers of Nodaway Township. 
He is a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, where he was born May 
21, 1 82 1. When two years of age, his parents moved to Lewis Count)-, 
of the same state, where he was reared and educated, his educational 
advantages being rather limited. In 1839, ne immigrated to Missouri, and 



700 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

located in Andrew County, the inhabitants at that time being Indians 
and wild animals. In 1845, Mr. Griffith came to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and has since resided on the same farm, having entered a part of 
what he now owns. Consequently, all improvements have been made 
by his own labor, or under his supervision. His landed estate consists 
of 623 acres. Mr. G. is a member of Quitman Lodge, No. 196, A. F. and 
A. M. October 2, 1850, he was married to Miss Bethlehem Cain, who 
was born in Platte County, Missouri. She died in August, 1866. Their 
family consisted of seven children : Amanda (now Mrs. Workman); 
Austrella, Baxter, Henry B., George W., Thomas J. and Milton. 

JUDGE SAMUEL F. GUTHRIE,. 

farmer, section 17, is the fifth of a family of ten children, sons and 
daughters of James and Margeret (Phelps) Guthrie. The former was a 
native of Kentucky, and was born August 1, 1793, and died in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, March 30, 1873. Mrs. Margeret Guthrie was a native 
of Ohio, and was born September 2, 1793. She also died in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, January 15, 1876. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Boone County, Missouri, March 12, 1822. In October, 1832, his 
parents moved to Moniteau County, Missouri, and February 26, 1840, 
Samuel went to Platte County, Missouri. In 1.842, he settled in 
Buchanan County, Missouri, from which location he came to Nodaway 
County, in the spring of 1854. Judge G. has since resided on the same 
farm. His occupation during life has been that of a farmer. His landed 
estate embraces 359 acres of land, all of which is well improved, his 
house and barn buildings being of great credit to the township. In 
1880, he was elected for four years as one of the County Judges, and has 
continued to fill that position with great credit, always deciding cases in 
a most impartial manner. He is a member of Burlington Junction 
Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M. May 26,. 185 1, Judge Guthrie was 
married to Miss Allie A. McCoy. She was born in Moniteau County, 
Missouri, January 4, 1832. They have had nine children, of whom six: 
are living : Cordelia C, Virgil A., Laura C, Madora A., Amanda M. 
and Charley V. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the old school Bap- 
tist Church. 

D. HEALD. 

Among the various branches of business which are to be found in 
Burlington Junction, the jewelry business is not in the rear, but is shown 
to be represented in a manner which is a credit to any town, regardless. 
of size or population. D. Heald, who is engaged in this trade, is a 
native of New Hampshire, and was born in Hillsborough County, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1834. He was reared and educated, in his native county, and. 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP, 701 

being a natural mechanic, has learned many trades during life, of all of 
which it is unnecessary to speak. When seventeen years of age he 
began at the cabinet business, which he followed till the fall of 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry and 
remained in service till the close of the war, when he returned to his 
native county and resumed the trade of cabinet making for one year. 
In 1867 he emigrated to the west and located in Exira, Audubon 
County, Iowa, and was engaged in farming for two years, when he com- 
menced at the jewelry business in Red Oak, Montgomery County, Iowa. 
There he continued for about one year, and after this he was engaged 
in working for a short time at the same calling in Anita, Cass County, 
Iowa. He then located in Casey, Guthrie County, Iowa, where he 
remained till November 5, 1879, when he came to Burlington Junction, 
Missouri, and has since taken much interest in the town, now being a 
member of the town board. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. Mr. Heald 
has been twice married; first, in November, 1857, to Miss Sarah A. 
Wood, who was born in New Hampshire, April 7, 1835. She died in 
December, 1867. They had two children : Willis E., and Mary S. Mr. 
H. was married the second time December 25, 1868, to Miss Mary J. 
Wood, a sister of his first wife. She was a native of the same state. 



J. H. HERRIFF, 

brick manufacturer, contractor, etc., was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1844. He was reared and educated in his native town, and was 
religiously instructed by the lamented James A. Garfield. Till the 
breaking out of the war, Mr. H. was engaged in the milling business. In 
1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-fourch Ohio 
Infantry, and was mustered out at Nashville, July, 1865, having been in 
service for two years and nine months. He participated in many import- 
ant battles. After being released from service, he returned to Cleveland, 
where he was occupied in chair manufacturing till 1867, and in January 
of the same year, he was married to Miss Silistria Lebby. After this he 
moved to White County, Illinois, where he located on a farm, and in 
1869, he moved to his present location. Mr. Herriff was engaged in 
farming till the spring of 1880, when he engaged in his present vocation 
with his father, the firm name being Herriff & Son. He has since been 
doing a thriving business. He was elected justice of the peace in the 
spring of 1879, ar *d was the first justice to do any official business in 
Burlington Junction. Mrs. Herriff was born in the town of Bedford, 
Ohio, May 15, 1841. Their family consists of two children.: Rufus W. 
and Edwin F. 



702 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

L. C. HINZE, 

carpenter and contractor. Among those who have been identified with 
the growth of Burlington Junction may be named the above mentioned 
person, who was born September 5, 1852, in St. Louis, Missouri. When 
five years of age he accompanied his parents, Ernest and Elizabeth 
Hinze, to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he remained till sixteen years 
of age, then returned to St. Louis. There he learned his trade, which 
he has since followed as an occupation. In the fall of 1876, he went to 
Illinois, and was there employed on bridge work by the C, B. & Q. Rail- 
road Company for two years, when he went to Creston, Iowa, and in a 
short time came to his present location June 3, 1879. He helped to 
build the first house in the town. Mr. H. is a member of Burlington 
Junction Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F. August 30, 1880, he was married 
to Miss Annie C. Frederick. She was born in Ft. Madison, Iowa, Octo- 
ber 17, 1854. Mr. Hinze's parents now reside in Ft. Madison. His 
father came to America from Germany in the year 1841, and located at 
Wheeling, West Virginia, and in St. Louis in 1844. 

WILLIAM HOBBS, 

farmer, section 25, is a native of England, and was born January 25, 1837. 
In 1850 he went to sea, working on vessels till the beginning of the war, 
and in December, 1861, while in New York City, he enlisted in the navy, 
and remained in service with the gulf squadron till the close of the war, 
when he was discharged as a petty officer. After being released from 
duty he went, to the town of Duncan, Stark County, Illinois, where he 
was engaged in the mercantile trade until 1873, the time of his location 
in this county. Since then he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
and now has a farm of 1 20 acres. July 4, 1868, Mr. Hobbs was married 
to Miss Nancy Ginrich. She was born in Stark County, Illinois, May 20, 
1848. They have two children : Watt M. and Mary J. 

GEORGE H. HOTALING, 

is a member of the firm of George H. Hotaling & Co., of Burlington 
Junction, Joins & Hotaling, of Clearmont, Missouri, and Hotaling, Cram 
& Co., of Braddyville, Iowa. He was born April 23, 1840, and is a native 
of Albany County, New York. His father, George E. Hotaling, and his 
mother were both born in the same county — the former July 23, i79f, 
and the latter on the 3d of July, 1801. They also are now living in that 
county. There the subject of this sketch was reared and educated, his 
boyhood days being passed on the farm. When eighteen years of age 
he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed in con- 
nection with farming for about seven years. In the spring of 1870 he 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 703 

moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where he remained till the spring of 1871, 
when he located on a farm in Taylor County, Iowa, and in August, 1872, 
settled in Hopkins, Nodaway County, Missouri. There he began in the 
lumber business as general manager for Goodsill Brothers, continuing 
the same till June, 1879, when he moved to his present location. Here 
he has since been engaged in the lumber trade, under the present firm 
name. They furnished the greater part of the lumber used in building 
up the town of Burlington Junction. Mr. Hotaling is a member of the 
I. O. G. T., and belongs to Nodaway County Lodge, No. 477. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and were among 
the founders of that denomination in Hopkins. July 6, 1865, he was 
married to Mrs. Mildred E. Boyd, her maiden name being Robbins. She 
was born in Lewis County, New York, May 20, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. H. 
have a family of five children : William E., Walter N., Nettie L., Charles 
S. and Nellie. 

JOHN HOUSTON, 

farmer, section 10, .was born in Jackson County, Indiana, December 15, 
1 83 1. When nine years of age he, with his parents, moved to Andrew 
County, Missouri, in 1 84 1 , and, in 1847, came to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents during vari- 
ous moves, and soon became a citizen of Nodaway County. He has 
followed farming from boyhood, and now his landed estate consists of 
430 acres, all of which is the savings of his own labor and judicious man- 
agement. Mr. H. is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge, No. 442, 
A. F. and A. M. He was married April 21, 1859, to Miss Sarah Orm, 
who was born in Rush County, Indiana, October 12, 1844. She died 
August 20, 1871. They had a family of four children': Lou E., born 
August 24, 1862; William N., born October 15, 1864; Mary E., born 
Februarv 27, 1867, and Leonard, born March 7, 1869. The parents of 
Mr. H. were William and Martha (Flinn) Houston, the former of Dela- 
ware and the latter of Virginia. They were pioneers of Indiana, and 
also of this county. Their family consisted of five boys and five girls, 
John being the sixth in the family. He was in the Home Militia of Mis- 
souri, during the war. At the time of Lincoln's first election there were 
fifteen votes cast in the three townships — Lincoln, Atchison and Noda- 
way — John being the only. one to vote for Lincoln. 

CHRISTIAN HUDDLE 

was born in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, July 3, 1793. His 
father died when Christian was but one year old. He was reared by his 
different uncles, though knocked about from one place to another, and 
had a poor chance to receive an education. When about fourteen years 



704 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

•of age he went to Shenandoah County, Virginia, where he remained till 
the age of seventeen. Until this time he had worked at various occupa- 
tions. He then went to Richmond, Virginia, and enlisted as a State 
Guard at the penitentiary, and was at the great theatre fire on the night 
of December 26, 1811, having been stationed there, and was on the stage 
at the time that the fire began. Becoming disgusted with the dreadful 
sight he resigned his position, but was not released till the following 
June. He then returned to his native county and bound himself as an 
.apprentice to learn the carpenter's trade, and on the 12th day of July, 
1812, he enlisted in the war of .that year, remaining in service till January 
24, 1813, when he was discharged. Previous to this time, however, he 
had been taken sick, and was not able to return home. In a short time 
he returned to his native county and completed his trade. He now 
draws a pension for his servicesin the <war of 18 12. In 18 15 Mr. Huddle 
went to Ross County, Ohio, where he followed his trade. At this he has 
worked principally during life, till within the past few years. He has for 
some time made his home with his children, and now lives with his 
daughter, Mrs. Eliza Walker, with whom he has remained since 1876. 
Mr. H. made three trips to. this county before settling here, one in the 
fall of 1867, one in the fall of 1870, and another in the year 1873. He 
was married March 6, 18 17, to Miss Nancy Kelley, who was born on 
December 29, 11798, in Virginia. She went with her parents to Ross 
•County, Ohio, when but two years of age. She died in that county July 
3, [867. They had a family of five children : Eliza, Martha, Mary A., 
(now dead), Quincy, (now deadj, and Socrates. They also raised one 
■orphan child, Warren L. Johnson, who now resides in Ross County, Ohio. 
Martha, his second child, is married to Stephen Walker, and resides in 
"Ross County, Ohio. Socrates, his only son, now lives in Peabody, 
Kansas. Eliza, his oldest daughter, was born in Ross Count)', Ohio, 
December 9, 1817. She was there reared and educated, and there 
was married November 22, 1838, to Jesse H. Walker. He was born 
in Loudoun County, Virginia, June 29, 18 12, and when two years 
■of age his parents moved to Ross County, Ohio, where he grew 
to manhood. He was a carpenter by trade, but followed various 
branches of business during life. He moved to Nodaway County in the 
spring of 1865, and located on a farm now joining the town of Burling- 
ton Junction, where he was engaged in farming till the date of his 
demise, May 30, 1879 The family of Mr. and Mrs. Walker consisted of 
ten children : John A., the oldest son, who was brought home from the 
service with fever, died shortly alter his arrival ; Nancy A., (now Mrs. 
Jones); William H., Christian, Mary A., (now Mrs. Drennan); Martha 
A., (now Mrs Edmisten); Pauline, \ now Mrs. Barnum); Alma J., who 
died in this county, and many years before her death had been engaged 
in teaching. The next child died while quite young. The last, and the 



NODAAWAY TOWNSHIP. 705 

only one at home, is Littie F., who is employed as teacher in the schools 
of Burlington Junction. Out of the family now living six have been 
educators. 

T. J. HUNT, M. D., 

dealer in groceries, is a native of New York, and was born in Orange 
County, March 14, 1823. He was principally educated in his native 
county, receiving fair educational advantages, having been kept in 
school most of the time until grown to manhood. In 1843, Mr. H.'s 
parents moved to Ulster County, of the same state, and when seventeen 
years of age, he chose the practice of medicine for a profession. He 
immediately began his studies, and after continuing them for a number 
of years, attended the Medical Institute of New Jersey. In 1847, he 
moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained one year, and then 
located in Madison, Wisconsin, where he began his practice, he being of 
the homoeopathic school, which has become so noted in the larger cities. 
In the locality mentioned he continued his practice till 1861, when 
he moved to Northwood, Worth County, Iowa. There Dr. Hunt 
introduced his system of practice, which was met with great success. 
He continued to labor there till May, 1877, when he moved to Mary- 
ville, where he was engaged in practicing for one year, when, on account 
of failing health, he retired from his profession. In 1880, he moved to 
Burlington Junction, where he has since been engaged in the grocery 
business. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and while in Northwood, 
Iowa, organized the first Sabbath School in the town. He was also a 
member of the school board, taking much interest in educational mat- 
ters. Dr. H. is an active member of the school board of this town, 
having been elected for three years. He is a Mason and a member of 
Burlington Junction Lodge, U. D., he being their master. He is also a 
member of the I. O. G. T. He was married July 3, 1847, to Miss Eliza 
Wakeman, who was born in Ulster County, New York, December 18, 
1828. They have three children : Amanda M. (now Mrs. Perkins), born 
May 23, 185 1 ; George H., born May 18, 1853 I Ida F., born June 4, i860. 
She has been teaching in the schools of Burlington Junction for some 
time, and is employed at present, being an instructor of both the English 
and Latin languages. Dr. Hunt's father, Joseph, and his mother, Maria 
(Wood), were both natives of New York. The former was born in Pull- 
man County, and died in Dane Count)-, Wisconsin, in the year 1872. 
The latter was born in Dutchess County, and died in Ulster County, in 
the year 1840. Their family consisted of eight boys and four girls, the 
subject of this sketch being the ninth in the family. 

CHARLES H. HUNGATE, 

farmer, section 26, is a son of William and Dorcas (Ward) Hungate, 

who were both natives of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was 

45 



yo6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

born in McDonough County, Illinois, July 14, 1842. He was reared and 
educated in his native county, completing his education in the high 
school of Macomb. After leaving school he was employed as an educa- 
tor for about five years. In 1867, he went to Hamilton County, Iowa, 
where he followed the occupation of farming, and has since continued 
the same. In 1868, he returned to his native county, and in 1870 he 
moved to Louisa County, Iowa. In the spring of 1875 he came to Nod- 
away County, Missouri, where he now resides, his farm containing 
eighty-five acres. Mr. Hungate acted as justice of the peace one year, 
and is now the assessor of Nodaway Township. February 18, 1862, he 
was married to Miss Polly A. Short. She was born December 15, 1839, 
in Marion County, Kentucky. When sixteen years old, she moved 
with her parents, James and Sallie (Harding) Short, to Illinois. The 
family of Mr. and Mrs. H. consists of John T., born January 15, 1870; 
James R., born November 28, 1872, and Quinton W., born March 12, 1877. 

JAMES JOHNSTON, 

farmer, section 2. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ross County, 
Ohio, where he was born November 15, 1816. The hair of his head is 
white, and has been frosted by many long winters, but he is a man still 
possessed with a great amount of energy. His landed interest includes 
277 acres of tillable land and fifty acres of timber. His orchard is one 
of more than ordinary merit, he having been greatly interested in the 
raising of fruit, and which he has made a study for some time. Mr. J. 
has resided at his present location since 1867. He made his home in his 
native county till 1852, when he located in Piqua, Ohio, and in the year 
1863 he moved to Piatt County, Illinois, where he remained till the t'ime 
of his immigration to Nodaway County, Missouri. February, 1855, he 
was united in marriage to Miss Jane Maxwell, who was born in West 
Virginia, January 9, 1826. Three children are the fruit of their union : 
Collin, Ellen and Norris. 

WILLIAM A. JONES, 

farmer, section 10, P. O. Burlington Junction. As one of the more distin- 
guished citizens of Nodaway Township we mention the subject of this 
sketch. He is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born December 
28, [818. He was reared in his native county and was there educated, 
and has made farming his chief occupation from boyhood. In 1842, he 
went to Pike County, Ohio, where he was engaged for some time in buy- 
ing grain and feeding stock. February 2/ y [845, he was married to Miss 
Kaehael Teaster. They remained in Tike County till the fall of [863, 
when Mr. Jones came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and, in the follow- 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. JOJ 

ing spring, moved his family here also. While in Pike County, Ohio, 
he was for about three years occupied in the mercantile trade. Since 
his immigration to this county he has adhered closely to agricultural 
pursuits. His landed estate now consists of 470 acres. Mr. Jones rep- 
resented the county of Nodaway for four years in the State Legislature, 
being elected in the fall of 1866, and re-elected in the fall of 1868, serv- 
ing with great credit to himself. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of 
the Ohio M. E. Church, of Burlington Junction, and contributed liberally 
in the building of the church edifice, he being one of the trustees at 
that time. Mrs. Jones was born in Pike Cqunty, Ohio, April 10, 1825, and 
remained in her native county till married. Their family consists of seven 
children, now living, whose names are : Emma (now Mrs. Rittenoure) ; 
Rachael J. (now Mrs. Evans) ; Sarah (now Mrs. Mitchell) ; Mary (now 
Mrs. Montgomery) ; Laura S., Carrie and John W. They have lost one. 

FLETCHER JONES, 

farmer, section 29. The subject of this 'narrative was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, May 16, 1827. He grew to manhood in his native county, 
and there received the benefits of a common school education. His 
occupation during life has been that of an agriculturist, and in which he 
has been very successful. He sojourned in his mother county till the 
spring of 187 1, since which time he has been a citizen of Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and has finely improved the farm where he now 
resides. His landed estate amounts to 320 acres. Mr. Jones was mar- 
ried December 5, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Ring. She was a daughter of 
Ira and Sarah (Moore) Ring — the former of Vermont, and the latter a 
native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jones was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 
10, 1830. Their family consists of nine children: Rachel A. (now Mrs. 
Dixon, who resides in Ross County, Ohio), Love S. (now Mrs. Dalbey, 
residing near Burlington Junction), Mary A., Ida J., George M., William, 
Samuel A. and Wesley W. Their oldest daughter, Sarah J., who was 
married to Solomon E. Dubois, recently died at her home in Nebraska, 
leaving a family of two children : Florence E. and Solomon F., who are 
now cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Jones. 

COLLINS JONES, 

farmer, section 22, is a son of William and Jane (Corken) Jones, and was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, October 24, 1828. He was reared in his 
native county, and was there engaged in his present occupation till 
1857, where he emigrated to Stark County, Illinois, being one of the 
pioneers of that county. In 1867 he came to his present location, where 
he has succeeded in making him a farm of eighty-four acres. He was 



70S BIOGRAPHICAL. 

married March 26, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Blake. She was born 
December 6, 1835, and is a native of New York. The family of Mr. and 
Mrs. Jones consists of eight children : Rebecca J., Francis W., Sanford 
W., Margaret A., Mary, Oak, Adda, and Florence. Two children are 
deceased. 

D. W. JONES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 17, was born in Ross County, Ohio, 
January 2, 1836. He received the advantages of a good common school 
education while in his native county, and was there engaged in farming, 
which he has followed as an occupation during life. In 1864, Mr. Jones 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and located on his present farm, 
where he has since resided. He has gradually risen among the more 
successful agriculturists, and now has a farm of 220 acres, unsurpassed 
by any in the Nodaway Valley, both in natural qualities and improve- 
ments. His house, which is deserving of more than ordinary notice, 
was erected in the year 1880. Mr. Jones was married March 2, 1858, to 
Miss Emma Radford, who was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, April 3, 
1837. Their family consists of five children : Weldon R., Chloe, Nellie, 
Willie and Preston. 

J. H. LEMON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 6, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was 
born in Luzerne County, August 16, 1842. When but a child his parents 
moved to McDonough County, Illinois, where he was raised to manhood. 
The principal part of his education was taught him in the Prairie City 
Academy, of McDonough County. After retiring from the school room 
as a student he was engaged in teaching for several years, and as an 
educator was spoken of in high terms. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- 
pany H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and was mus- 
tered out at the close of the war as sergeant, having participated in many 
important battles. He received a slight wound during the campaign. 
After being mustered out of service Mr. L. returned to McDonough 
County, and in 1872 moved to Hancock County, of the same state, 
and in the year 1875 he came to his present location, where he has since 
been occupied in tilling the soil and dealing in stock. He now has a 
well improved farm of 360 acres. He has acted as justice of the peace 
since the spring of 1881. June 23, 1870, he was united by marriage to 
Miss Emily Kautz. They have five children : William P., Charles W., 
Sadie, Lillie A. and Nellie J. Mrs. L. is also a native of Ohio. 

J. E. McREYNOLDS, 

blacksmith and wagon-maker, is a native of Indiana, and was born in 
Martin County, March 11, 1843. When about twelve years old his 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 709 

parents moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, where he was reared on a 
farm, and followed farming till the breaking out of the late war. In 
1862, he enlisted in the Eighteeenth Iowa Infantry and remained in service 
till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Davenport, 
Iowa, having served in the frontier service and participated in a number 
of important battles. Mr. McReynold's father, during the war, had 
moved to Worth County, Missouri, to which county J. E. returned after 
receiving his discharge. Shortly after this time he went to Marion 
County, Iowa, where he was engaged at his present occupation till the 
year 1874, when he moved to Worth County, Missouri. In this vicinity 
he was engaged in working at his trade till April of 1879, when he 
moved to his present location, and was the first to engaged in that 
occupation in Burlington Junction. He has since been liberally patron- 
ized by this community, and is considered by his customers to be one of 
the finest mechanics in Northwest Missouri, having made it his close 
study for a number of years. He makes carriage and buggy work a 
specialty. Mr. McReynolds was married August 5, 1866, to Miss F. E. 
Guncan. She was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 8, 1849. They 
have four children : Orval, Bernal B., Clyde C, and Darling D. 

W. J. MENDENHALL, 

dairyman, section 21, was born in Ross County, Ohio, on the 1st of Sep- 
tember, 1846. He was educated in the common schools of his native 
county, and then took a commercial course at Chillicothe, Ohio. In 
October, 1865, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and in the spring 
of 1874 located on the farm where he now resides. He has followed 
farming during life, and on the 8th of October, 1879, he opened up a 
dairy, in which he has met with great success. His farm is within two 
miles of Burlington Junction, and contains 240 acres. Mr. Mendenhall 
was married March 19, 1866, to Miss Mary Wakefield, who was born 
March 23, 1845. She is a native of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. She 
went to Ohio when eleven years of age, and was educated at Ewington, 
Ohio. She immigrated to Atchison County, Missouri, in the year 1864. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall have a family of five children : Nina E., Thomas 
W., George W., Annie M. and Charles W. Mr. M.'s parents, John and 
Sarah (Jones) Mendenhall, were both natives of Ross County, Ohio. The 
former died in this county, November 4, 1876. The latter now resides 
with her son, the subject of this sketch, he being the only one of the 
family living. 

JAMES MITCHELL, 

farmer, section 2. The original home of the subject of this biography 
was Ross County, Ohio, where he was born, December 9, 1844. He was 



7IO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

reared and educated there, and has followed farming from boyhood. In 
1865, he accompanied his parents to Nodaway County, Missouri, where 
he has since resided. His landed estate embraces 410 acres, most of 
which is well improved. His residence being one among the best in the 
township. It was erected in 1875. Mr. Mitchell was married April 15, 
1875, to Miss Sarah Jones, a daughter of W. A. Jones, a prominent citi- 
zen of this township, and whose sketch appears elsewhere. Mrs. M. is 
a native of Pike County, Ohio, and was born December 3, 1852. They 
have three children : Ella, born November 6, 1876; Eunice T., August 29, 
1878, and Eva K., October n, 1880. James Mitchell, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 21, 
18 12, and followed the tailor's trade principally during life. He was 
married July 23, 1839, to Miss Ellenor Dougherty, who was also born in 
Ross County, Ohio, August 18, 1815. They moved to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, in 1865, where Mr. M. died June 5, 1870. His wife survived 
him till November 27, 1879. They had a family of eight children, 
James being the only one living. 

L. D. MOORE, 

carpenter, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, December, 1830. He was 
reared in his native county and was there educated. In February, 1853, 
he went to Mason County, Illinois, where he was engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuit till 1857, when he learned the painter's tuade, which he 
followed for six or seven years. He then began t© learn his present 
vocation, which he continued in Illinois till 1875, when he located in 
Jasper County, Iowa. There he remained till the spring of 1879, at 
which date he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and began work on 
bridges for the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad Company. In 
January, 1880, he located in Burlington Junction, and has since been 
successfully engaged at his trade. He is a member of the I. O. O. I 7 ., 
and of the Masonic fraternities. Mr. Moore was married November i8» 
1851, to Miss Martha Winebourner. She was born March 17, 1831, and 
is a native of Ohio. They have four children : Celia L., Francis M.» 
Lizzie and Durdany. The parents of the subject of this sketch were 
Israel and Elizabeth Moore. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, 
was born August 19, 1799, and died in August, 1873. The latter was a 
native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1803, and died in 1877. Their family 
consisted of thirteen children, L. D. being the sixth in the family. 

D. C. MYERS, 

physician and druggist, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Fairfield 
(now Hocking) County, March 23, 1807. He was reared in his native 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 711 

county, and was there principally educated. His occupation was farm- 
ing till 1830, when he began in the dry goods business, which he con- 
tinued two years, at this time being located in Perry County. There he 
commenced the study of medicine in 1837, and after preparing himselt 
for the profession, he began practicing in Jackson County, where he 
continued two years. He then moved to Ross County, where he resided 
till 1844, when he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and has been a res- 
ident of Burlington Junction since it was incorporated as a town. He 
has been engaged in the drug business since February, 1881. Dr. 
Meyers was married February 14, 1833, to Miss Sarah Moore. She was 
also born in the same county as himself, in the year 181 1. They have 
had six children, of whom five are now living : Mary, Emma, Cynthia, 
Gertie, and William H. 

GEORGE W. NICHOLAS, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 23, post office Burlington Junction, 
was born in Vinton County, Ohio, July 29, 1821, and was reared in 
his mother state, being brought up on a farm and has followed agri- 
cultural pursuits during life. In the spring of 185 1, Mr. N. emigrated 
to Stark County, Illinois, where he resided till 1868, when he moved to 
Page County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1870 he became a citizen cf 
Nodaway County, Missouri. He is now one of its prominent men. His 
landed interest consists of 160 acres, with modern improvements. His 
orchard of 300 trees is in good bearing condition. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in the late war in company E, 112th Illinois Infantry, and was 
mustered out July 3, 1865. In November, 1863, he was taken prisoner 
at Knoxville, Tennessee, and was held in a number of dens, in all about 
fifteen months. Mr. N. is a member of Quitman Lodge No. 196, A. F. 
and A. M. March 6, 185 1, he was united by marriage to Miss Winnie 
Humphrey. She was born in Vinton County, Ohio, October 6, 1832. 
Fifteen children were the fruit of their union : Eliza A., deceased ; 
John S., William E., Henry E., Thomas A., Pearley L., Electa J., Lydia 
C, Nellie E., Martha E., Nora A., Cora A., Zephie F., Emily M., deeased; 
and James G. The father of the subject of this sketch, John Nicholas, 
was a native of Greenbrier County, West Virginia, where he was born 
in February, 1800. When four years of age he went to Ohio, and there 
remained till 185 1, when he moved to Stark County, Illinois, and in 
1876 came to Nodaway County, Missouri. While in Ohio he was mar- 
ried to Miss Eleanor Graves, who was born in January, 1801, and was a 
native of North Carolina. When quite young she went with her parents 
to Ohio. They had a family of. fourteen children, of whom there are 
seven boys and two girls living : Lydia, Joseph, Jonathan, George W., 
Joab, Leonard, Thomas, Ellen and William H. H. Mrs. Nicholas died 
January 10, 1879, an d Mr. Nicholas died August 16, 1879. 



712 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOAB NICHOLAS, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 28, was bom in Vinton County, Ohio. 
March 2, [836, and in 1850, with his parents, he moved to Stark County, 
Illinois. In [868, he located in Atchison County, Missouri, and in the 
spring of 1S75, settled in Nodaway Count)-, where he has since resided. 
He has been engaged in various branches of business during life, but 
his main occupation has been that of a farmer. His landed estate con- 
sists of 440 acres, all of which is well improved, his residence ami out- 
buildings presenting an inviting appearance. He has one of the most 
convenient bams in the township. Mr. Nicholas was married September 
15, i860, to Miss Alcinda Colwell, of Stark County, Illinois. They have 
eight children: Albert C, Miles A., Laura E., Frank W., Charley IX 
Cora E., Willie P. and Jimmie. 

LEONARD NICHOLAS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23. He was born in Vinton County 
Ohio, October 5, 1837, and when about twelve years of age, with his 
parents, he moved to Stark Count}-, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. 
In 1873 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since 
resided. He has followed farming from boyhood, and now has land 
amounting to 155 acres, all of which is well improved. Mr. Nicholas 
was married June 10. [88l, to Miss Sarah Davis. She was born in 
Pulaski County, Virginia* October 17, 1845. 

WILLIAM H. NICHOLAS, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 24, was born in Vinton County, Ohio, 
December 23, 1844. When he was six years of age his parents moved 
to Stark County, Illinois, and in the year 1876 he came to his present 
location. He was reared on a farm and made agricultural pursuits his 
occupation during life, excepting the years 1877 8-, when he was engaged 
in the hardware trade at Quitman. February 18, l86<>, he enlisted during 
the late war, in Company B, of the Seventh Illinois, ami was mustered 
out July 9th of the same year. His landed estate consists of 2^0 acres, 
with more than ordinary improvements. Mr. Nicholas is a member of 
Burlington Junction Lodge, No. 442, A. F. and A. M. He has been twice 
married —first December 20, 1800, to Miss Mary M. Colwell. She was 
born in Peoria Count)', Illinois, in September, 1847, and died October 14, 
[868. They had one child: Delia, now deceased. Mr. X. was married 
the second time September 10, 1872, to Miss Sarah Darby. She was 
bom in Ross County, Ohio, September 24, 1854. They have five children 
now living : Nettie P., Pearley D., Charley, Ann ami Allie — and one son. 
Elmer 1 .., is deceased. 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 713 

J. P. RING 

is <if the firm of Dyche & Ring, dealers in general merchandise-. March 
[3, [846, the population of Andrew County, Missouri, was increased by 
one who grew to manhood in that county and whose name is now u ed 
as the subject of this sketch. In 1 86 1 Mr. Ring went to the mountains, 
where he remained till [869, having during this time made one trip to 
the states. While in that country he traversed through most of the terri- 
tories, being engaged in freighting the principal part of the time. lie 
was for quite a period occupied in supplying the Union Pacific R. R. with 
ties. In the fall of [869 he left Salt Lake City for Taylor County, Iowa, 
where he was engaged in the mercan.tile trade for eighteen months, then 
locating on a farm in the same county, where: he remained till the fall of 
1879. At that time he settled in Burlington Junction, where he has since 
been doing the leading business in the mercantile trade, being liberal 
and accommodating to his patrons. Mr. Ring was married April 7, 
1871, to Miss Sedora Fleming. She was born in Leavenworth County, 
Kansas, in April, 1855. They have three children : Lethie, Walter O. 
and Charles W. The parents of Mr. Ring, Jesse and Catherine (Peck) 
Ring, were both natives of Ohio. 

E. RITTENOURE, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 1 1, was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 
12, 1844. He was reared on a farm, and has since made farming and 
dealing in stock his occupation. When about thirteen years of age, his 
parents moved to Fayette County, Ohio, and, in 1867, he came to his- 
present location. He has recently disposed of his farm, which contained 
285 acres. Mr. Rittenoure was married April 3, 1872, to Miss Mary A. 
Miller, a native of Clinton County, Ohio. Two children constitute the 
family circle, Thornton M. and Ella. 

A15RAHAM SOUTH, 

farmer, section 33, was born in Washington County, Maryland, De< em- 
ber 4, 1823. He was reared and educated in his native county, and was 
there engaged in tilling the soil till 1850, when he emigrated t<> I 
County, Illinois, where his time was also spent in the same manner. In 
1870, he located in Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since- 
resided. His landed estate contains 172 acres. In November, 1868, Mr. 
South was united in marriage to Miss Sarah McCoy, also a native of 
Washington County, Maryland. They have four children : Walter A., 
Lillie, May, and Maudie. Mr. South's parents were both born in Mary- 
land. His father was reared and died on the same farm on which he 
was born. 



714 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

C. W. SPEAR, 

grain dealer, was born in Lenawee County, Michigan, July 6, 1834. 
When fourteen years of age, his parents moved to LaPorte County, 
Indiana, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education principally 
in the subscription schools of pioneer fame. In 1853, the family moved 
to Bureau County, Illinois, and while there C. W. attended the seminary 
at Princeton for some time. He was reared on the farm, and has fol- 
lowed farming more or less during life. While in Bureau County, he 
was engaged in the grain business for nearly two years, and, in the 
spring of 1874, moved on a farm near Maryville, Missouri. In January, 
1875, he moved to Page County, Iowa, where he remained till October, 
1879, when he moved to his present location, and began in his present 
■occupation, shipping the first car load of grain from Burlington Junction 
about the 1st of October, 1879. Mr. Spear has since done a large part 
of the grain business of this place. He is a member of the Masonic, 
I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. fraternities. His marriage occurred April 
12, 1857, to Miss Louisa E. Foot. She was born February 24, 1841, in 
Fitchville, Huron County, Ohio. The)' have seven children, all natives 
•of Bureau County, Illinois : Julia A., born February 3, 1858 (she was 
married August 18, 1875, to Millard Owen, and now resides in Andrew 
County, Missouri,); Charles L., born September 12, 1859; Francis I., 
born May 20, 1861; P^ddie E., born April 16, 1863; Luellen, born 
November 9, 1866 ; Rosa M., born March 3, 1870, and Lola I., born 
August 8, 1872. Mr. Spear is also engaged in the grain business at two 
other points, Quitman and Skidmore. He is recognized as one of the 
live business men of this section of Missouri. 

REV. W. B. SUNDERLAND, 

was born in Piqua County, Ohio, October 6, 18 12. When ten years of 
age, his parents moved to Fairfield County, of the same state, where he 
was reared and educated, completing his education in a six months sub- 
scription school. When sixteen years of age he learned the blacksmith 
trade, which he followed as an occupation till 1854, having located in 
Ross County, Ohio, in 1850. From 1854, till 1858, his time was occupied 
in the milling business, when about 1858, he was burned out of saw mill, 
flouring mill, store ami dwelling, losing property to the amount of ten 
thousand dollars. He was for sometime out of employment, and at the 
beginning of the war assisted in recruiting companies for service. In 
the year 1863, he immigrated to this township, since which time he has 
been actively engaged in preaching the gospel, he having united with 
the M. E. Church in 1840. He received license to preach in the year of 
1852. At the time of his locating in Nodaway County, the circuit in 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 71 5 

which the minister preached extended all over the county, yet but one 
regular M. E. Church building had been erected within the count) - . Mr. 
S. was married August 21, 1834, to Miss Margaret Williams. She was 
born January 1, 1814, and is a native of Pennsylvania, but was reared in 
Ohio, residing in Fairfield County when married. They have six child- 
ren : Rebecca (now Mrs. Fields), Samuel, George W., Hester (now Mrs. 
Rodgers, a widow at home), Caroline (now Mrs. Wood), and James B. 

L. TESSIER, 

of the firm of L. Tessier & Co., dealers in clothing, gents' furnishing 
goods, trunks, valises, boots, shoes, etc., Burlington Junction and Tarkio 
City, Missouri, was born January 1, 1846, and is a native of Hyacinthe, 
Canada. He was thoroughly educated in the French, Latin, Greek, and 
English languages, having graduated from the Hyacinthe College in the 
year 1861. After this he went to Montreal, Canada, where he was 
engaged in the clothing business till he was seventeen years of age, 
when he located at Lowell, Massachusetts. He was there employed for 
sixteen months by Dr. James C. Ayers as his French correspondent, 
after which he accepted a position as salesman in a clothing store at 
Worcester, Massachusetts, which he continued to occupy till 1866. 
From that time he was employed by Field, Leiter & Co., of Chicago, lor 
thirteen years, being inspector during eleven years of that time. In 
1878, Mr. T. settled in Corning, Iowa, where he was engaged in general 
merchandising till the spring of 1880, when he moved to his present 
location. He commenced in the business which now occupies his atten- 
tion and accepted W. M. Crowley as a partner in June of the same year, 
opening the second store at Tarkio City, Missouri, in November. Mr. 
Tessier was married to Miss Laura M. Champlin, June 12, 1878, at the 
St. Mary's Church, of Chicago, by Rev. A. G. Lambert, of the Jesuit 
College. Mrs. Tessier was born in Randolph, New York, February 11, 
1845, and had resided in Chicago some time before the date of their 
marriage. 

WILLIAM H. WALKER, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 16, was born in Ross County, Ohio 
January 15, 1844. He was reared and educated in his mother county, 
and was there principally engaged in farming. In May, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company B, Twenty-Sixth Ohio Infantry, and participated in many of 
the most important battles during the war, and was mustered out of ser- 
vice at Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 25, 1864, having during the latter 
eighteen months served on the engineers' corps. After being mustered 
out Mr. W. returned to Ross County, Ohio, and in 1865 he emigrated to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided, his residence 



7l6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

now being in the same section as Burlington Junction. His landed estate 
consists of 472 acres. Mr. Walker was married December 25, 1868, to 
Miss Mary A. Maines, who was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, Jan- 
uary 30, 1848. She located with her parents in Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, in 1865. The family of Mr. and Mrs. W. consists of five children : 
Charles E., born October 10, 1869 ; Annie L., born May 18, 1871 ; Everett, 
born March 15, 1873 ; Maggie, born February 27, 1875, and Alma E. r 
born January 23, 1880. 

C. L. WALKER, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 12, was born in Ross County, Ohio, 
November 21, 1846. He was reared in his native county and was there 
educated. He has adhered closely to agricultural pursuits and dealing 
in stock during life, at which he has been quite successful, having a 
farm of 160 acres. Mr. Walker was married December 29, 1869, to Miss 
E. Myers. She was also born in Ross County, Ohio They have four 
children : Frank D., Frederick S., John H. and Jesse E. 

WHEELER BROTHERS, 

merchants, are sons of Joseph H. and Susannah (Caples), both natives 
of Maryland. Andrew Wheeler, of the above firm, was born in Carroll 
County, Maryland, September 22, 1852. He was reared and educated 
in his birth place, and when but a boy he began to learn the shoemaker's 
trade, which he followed in his native county till 1879. He then went 
to Creston, Iowa, where he remained but a short time, and in April 
of 1879 he came to his present location, and was the first merchant in 
the town, making his first sale of goods July 26. Business was carried 
on under the firm name of Wheeler Brothers till October 15, 1880, when 
the firm was changed to A. Wheeler on account of the death of his 
brother, Abraham A. Wheeler, and November 23, 1881, he accepted as 
a partner his brother, Washington T. This is now the leading firm in 
the town. Andrew Wheeler is a member of Burlington Junction Lodge 
No. 404, I. O. O. F. He was married December 21, 1876, to Miss Eliza 
Buckingham, who was born in the same county as himself, April 5, 1858. 
She died January 5, 1878. Mr. W. was again married Dec. 28, 1880, to 
Miss Belle, a daughter of Dr. and Margaret Gillette. She'was born in Han- 
cock County, Illinois, February 1, 1856. They have one child, Maggie 
May, born November 9, 1881. Washington Wheeler, of this firm, was 
born in Carroll County, Maryland, November 15, 1838. He was reared 
and educated in his native county, and began working at the shoemak- 
ing trade when quite young. This he followed in his native county till 
1864, when he traveled over Ohio, Indiana, and other states for one year. 
He then returned to Carroll County, Maryland, and in 1870 moved to 



NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 7 17 

Woodberry, Baltimore County, Maryland, where he was principally 
engaged in the mercantile trade till June, 1881, when he came to Bur- 
lington Junction, and November 23d, became a partner in the firm as 
before stated. He was married May 15, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth A. 
Saeffer, a daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Selmon) Saeffer. 

J. E. WILSON, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 30, is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, 
where he was born August 30, 1828. When about eight years of age, he, 
with his parents, moved to Union County of the same state. There J. 
E. was reared to manhood. He has followed farming as an occupation 
during life. In 1852 he moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, where he 
sojourned one year, and then emigrated to Bremer County, Iowa. In 
1865 he located where he now makes his home. His landed estate con- 
sists of nearly 600 acres, all of which is improved. During life he has 
been justice of the peace several years, holding that position while in 
Iowa for eight years. Mr. Wilson is a member of Quitman Lodge, No. 
196, A. F. and A. M. He was married August 20, 185 1, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Mcllroy. She was born March 17, 1832. They have had six chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living: Josephine L., born August 12, 1852 ; 
James P., born February II, 1855; Orvis F., born September 10, i860; 
and Lillie M., born September 21, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members 
of the M. E. Church. 



^>^»se;fe 



POLK TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF MARYVILLE. 



MOSES ALBAUGH, 



of the firm of Shortell & Albaugh, proprietors of billiard hall and saloon, 
is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and was born November 18, 
1827. He was there reared to manhood and received his education, and, 
at an early age, learned the trade of painting. That he is thoroughly 
conversant with that art may be inferred from the many fine jobs 
done by him in this city. In 1852, he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in 
Linn County, where he resided, working at his trade for three years, when 
he removed to Minnesota, then a territory. He resided in that state 
ten years, and from there he removed to this city, in 1868. Since his 
arrival here he has been recognized as the leading painter of the county, 
which reputation he deserves. He continued the business till December, 



718 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

1 88 1, when he became associated with Mr. Shortell in the present busi- 
ness. Mr. A. was united in marriage May 12, 1853, to Miss Sarah Wil- 
gerd, a native of Pennsylvania. They have four children living : Charles 
\\\, Julia S., Mary E. and William D. He has been an alderman of this 
city one term. Thus far, in his present bnsiness, Mr. A. has been suc- 
cessful, and their billiard room is a very fine one. 

JUDGE IRA K. ALDERMAN, 

of the firm of White & Alderman, attorneys and counselors at law, was 
born in Morgan County, Ohio, May 23, 1841. His father, Asahel A. 
Alderman, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Eliza A. Biddison, was principally raised in the same state. Ira 
was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on 
the farm and receiving an education in the neighborhood schools. When 
seventeen years of age he commenced teaching, and after having taught 
some three years, (making preparations to attend college), the war 
broke out. He then hastened to the front, and enlisted on the 12th of 
August, 1861, in Company B, Thirty-Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
which was under General George Crook. He served for over three 
years, taking part in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, 
among which were the Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, 
Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chickamagua, and many others. The 
constant exposure of Mr. A. proved disastrous to his health, but he 
remained in active service until the term of his enlistment had expired. 
He was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, on the 14th of September, 1864. 
After remaining some three years at home, recruiting his health, he 
moved westward and landed at Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, on 
the 22d, of April, 1866. In the latter part of December of the same year 
he came to Maryville, Nodaway County, where he engaged in teaching, 
and was one of the first teachers in the present school building. By 
this time his health had become improved, and in the summer of 1867 
he returned to Ohio. On the 31st of July of that year he married Miss 
Hallie S. Lallance, a worthy lady, of French-American origin, daughter 
• if [ohn Lallance, a resident of Ohio. She was born in Meigs County, 
Ohio, May 12, 1843. In October, 1868, Mr. Alderman returned with his 
wife to Maryville. He gave his attention to mercantile pursuits until 
the fall of 1870, when he was elected judge of the probate court of Nod- 
away Count)', and filled this position for four years with great credit to 
himself and constituents. He commenced the study of law while in 
Ohio, but completed his studies here, and was admitted to the bar in 
[871. In 1874 he actively engaged in the practice of law, his profession. 
In August, [879,he formed a partnership with L. [sham White, his present 
partner. They enjoy a large and lucrative practice, and have taken a 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 719 

front rank among the members of the Nodaway County bar. As careful, 
shrewd and pains-taking- lawyers, they have the entire confidence of those 
with whom they have business relations. Politically, Mr. A. is a staunch 
Republican, and the party finds in him an able advocate of its principles. 
He has been an active member of the M. E. Church for the past twenty- 
one years, and is at present superintendent of the Sabbath School. In 
May, 1880, he was a lay delegate to the General Conference at Cincin- 
nati. His family consists of three children : Dale V., born July 14, 
1869; Ada A., born May 8, 1871, and Ira Verne, born January 16, 1877. 
One son, Glen L., is deceased. 

JOHN G. ALLEN, 

the son of James and Delilah (Wright) Allen, was born near Salem, 
Washington County, Indiana, September 10, 181 1. His father, a car- 
penter by occupation, and his mother were both natives of North Caro- 
lina. John attended the old subscription schools of pioneer fame, to 
some extent, but obtained his education chiefly by self application. He 
remained at his birthplace until the age of fourteen, when he accompa- 
nied his parents to Putnam County, Indiana, and there resided until he 
came to Missouri, in the fall of 1838. He settled in Buchanan County, 
which was inhabited by roving bands of Indians, bought a claim, erected 
a log cabin, and cleared a farm, and there remained for twelve years. 
The country becoming settled, he was induced to locate in Nodaway 
County, which he did in 185 1. He purchased a claim having a cabin 
upon it, and commenced the improvement of his farm. Since then he 
has been an industrious citizen, and now owns 270 acres of land. A 
handsome residence adorns the site of his first dwelling, and from it a 
good view of Maryville, seven miles distant, is obtained. His orchard 
contains some 600 trees. Kelley Station, on the line of the Wabash 
Railroad, is situated on a part of his land, and the place is well stocked. 
During the war, Mr. A. endeavored to remain at home, but was unable 
to do so, and consequently he drilled many of the first companies, sub- 
sequently being elected captain of a company of the Enrolled Missouri 
Militia. He finally enlisted in the regular service, and was commissioned 
first lieutenant, serving as long as his health permitted Upon 
resigning he returned home. Mr. Allen has been twice married. First, 
in 1832, to Sally Cole, a native of Kentucky. They had three children : 
Jehu C, born December 5, 1833 ; James H., born January 24, 1838, and 
John G., born August 24, 1840. Mr. A. was again married in 1844, to 
Miss Nancy Graves, a native of Tennessee. Their family consists of 
Rebecca E. (now Mrs. Richard A. Bennett), born April 26, 1846; Jacob 
M., born October 8, 1852 ; George W.,born July 22, 1854; Marcus D. L., 
born December 8, 1855 ; Benjamin F., born February 21, 1857; Delilah 



720 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

A. (now Mrs. George McConnell), born April 24, 1863, and Martha G., 
born October 3, 1865. The youngest son, Benjamin F., and the young- 
est daughter, Martha G., now remain at home. The son is at present 
•conducting the farm and managing the business. Mr. A. is a member 
•of the I. O. O. F., belonging to White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, of Maryville. 
He helped to organize that lodge, and was one of its charter members. 
He has filled the position of school director for several terms. He is 
Republican in politics, and a member of the Christian Church. Now in 
"his seventy-second year, Mr. Allen is still energetic and sociable, and 
possesses many friends to cheer him in his declining years. 

JOSEPH E. ALEXANDER. 



There is no man in Nodaway County more favorably known than 
Judge Alexander. He is the third of eight children of Alexander T. 
and Mary (McCormick) Alexander, and was born in Missouri, Septem- 
ber 1, 1 8 1 5. His parents were natives of Lincoln County, North Caro- 
lina. They came to Missouri in 1809, and settled on a farm in Washing- 
ton County, where they lived until the death of the father, in 1848. Mr. 
Alexander spent the early part of his life on a farm. His opportunity 
for acquiring an education was very limited, being simply what the 
common schools of a frontier settlement afforded, they being few in 
number and inferior in quality, but he made the best use of his advan- 
tages, and by reading and personal observation, he has acquired such 
general information as has given him a prominent place in society. He 
removed to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1842, and in the spring of 1843 
•came to Nodaway County, locating five miles southwest of Maryville. 
Here he entered and opened a farm, and for a number of years had all 
the difficulties of a pioneer with which to contend, characteristic upon 
the first settlement of a new country. He was one of Nodaway's sub- 
stantial agriculturists until 1869, when he took up his abode in Mary- 
ville. In 1849 ne was deputy sheriff, and filled the unfinished term of 
sheriff, the regular incumbent of that office having resigned and gone to 
California. In 1862 he was appointed by the governor as one of the 
county judges. In 1864 he was elected sheriff, serving for two years ; as 
an official, Judge Alexander was found to be one of the most staunch 
and trustworthy. His views were clear and logical, indicating excellent 
judgment and a live interest for his adopted county. During his resi- 
dence he has been interested to some extent in mercantile pursuits, and 
was a member of the first banking house in Maryville. The judge has a 
fine library of well selected publications, is a great reader and an inter- 
esting conversationalist. He was married October 30, 1837, to Miss 
Mary Ann Currier, of Orleans County, Vermont. They have seven 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 721 

children living : Elizabeth, Henry C, Mary Francis, Emma Jane, Lenora 
A., Thompson A., and Curtiss. One is deceased, Angeline. 

JAMES E. ALEXANDER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was born in Washington County, Illi- 
nois, February 13, 1834, and was the son of William Alexander, a school 
teacher, and a native of Louisiana, and Parthena B. (Jones) Alexander, 
of West Virginia. James resided at his birthplace until 1844, when he 
accompanied his parents to Illinois, and in 1849 to Appanoose County, 
Iowa. His youth was principally spent in the States of Illinois and Iowa. 
April 11, 1856, he came to Missouri, and located in the northeast corner 
•of the county, on section 4, township 65, range 33. In the fall of i860 
Mr. A. returned to Appanoose County, Iowa, but came again to Nodaway 
County in the fall of 186 1. In May, 1877, he went to Kansas, but in two 
month's time returned. He now has 185 acres of land, an orchard of 
about 200 trees, and some graded stock, with necessary buildings. He 
was married April 1, 1855, to Miss Maria L. Hendery, daughter of John 
Hendery, a native of Virginia. This gentleman also came to Nodaway 
County at the same time of his son-in-law's arrival. Mr. and Mrs. Alex- 
ander have one child: Mary Ann, born July 19, 1863. He has held the 
offices of school director and road ovefseer. During the war he served 
in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He is Democratic in politics, and 
belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. A. is also the owner of two resi- 
dences in Maryville, and one lot east of the square and one lot near the 
Advent Church. His first bill for taxes in this county was seventy-five 
cents, and now it is about on an average of $100. 

CLARK ANDREWS 

was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 11, 1834. His father was 
William Andrews, and his mother's maiden name was Fannie Clark. 
Both were natives of Connecticut, and were among the pioneers of 
Richland County. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, in 
his native state, until fifteen years of age, and, in 1849, ne removed to 
Wisconsin, where he remained until 185 s. He then went to Minnesota. 
He enlisted, during the war, in Company F, First Minnesota, and was 
in the Army of the Cumberland. He served until the close of the war 
and participated in the grand review at Washington. In 1870, Mr. A. 
came to Missouri, and, since that period has been identified with the 
interests of the county. He was married in i860, to Miss Louisa Pitch, 
a native of New York. Their family consists of five children : Edward 
L., Ernest W. J., Eva L., Arthur C. and Harley H. 



722 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

J. J. ARMSTRONG, 

is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Washington County, 
December 17, 1810. His father, James, was a native of Washington 
County, and a son of Col. James Armstrong of Revolutionary war 
notoriety. It is frequently the case that trades and professsions are 
handed down in a family from one generation to another. Such is true 
in the Armstrong family as far back as the genealogy can be traced, 
they having been interested in iron working. The great grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch at an early day had a foundry at George- 
town, District of Columbia, and his son at an early day started a foundry 
in Western Pennsylvania and transferred his material across the Alle- 
gheny Mountains on horseback. James Armstrong, the father of J. J., 
was proprietor of a foundry and machine shop in Claysville, Washington 
County, Pennsylvania. Here Mr. A., at an early age, commenced and 
learned his profession. In 1833 ne entered the United States navy in 
the capacity of engineer, serving several years, after which he worked as 
journeyman in different cities, eventually engaging in business at Pome- 
roy, Ohio, in 1844. There he built the rolling mills of Messrs. Pomeroy 
& Horton, remaining one year, when he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and lived there two years. He then entered the Bureau of Construction 
in the United States navy, continuing several years. While connected 
with the navy he passed through the Mexican troubles and did good 
service during that memorable war. After the battle of Vera Cruz he 
volunteered from the navy and entered the ranks, still holding his posi- 
tion as master in the navy. He was in Lieutenant Totten's command, 
under General Scott, and was at the taking of the City of Mexico, and 
served through until the close, being once wounded. After returning to 
the states he located for a time in Mobile, Alabama, being on detached 
service, and superintending the constructing of the iron work on the 
Mobile custom house. Upon the completion of that structure he resigned 
and came to St. Louis, Missouri. While in that city he was for a time 
in the employ of the Excelsior Stove Works, and afterwards took charge 
of the foundry department of Palm & Robinson's Locomotive Works. 
He also had charge of Cuddy, Carpenter & Co.'s Broadway Foundry. In 
i860 Mr. A. moved to Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, and started a 
foundry, but this enterprise did not prove very remunerative, the slavery 
question being strongly agitated, and Mr. A. being an ardent Union 
man, it had a serious effect on his business. When the rebellion broke 
out it was his desire to rejoin the navy, but owing to family ties he was 
obliged to remain nearer home. He took an active part in organizing 
and recruiting a company, of which he was tendered the captaincy, but 
declined and accepted the position of orderly sergeant. He was princi- 
pally on detached service, and served through to the close, when he was 



POLK TOWNSH11'. 723 

honorably discharged. After the war he again turned his attention to 
the foundry business at Liberty, continuing until February, 1876, when 
he came to Maryville and established himself in trade. His business 
has been steadily and substantially on the increase, and will compare 
favorably with any in Northwestern Missouri. Mr. A. served seventeen 
years in the navy, where the most rigid discipline is observed and none 
but the best of mechanics and engineers are recognized. He is a Royal 
Arch Mason and Knight Templar, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He 
has been twice married — first in 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Garret, of 
Wheeling, Virginia. There are four children living by this marriage: 
Georgiana, Laura, Naomi and James. Mrs. A. died in 1856. In 1858 
Margaret Conner became his wife. They have one son : William. 

WILLIAM A. BAILEY, 

contractor and builder, is a native of Vermont, and was born in Orleans 
County, August 17, 1844. When eight years of age, he moved with his 
father to Louisa County, Iowa, where he was reared. His father was a 
farmer, and his early days were spent on the farm, afterwards learning 
the carpenter's trade. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He served through the war, par- 
ticipating in the most active campaigns, and received a wound at the 
battle of Prairie Grove. After peace was restored, he went to Ohio, and 
attended college at Farmington, and then returned to Louisa County, 
Iowa, where he lived for eighteen months. For six years he was engaged 
in teaching, and for a time after this was connected with the Freeman's 
Bureau, in Southern Alabama. In 1872, he came to DeKalb County, 
Missouri, and worked at his trade for eighteen months, and then went 
to Southern Texas, where he remained occupied at his chosen calling 
for six months. Mr. Bailey then returned to DeKalb County, and thence 
to Maryville, where he has been actively engaged as a prominent con- 
tractor and builder. He was married in 1872, to Miss Ella Lackey, of 
Hartford, Connecticut. 

L. A. BARITEAU, 

of the firm of Bariteau & Welch, grain dealers, is a native of Lewis 
County, New York, and was born December 12, 1834. His youth was 
spent in his native state. He learned the carpenter trade, and for a 
number of years followed it as an occupation. In 1866, he immigrated 
to Missouri, and settled in Savannah, Andrew County. In 1870, he 
removed to Maryville, Nodaway County, since which time he has been 
prominently identified with the interests of the county. He in company 
with others brought the first lumber to the town that was shipped in by 
rail, and for years conducted a successful lumber business. Latterly he 



724 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

has been engaged' in the grain trade, and the firm have elevators at most 
of the following points : Mound City, Maitland, Skidmore, Quitman, 
Hopkins, Pickering, Arkoe and Barnard. In his business transactions 
he is peculiarly clear and transparent, and has the unlimited confidence 
of every one with whom he has any intercourse. He is a man of good, 
sound understanding, and large practical experience and genial manners. 
He was married January 4, 1859, to Miss M. Peebles, also a native of 
Lewis County, New York. They have one son : Eugene, married to 
Miss Nettie Allen, of Bay City, Michigan. Mr. Bariteau is a member of 
Nodaway Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and of Nodaway Chapter. 

FRANK BARMANN, 

carriage manufacturer. One of the leaders of the manufacturing indus- 
tries of this county is Mr. Barmann, who, although but a few years in 
Maryville, has built up an immense trade, and finds demand for his work 
not only in Missouri but Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. His growing 
business necessitated him, in the season of 1881, to erect a large factory 
on the corner of Main and Fifth Streets. It is a two story brick struc- 
ture, 44x80 feet. He is employing a large force of skilled mechanics, is 
a thoroughly skilled workman himself, and gives the business his per- 
sonal attention. Mr. B. is a native of Ohio, and was born in Ross 
County, September 11, 1850. He was there educated and brought up, 
and also learned his trade in that vicinity. In 1873 he came to Missouri, 
sojourning for a time in St. Joseph. In 1875 he located in Maryville and 
established his present business. In January, 1881, Mr. B. married Miss 
Alena Keinster, of Grant County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the I. 
O. O. F. 

CHARLES BEAL, 

druggist, is a native of Barry, Clay County, Missouri, and was born 
October 7, 1-841. His father was one of the early settlers here, and a 
harnessmaker by trade. He carried on that business successfully for 
many years. The subject of this sketch came to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, with his father, in 1855, where he grew to man's estate, and 
remained until 1863, when he went to St. Joseph, and accepted a posi- 
tion in the drug house of Samuel Hays, the present postmaster at St. 
Louis. He remained with Mr. Hayes until 1868, then moved to St. 
Louis, and, for two years, was on the road as a traveling salesman. He 
subsequently embarked in the drug business, in Maryville, on his own 
account, and has remained ever since. Through his excellent business 
ability and social qualities, he has built up a good business, and gained 
many warm, substantial friends, securing a good trade. Mr. Beal was 
married, in 1872, to Miss Maqueda Semans. They have one son, Charles 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 725 

J. [Since the above was written we have heard of Mr. Beal's death, 
which occurred at his home February 17. Mr. Beal was an affectionate 
husband, a kind and indulgent parent and an esteemed citizen.] 

WILLIAM D. BELL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born in Barren County, Ken- 
tucky, November 22, 18 10. His father, Isaac, was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and of German descent. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Dills, was born in South Carolina. William accompanied his 
parents to Harrison County, Indiana, when he was quite young, and in 
1820 removed with them to Jackson County, where he resided until 
1 85 1 . He next located in Kendall County, Illinois, and after a period 
of three years made his home in Knox County, there remaining for 
fourteen years. Mr. Bell then came to Missouri and settled where he 
now resides in the fall of 1867, although he purchased the property in 
the fall of 1866.. He is now the owner of over 184 acres, well stocked 
with graded cattle, and under good improvement. Mr. Bell was form- 
erly a member of the I. O. O, F. He has been twice married ; first, in 
1832, to Elizabeth Thomas. They had five children : Sarah, born Janu- 
ary 26, 1834, (now the wife of H. Frey) ; Minerva (now Mrs. John Van- 
gilder), born April 4, 1836 ; Mary (now Mrs. M. Stephens), born August 
19, 1838; John T., born June 23, 1840, and William H., born February 
4, 1844. Mrs. B. was again married to Margaret Gaultney, February 9, 
1865. She has one child living by a farmer marriage, John L. Stafford, 
born November 12, 1844. Mr. B. is a very strong Republican. 

EDMUND G. BICKETT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 11, was born November 16, 1817, in 
Marion County, Kentucky. His father, Henry Bicket:, was a native of 
Maryland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Graves, 
was a Kentuckian by birth. Edmund spent his boyhood days on a farm 
at his birthplace, and received a good business education, which he com- 
pleted at St Mary's Seminary, of Marion County, Kentucky. He left 
his native place on the 6th of October, 1846, for the west ; took a steam- 
boat at Louisville, Kentucky, for St. Louis, thence up the Missouri River 
to Weston, and by ox team to Nodaway County, which was at that time 
almost a wilderness. Mr. B. remembers of counting forty-five deer in 
one drove, and frequently seeing thirty in a drove from his cabin door. 
Being a good shot, he says he enjoyed himself better in those days than 
at any time during his life. St. Joseph was their market and supply 
point. Maryville, their post office, was a cross-roads trading post. Since 
that early date Mr. Bickett has been identified with the growth. and 



726 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

prosperity of Nodaway County. He has filled his present office of justice 
of the peace for several terms to the entire satisfaction of all parties 
interested. He is well known and has the respect of all. He still 
resides on his original claim and owns 380 acres of rich land, and a fine 
orchard of some 400 bearing trees. He was married October 29, 1839, 
to Miss Parmelia Ray, an old schoolmate. She was born January 27, 
1 82 1. They have seven children living : Richard H., born February 12, 
1843; Susan M., born September 24, 1845, (now Mrs. David Reardon); 
Martha A., born August 24, 1848 ; Pernesa E., born November 24, 1852, 
(now Mrs. Peter Kirch) ; Harriet A., born February II, 1855 ; Laura E., 
born August 15, 1857, (now Mrs. B. Moran), and William G. W., born 
April 23, i860. Two, Ann F. and Parmelia E. are deceased. Himself 
and family are active members of the Catholic Church. He was the first 
Catholic in the county, to his recollection. 

A. L. BICKFTT, 

carpenter, is a native of Marion Count)', Kentucky, and was born Feb- 
ruary 13, 1830, being a son of Anthony and Ann (Knott) Bickett. The 
former was born in Alleghany County, Maryland, in 1783, and the mother, 
a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, was born in 1791 , and died in 
1866. With their parents, they moved to Marion County, Kentucky, in 
1798, and there they were married in 18 12. They settled in that county, 
where the father died in 1856. Mrs. Bickett, with the family, then came 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1857, an ^ settled some nine miles 
northwest of Maryville. A. L. spent his boyhood days in Marion County, 
Kentucky, and learned the carpenter's trade. He was married August 
3, 1853, to Miss Jane Collet, a native of Clay County, Missouri, born 
May 6, 1831. She died September 15, 1863, leaving three children: 
Joseph A., Rebecca L. and George W. Mr. Bickett was married the 
second time to Miss C. Refro, a native of Boone County, Missouri, born 
March 6, 1847. She died February 17, 1876, leaving five children : 
Charles L., Minnie J., Terera A., Frederick K., Maud G. Mr. B. married 
for his third wife, November 30, 188 1, Sarah Gillian, a native of Andrew- 
Count) 7 , Missouri, born March 6, 1840. She was a daughter of John and 
Eliza (Clark) Gillian, and by this union the)- have one child: Cecil. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are both church members. Mr. B. served some two years 
as assistant postmaster at Maryville, during the years of 1861 and 1862. 

J. M. BLACK, 

proprietor of the Arlington Hotel, was born in Bradford County, Penn- 
sylvania, on the 5th of June, 1830, and was raised in his native place on 
a farm, until fourteen years of age, when he learned the trade of woolen 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 727 

manufacture. Owing to poor health, he was compelled to abandon that 
occupation, and, for a short time, he taught school, and then for nine 
years engaged in the nursery business. In 1858, he removed to Ancona, 
Illinois, and, for five years, was in the drug trade. He then changed 
his residence to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and engaged in hotel keeping for 
six years, and continued the same until 1867, when his health compelled 
him to seek a climate more congenial. In 1867, he came to Maryville, 
and, in 1868, started a lumber yard, the first in the town. Since that 
time he has been a resident of the county, excepting when temporarily 
absent on account of the physical state of himself or family. He was 
the first to introduce the Poland China stock of hogs in this part of the 
county, and he has been closely identified with all that pertains to the 
interest and development of the county. In the capacity of landlord, 
his experience at Roseberry, and later at the Arlington, over which he 
now presides, proves his efficiency as a competent and accommodating 
host, and confirms the old proverb of " the right man in the right place.'' 
Mr. Black was married October 22, 1857, to Miss S. Smiley, of Bradford 
County, Pennsylvania. Their family consists of five children : Frank 
L., Jessie E., James C, Charles N. and Howard E. 

JOHN BLAIR, 

agent for the Singer sewing machines and dealer in organs and pianos, 
is a son of James and Mary (Wallace) Blair, and was born in Carroll 
County, Ohio, April 28, 1834, and at the age of four years, he was taken 
by the family to Logan County, Ohio. His parents were of Scotch- 
Irish descent, his father being an early settler of Logan County, Ohio. 
The subject of this sketch was there reared and received his education, 
and was there engaged in teaching school. In 1857 he went to Dela- 
ware County, Indiana, and continued the same occupation till 1865, with 
the exception of three years, when he was connected with a sash and 
blind manufactory. After this, he emigrated to Shelby County, Ten- 
nessee, where he was engaged in contracting and building, till 1S68, 
when he made his home in this city, where he has since lived. In 1869, 
he became the agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He has 
done a large business since becoming their agent, selling over 2,000 
sewing machines, besides doing a large trade in organs and pianos. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Pittenger, a native of Indiana. 
She was born, reared, and married within the radius of a mile. They 
have four children living : Charles A., Effie M., Carl B., and Harry W. 
Mr. B. is a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F. They are 
members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Blair has conducted for some time a 
very successful millinery business. On the 29th of September, 1879, she 
left Kansas City, on the Chicago and Alton Railroad, for St. Louis, and 



728 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

on the morning of the 30th the car on which she was riding collided with 
cars standing on the track at Larrabee Station, Audrian County, and 
Mrs. B. was severely wounded and taken to Mexico, Missouri. While 
here, the division superintendent and two lawyers in the employ of the 
company, effected a pretended compromise for injuries, paying her 
thirty dollars and taking her receipt in full. Of this transaction Mrs. 
B. has no knowledge, and after seeking an amicable settlement for inju- 
ries, etc., no attention was paid to Mr. Blair's claim, and he was forced 
to seek redress in the courts, and a bill in equity was filed and suit for 
damages instituted ; also a bill for loss of services and expenses on 
the part of Mr. Blair. In October, 188 1, Mrs. Blair received judgment 
for $5,000 for injuries, and Mr. Blair obtained judgment for $1,600. 
Both of these verdicts have been appealed to the Supreme Court. The 
amount of money awarded is small compensation for suffering and 
injured health on the part of Mrs. Blair. 

JOHN C. BOSCH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, is the son of John G. and Angelica 
(Long) Bosch, both of Germany, and was born in the city of Ulm, Wur- 
temburg, Germany, December 14,1815. He received a common school 
education, spending his youth at his birthplace, and while a boy he 
learned the carpenter trade. In 1840 he became superintendent of the 
waterworks and buildings of the city of Ulm, which position he filled for 
ten years. In May, 1850, he immigrated to America with his parents, 
landing at New York, and from there went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
remained for three months. Mr. Bosch next located in Monroe, Jasper 
County, Iowa, and for twenty-five years he was engaged in farming in 
that locality. In the spring of 1875 he came to Missouri, and on the 
28th of March settled in this county, where he now has 409 acres of 
improved land, stocked with thoroughbreds, some being short horn 
Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. He raises considerable stock. 
and upon his place are two good orchards, quite a vineyard, and a maple 
grove. Mr. Bosch was road overseer for two years. He has been twice 
married : First, in 1836, to Elizabeth Kramer. They had one child, 
Anna M., born September 28, 1837. She is now married. Mr. B. was 
married again August 18, 1853, to Sarah Asher, a native of Wayne 
County, Indiana. Their family consists of: Ery, born January 5, 1854; 
Albert, born April 4, 1856 ; Delilah, (now Mrs. Frank Hart), born April 
6, 1859 ; Martin W., born May 19, 1861 ; Emma, born July 16, 1866, and 
Benjamin, born November 19, 1869. Mr. B. is independent in his polit- 
ical views, lie was born and raised in the Evangelical Association. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 729 

WILHELM BREDENBECK, 

farmer and wine grower, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, on 
the 24th of September, 1834. His father, Leonard Bredenbeck, was also 
a native of Germany, and by occupation was a farmer. The maiden 
name of his mother was Miss Katie Four, and she was born in Germany, 
also. Wilhelm was reared at his birthplace, receiving the benefits of a 
common school education. He commenced to learn the baker's trade 
when fifteen years of age, and followed it while he remained in Germany. 
He came to the United States in 1857, landed at New York City, and 
then went to St. Louis, where he remained some time working at his- 
trade. He also made several trips up and down the Mississippi River. 
From New Orleans he went to Texas and joined the Confederate army, 
and served under Cornell Duncan at Forts Jackson and St. Philip. He 
was taken prisoner by Admiral Faragut and paroled. Mr. B. returned 
to Germany in 1863, and remained until 1868, when he again crossed the 
ocean, and settled in La Salle County, Illinois. He next went out on 
the Union Pacific Railroad, when it was in process of construction, and 
engaged in baking and cooking. Alter the completion of the road, he 
came to Missouri, and settled at Weston, Platte County, where he lived 
some ten months, then coming to Maryville. He resided in that city 
six years, when he purchased his present farm of fifty acres, adjoining the 
town of Maryville. He has a neat residence, a young orchard, and some 
three and a-half acres in vineyard. He owns an excellent wine press, 
and is largely interested in making wine, keeping a large supply con- 
stantly on hand. Mr. B. was married on the 6th of March, 1870, to Miss- 
Anna E. Cramer, a native of Germany. They have three children : 
William, Rosa and Amelia. They are members of the Reformed Pres- 
byterian Church. 

C. W. BRIGGS, 

photographer, was born in Conneautville, Crawford County, Pennsyl- 
vania, August 13, 1838. His father was Isaac Briggs, a native of New 
York, and by occupation a farmer. His mother's maiden name was 
Lucretia Field, also a native of New York. The youth of C. W. was 
spent in attending school, working on a farm and clerking in a store. 
He enlisted during the war in company D, Twenty-first Pennsylvania 
Infantry. In 1866 he moved to Kansas, and in autumn of the same 
year he came to Nodaway County. He followed teaching penmanship- 
for four years, and in 1867 he engaged in his present business. He was 
married November 10, 1861, to Miss Carrie Stanton. Mrs. B. was born 
June 10, 1843, m Ashtabula County, Ohio. At the age of eleven years- 
she entered Conneaut Academy, where she graduated at the head of 
her class after nearly five years of hard study and at the age of sixteen. 



730 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

She, very early in life, developed a remarkable talent for music, both 
vocal and instrumental, and during her academical course that talent 
was brought out by the most skilled vocalists and pianists. In May, 
1866, she accompanied her husband to Maryville, where they have since 
resided. At that time little was known of instrumental music here, 
though Nodaway County can now boast of as many excellent female 
musicians as any county in the state. Very much of the musical talent 
as developed in Nodaway Count)- is due to the patient energy of Mrs. 
Briggs. She adopted teaching music when she first came to Maryville, 
and the people learning of her proficiency have kept her busy for nearly 
sixteen years. The mind, like the diamond in its original state, is crude 
and unappreciated, but as the skill and utensils of the jeweler removes 
the external coat and brings to view the latent beauties of the diamond, 
so the skill of Mrs. B. as a teacher has brought thrilling to the admira- 
tion of thousands of people the musical talent of many, many young 
ladies which had before lay dormant, Mrs. Briggs is a great favorite 
with her sex, and has long been regarded as the finest vocalist in Mary- 
ville. Her voice is full, mellow and round, and it is not new to hear the 
remark, "She can sing like a linnet." In all the relations of life, 
whether as teacher, wife or mother, she is the same modest, dignified 
lady. The family of Mr. and Mrs. B. consists of two children : Claude, 
born March 9, 1864, and Lena, born September 3, 1868. 

O. L. BRIGGS, 

•of 0. L. Briggs & Co., dealers in hardware, stoves and agricultural 
implements, is a native of Jefferson County, New York, and was born 
near Sackett's Harbor, October 5, 1840. When nineteen years of age, 
his father, L. D. Briggs, removed to Illinois, and located at Waukegan. 
After residing there six months the subject of this sketch came to Nod- 
away County, Missouri, and remained some years. In 1861, he went to 
the Rocky Mountains, and engaged in mining and other pursuits. 
Returning to Missouri, in 1870, he established his present business. 
His brother, S. W. Briggs, a prominent stock dealer of this county, is 
associated with him, and the firm are doing a large trade, and have an 
■enviable standing in the community. Mr. B. was married in February, 
1868, to Miss Sallie A. Denning, of Nodaway County. They have a 
family of four children : George W., Albert H., Edna A. and Pearl. Mr. 
B. is a Master Mason, and a member of Maryville Lodge, No. 162. 

BROWN & MONTGOMERY, 

•dealers in real estate. This firm was organized in the fall of 1877, and 
is composed of Thomas H. Brown and R. C. Montgomery. Thomas II. 



l'OLK TOWNSHIP. 73 I 

Brown was born in Clermont County, Ohio, August 2, 1835. His father, 
John Brown, was of English origin, and was brought to the United 
States when quite young. By occupation he was a merchant. His 
mother's maiden name was Sarah A. Brannan. She was a native of 
Kentucky. Thomas was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending 
his boyhood days in the village of Indian Springs, and receiving his 
education in the schools of the vicinity. He assisted his father in the 
■store, thereby becoming familiar with the mercantile business, and after 
attaining a suitable age the business was entrusted entirely to him. In 
1858, he moved to Menard County, Illinois, with his mother and broth- 
ers, his father having died. After remaining there some seven years, 
engaged in farming, he emigrated west in May, 1866, and settled in 
Maryville, Missouri, where he began in the real estate business. This 
he has since followed, and has been satisfactorily successful. He is an 
active member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M. of Mary- 
ville. R. C. Montgomery was born in Halifax County, Virginia, April 
13, 1844. His parents were both natives of the same place, his father, 
John Montgomery, being a farmer by occupation. His mother's maiden 
name was Mary Ridgeway. R. C. accompanied his parents to Wash- 
ington County, Indiana, when three years of age, and spent his boyhood 
days on a farm and received an education in the neighborhood schools. 
When twenty-one he moved to Montgomery County, Illinois, and 
remained there some ten years. He was first engaged in the mercan- 
tile business, and then served four years as deputy county clerk. Emi- 
grating west in the spring of 1876, he arrived in Maryville on the 1st of 
February, of that year. Here he commenced in the real estate busi- 
ness, in which he has since been engaged. He is at present filling his 
third term as Alderman, and has filled the position of Notary Public 
some five years. Mr. M. was married December 3, 1875, to Miss Laura 
M. Kinsley, daughter of M. C. Kinsley, of Hillsboro, Illinois. She was 
born at that place. They have three children : Mamie, now five years 
of age ; Frank, now three years of age ; Nellie, aged one year. Mrs. 
M. is an active member of the M. E. Church of Maryville. 

JAMES N. BRYAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 25, was born on a farm in Highland 
County, Ohio, July 28, 1847, and is a son of John and Hannah (Warson) 
Bryan, the former an agriculturist, who was born in Pennsylvania, and 
the latter a Kentuckian by birth. James passed his youth at his birth- 
place, obtaining a common school education. When twenty years of 
age he commenced life on his own account, first working by the month 
until he had made a start. In March, 1869, he came to Missouri, and 
located in this county, where he now owns a farm of eighty-five acres. 



73 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

He has a fair amount of stock, a young orchard and comfortable resi- 
dence. On the 5th of March, 1872, Mr. Bryan was married to Miss 
Florence Morgan, a daughter of A. Morgan, Esq., of Indiana. They 
have two children : Frank H., born January 8, 1873, and Rosa, born July 
15, 1874. Mr. A. is Democratic in politics. 

HENRY CLAY BURNETT 

was born July 23, 1852, in Warren County, Iowa. His paternal ances- 
tors trace their origin to Germany. His maternal predecessors are of 
English extraction. His father was born in Dutchess County, New York,, 
in 1827; his mother in Maine, in 1832. Henry, at the early age of three 
years, came with his parents to Missouri, in 1855, and located in what is 
now known as Lincoln Township, in the northwestern part of Nodaway 
County. In the spring of i860 the family moved to Atchison County, 
and continued to reside there till the fall of 1864, and then removed to 
Nodaway County, where he has resided ever since. Although his eyes 
first opened upon the light in Iowa, he has grown to manhood in the 
State of Missouri. On December 29, 1878, in the city of Maryville, Henry 
was united in marriage to Clara E. Weiser, Rev. D. B. Lake officiating. 
Of this union one child was born, who died in infancy. His wife died on 
the 23d day of January, 1880. Henry is the son of a miller, who taught 
him that occupation, which he followed for several years. In the fall of 
1873 he taught his first term of school on the spot where he first began 
his education and the site of the last common school he ever attended^ 
In 1874 he spent a term at the Maryville high school, at that time under 
the superintendence of B. A. Dunn, now (1881) editor of the Maryville 
Republican. Alternately from 1874 to 1880 he taught in the common 
schools of Nodaway County, engaging also in the milling business. In 
1876 he went to the Exposition at Philadelphia, and visited New York v 
Baltimore, Washington and other Eastern cities. On January 1, 1881, 
he began the study of law in the office of Edwards & Ramsay, in Mary- 
ville, and was admitted to the bar December 2, 1881, by Judge Henry S. 
Kelley, and granted a license to practice law in the courts of the state. 
He has permanently located in Maryville, and is now engaged in the 
practice of law. He is a young man of studious habits, modest and 
unobtrusive in his manners, and applies himself with great assiduity to- 
the mastery of his chosen profession. 

ALLEN J. BURKS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, was born on a farm in Mercer County, 
Kentucky, on the 10th of June, 1814. His father, Allen Burks, a native 
of Virginia, was by occupation a hatter and a farmer, and lived to the 



I'OLK TOWNSHIP. 733 

age of ninety-three years. His mother, formerly Elizabeth Townsend, was 
born in South Carolina, near the town of Charleston. Allen spent his 
boyhood days on a farm, and received the benefits of a common school 
education. He accompanied his parents to Putnam County, Indiana, in 
1828, and remained there until 1839, when he immigrated west, and set- 
tled near Weston, Platte County, Missouri. After living there for seven 
years, he returned to Putnam County, Indiana, but came back to Mis- 
souri in the fall of 1855. and settled in Clarke County ; thence to Han- 
cock County, Illinois, in the fall of 1865, and from there to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, in the spring of 1873, locating where he now resides. 
He owns 174 acres of fine bottom land, upon which is a neat residence, 
with a fine view of the City of Maryville. His farm is well watered by 
springs, and stocked with different grades of stock. Mr. Burks is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. He 
has been twice married. First, about the year 1836, to Miss Elizabeth 
Chadd. She died in the fall of 1855, and left five children, three of 
whom are now living : John H., born October 28, 1838 ; David C, born 
September 2J, 1842, and Ruth C, born September 15, 1848, (now Mrs. I. 
J. Crossen). He was married again on the 15th of May, 1856, to Mary 
S. Waggner, a native of Clarke County, Mo., born September 6, 1833- 
By this union they have seven children : Alexander C, born December 
8, 1858 ; Martha A., born April 10, 1862; William A., born February 8, 
1865 ; Eugene, born November 25, 1866 ; Cassia, born May 12, 1869 ; 
Robert E. L., born in April, 1871; Ada, born September 1, 1875. Him- 
self and wife are active members of the Christian Church, of Rose Hill. 

JOHN H. BURCH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 26, was born on August 22, 1843, in 
Greene County, Indiana, being a son of John and Lucy B. Burch. The 
former, a farmer by occupation, was born in Surry County, North Caro- 
lina. The latter was a native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. John 
H. Burch received a common school education, and in 1855, he left his 
birthplace, and with his parents moved to Fayette County, Iowa. There 
he resided until 1866, when he purchased his present farm. It is one of 
the oldest settled farms in this vicinity, and contains 320 acres, being 
stocked, and upon it is an orchard and vineyard. In 1862, or when nine- 
teen years of age, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-eighth Iowa Infan- 
try, at Camp Franklin, Dubuque. He is Democratic in politics, and has 
held the position of school director. Mr. Burch is a member of Noda- 
way Lodge, No. 347, of Pickering, in which lodge he holds the office of 
vice grand. He was married November 2, 1862, to Miss Martha Bishop, 
a daughter of Solomon Bishop. They have seven children : Melissa L., 
born July 19, 1863 ; James A., born May 23, 1867; Abigail and Abner, 



734 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

twins, born July 17, 1870; Sarah J., born September II, 1874; John S. r 
born May 16, 1876, and Sabitha, born March 23, 1879. Mr. B. com- 
menced life without means, only -having one two year old colt. His 
mother, nearly eighty years of age, is living with him. She is still hale 
and hearty, and bids fair to see many more years. 

C. H. BUTHERUS, 

merchant tailor, is a native of Russia, and was born in the town of Sar- 
ataw, December 10, 1855. He was educated in his native town, being 
reared on a farm till fifteen years of age, when he began to learn the 
tailor's trade, serving as an apprentice four and a-half years. October 
27, 1876, he started to America and landed in New York, on December 
16th of the same year. He then went to Toledo, Ohio, and from there 
to Burlington, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for five months, when 
he located in Red Oak. There he continued his chosen calling for 
two years and eight months, at the expiration of which time he came to 
Maryville. Since then he has been carrying on his present business. 
Mr. B. was married at Red Oak, August 20, 1877, to Miss Katie Myer. 
She was born in the same town as himself, in 1858, and came to America 
in the year 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Burtherus have two children, Minnie and 
Frank. 

DR. S. V. CAMPBELL 

is a native of Jennings County, Indiana, and was born August 26, 1832. 
His youth was spent at his birthplace, on a farm, and he was educated at 
a seminary under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, Prof. G. Dun- 
ning, principal. After graduating he read medicine with Dr. James C. 
Burt, a prominent physician of Vernon, the county seat of Jennings 
County. He was a native of New Jersey. Mr. Campbell attended lec- 
tures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and at St. Louis, and was graduated in 
1854. He commenced practicing medicine at Lebanon, Boone County, 
Indiana, and then removed to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, being one of the 
first physicians to settle at this point. In 1861 he went into the service 
as First Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infan- 
try, and continued in active service until the autumn of 1864, when he 
resigned. He then returned to Iowa and settled in Dallas Count)', where 
he had a large practice. In September, 1879, Dr. C. came to Missouri 
and located in Maryville, where he has since been engaged in active 
practice, and has attained to a well merited success. He was married in 
1855 to Miss Carrie Davis, of Indiana. They have five children : W. A., 
J. A., Emma, Burt and Scott. 



FOLK TOWNSHIP. 735 

CHALES E. CARR, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born in Onandaga County, New 
York, on the 31st of August, 1833. His father, Daniel Carr, a native of 
Rhode Island, was by occupation a farmer. His mother was Miss Rhoda 
Watson, a native of York State. When Charles was two years and a-half 
old they moved to Cattaraugus County, New York, and settled about 
fifty miles south of Buffalo. There he was principally raised, spending 
his boyhood on the farm, and receiving the benefits of a common school 
education. When sixteen years of age he commenced teaching, and fol- 
lowed it some three years, when he went to New York City and engaged 
as clerk in a store. He remained there three years, after which he made 
a visit to his old home, and then immigrated west to LaSalle County, 
Illinois. After teaching about six months, he fell a victim to the Cali- 
fornia gold fever, and started for the new Eldorado. While passing 
through Southern Iowa the rich land attracted his attraction, and upon 
inquiry he found it was for sale at Government price ($1.25) per acre. 
He, therefore, concluded to settle. Borrowing an ax, he marked out his 
claim, and cut a few poles and started his cabin near the present site of 
Braddyville. There he made his home until 1867. He made a trip to 
Idaho in the spring of 1863, and spent seventeen months in the West, 
then returning to his old home. In 1867 he purchased a piece of 
unbroken land in Nodaway County, near Clearmont, and in March, 1874, 
he located where he now resides. His landed estate now consists of 
1,000 acres of fine land. He has a handsome residence, some four miles 
southeast of Maryville, from which a view of the city may be obtained. 
He also has a large barn, a young orchard, and his farm is well watered 
and stocked. This is one of the finest and largest stock farms in the 
county. Mr. C. stands among the old pioneers of Nodaway County, and 
is widely and favorably known. He commenced life poor, his first team 
consisting of a yoke of two-year old steers, for which he worked 
forty days. He is now one of the solid men of Nodaway County. Mr. 
Carr has been twice married — first in May, 1857, to Miss Mary J. Guthrie. 
She died on the 15th of May, 1873, leaving six children, five of whom are 
living: Lewis R., born July 7, 1858 ; Emma R., born March 7, 1861, (now 
Mrs. John Whitnack) ; Albert, born April 19, 1866; Fred, born January 
20, 1870; and Charlie C, born August 11, 1871. He was married again 
on the 23d of March, 1874, to Mrs. Lucy Colburn, a widow with one 
child, Herbert O. Colburn, born November 9, 1867. Mrs. C. is a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church. 

PROFESSOR E. R. CARR, 

principal of the Maryville schools, was born in Ashland, Ohio, August 4,. 
1845. His parents, John and Catharine (Casebeer) Carr, were also 



736 biographical. 

natives of Ohio. E. R. accompanied his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, 
in 1855, and there he was principally raised. He first took a course at 
the Wesleyan University, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, then attended the acad- 
emy at Iowa City. When twenty-one years of age, he commenced 
teaching, and paid his own way through college. He was graduated 
from the State University at Iowa City, in 1875, with the title of P. P. H. 
During the war, Mr. Carr took an active part by enlisting February 29, 
1864, in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry. He was mustered out the 22d 
of August, 1865, having been kept in pursuit of General Price, in the fall 
of 1864. His regiment followed him from Little Rock, Arkansas, to St. 
Louis, then to Independence, Missouri, thence to Fort Smith. On this 
expedition they were three days without food. Mr. Carr's horse fell 
under him from fatigue, and he footed it the rest of the way. He subse- 
quently took part in Wilson's expedition through the Gulf States, from 
Lost Point, Mississippi, thence to Selma, Alabama, from there to Mont- 
gomery, then to Columbus, which was taken by assault on the night of 
the 1 6th of April, 1865. After this they did provost duty in Augusta, 
Georgia, until mustered out. At the close of the war, Mr. Carr returned 
to Iowa, and continued his studies. In 1871, he became principal of the 
high school of Mongolia, Iowa, and in the years 1872-3, he filled the 
position of principal of the high schools of Atlantic, Iowa. He settled 
at Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, in the autumn of 1875, where 
he had charge of the schools for five years. In 1880, he went to Rock 
Port, and remained in charge of the schools of that place one year. 
Professor Carr came to Maryville .in 1881, when he took charge of the 
public schools, and has since proved himself to be a successful educator. 
In 1878, he received the degree of A. M., at Iowa City. He filled the 
position of county school commissioner for two terms while in Andrew 
County. Politically he is a Republican, and is a strong prohibitionist. 
He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Savannah, also of the I. O. O. F. 
Professor C. was married April 5, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth M. Haroff, 
daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Haroff, of Muscatine, Iowa. She is a 
native of Ohio, and was born the 25th of May, 1846. They have four 
daughters: Olive P., born March 3, 1871 ; Iona M., born December 6, 
1874 ; Elna T., born May 27, 1878 ; Elizabeth A., born February 20, 1 880. 
Mr. C. is a member of the M. E. Church, while Mrs. C. belongs to the 
United Brethren Church. 

J. W. CARR, 

attorney, is a native of Whiteside County, Illinois, and was born Sep- 
tember 21, 1852. His grandfather was among the pioneers of that state. 
The father of the subject of this sketch died on the 26th of September, 
1 861, J. W. being the oldest of five children who, with the mother, were 
left in humble circumstances. He spent his youthful days tilling the 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 737 

soil, assisting his mother in the maintenance of the family, and attend- 
ing the common schools when the opportunity would permit. He early 
decided to become a practioner at the bar, and with that object in view 
he labored diligently and continuously. He worked as a farm hand for 
a small sum per day, but husbanded a sufficient amount to enable him 
to attend the State University at Urbana, where he commenced a course 
in the autumn of 1872. His sinking fund, after paying for books, etc., 
was eight dollars, and to make that amount hold out for a three years 
course required not only good financiering, but an indomitable will and 
energy. A great portion of his time during the interval of recitations 
was employed in doing odd jobs in town, such as working in printing 
offices and carpenter shops, yet he kept up in three and the greater por- 
tion of the time in four classes, his standing on general reports being 
ninety-two and one-half per cent. Economy during this time was his 
first law. In company with another student he boarded himself, attend- 
ing to his own culinary department. After completing his education he 
left Urbana with seventeen dollars more than he had when commencing, 
and returnd home, and the same season, with his brother, Charles W., 
entered the harvest fields of Illinois, and continued work in Iowa and 
Minnesota, as the season progressed, until leaving that occupation at 
Rochester, Minnesota. They walked to Wabashaw, the nearest point 
on the Mississippi River, where they purchased a skiff and rowed down 
the river to Albany, Illinois, a distance of 228 miles, in fifty-two hours, 
traveling during the day only. In the autumn of 1875, he entered the 
law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, and 
during vacation pursued his studies in the offices of A. D. Crane and 
Judge Cooley. His diploma was granted March 28, 1877, from Ann 
Arbor Law School. After a temporary sojourn in Illinois, Mr. Carr 
came to Missouri, arriving in Maryville, May 15. His means were 
limited, he had no acquaintances, and still inexperienced in his profes- 
sion, the outlook was not favorable. Securing office room with Judge 
Alderman, he commenced active practice, the compensation for the first 
month amounting to fifty cents. This steadily and solidly increased as 
his reputation became known, until now it compares favorably with any 
in Nodaway County. Upon locating in Maryville, he spent a few days 
of each week at Barnard. He was admitted to all the courts of Noda- 
way County, May 22, 1877, before Judge Kelley, and admitted to prac- 
tice in the United States Courts, October 19, [88 1. He is highly 
esteemed on account of his scrupulous regard for principle and justice, 
and honored as a private citizen. On the 29th of January, 1878, Miss 
Jennie M. Thompson became his wife. She is the daughter of Samuel 
A. Thompson, of Whiteside County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have 
two daughters : Myrtle M., and Amable B. Mr. C. is a member of the 

47 



J^S BIOGRAPHICAL. 

I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. Of the former he is permanent secretary, 
and of the latter P. M. and financier. 

SAMUEL S. CASTEEL, 

of the firm of Casteel & Lomax, proprietors of livery, feed and sale 
stables, was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, September 15, 
1843. His father, J. H. Casteel, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Miss Nancy McCreary, were both natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel 
was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on 
the farm, and receiving an education in the neighborhood schools. 
In 1866, he immigrated west, and settled six miles east of Maryville, on 
a farm, where he improved ninety acres, and remained upon it some 
fourteen years. He moved to Maryville in 1880, and was engaged in 
the hardware business one year, after which he purchased a livery stock, 
and, on the 13th of June, 1881, formed a partnership with Mr. L. Lomax, 
by combining their- stocks. They conducted two barns until January, 
1882, when they put their stock in one barn. They have a large and 
complete outfit, and a good line of buggies, etc. Their livery is one of 
the best in Maryville. -Mr. C. is an active member of Maryville Lodge, 
No. 145, A. F. and A. M. Politically, he is an Independent Democrat- 
He owns residence property in the east p"art of town. He was married 
February 18, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Blakley, daughter of Mathew 
Blakley, of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. She was born in that 
county in March, 1844. They are active members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. and Mrs. C. have raised one child, Miss Louisa Cook. She 
is now about eighteen years old. 

J. W. CHAMBERS 

is of the firm of Chambers, Whitehead & Co., grain dealers and shippers. 
Their main office is at Maryville, while the branch offices are at Concep- 
tion, Kelley and Roseberry. At Dawsonville they have an elevator, and 
also one each at Corn, Clarinda and Morsman, Iowa. The firm is com- 
posed of J. W. Chambers, C. D. Whitehead and Charles S. Maxwell. It 
was organized November 1, 1881, from the old firm of J. W. Chambers 
& Co., which was formed in 1879. J- W. Chambers was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Indiana, February 20, 1836. His parents, David and 
Susannah (Kennedy) Chambers, were both natives of Virginia. J. W. 
was reared to manhood at his birthplace and received the benefits of a 
good common school education. His father owning a farm and flour 
and saw mill, he obtained a knowledge of the milling business. When 
President Lincoln issued his call for three years' volunteers he enlisted 
in Company L, Fifth Indiana Cavalry. He took part in the battles of 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 739 

East Tennesee, including the siege of Knoxville, then joined Gen. Sher- 
man on his Georgia campaign and the siege of Atlanta. He was cap- 
tured on the 28th of July, 1864, on General Stone's raid below Atlanta 
and was taken to the noted Andersonville prison, and thence to Charles- 
ton. His next prison pen was at Florence, and then Libby prison, finally 
being exchanged at Richmond on the 24th of February, 1865. He was 
ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, and was mustered out the 20th of June, 
1865. During his service he filled the position of quartermaster-sergeant, 
and was promoted to orderly sergeant. At the close of the war he turned 
his attention to farming and stock dealing. Mr. Chambers remained in 
Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, until 1872, when he moved to 
Indianapolis and engaged in the real estate business for some five years. 
He then began in the flour and feed business ; he opened a feed store in 
Indianapolis ; owned a grist mill in the western part of the state, at 
Catlin, and handled grain at several points. In November, 1879, ne 
emigrated west and settled at Maryville, where he has since been engaged 
in the grain business. The firm has a large and increasing business, and 
handle about one million bushels of grain per year. Mr. Chambers has 
filled the position of town councilman several terms, while in the east 
He was married September 1, 1864, to Miss Mollie A. Maxwell, a daughter 
of Dr. W. T. Maxwell, of Newton County, Indiana. She was born in 
Crawfordsville, Indiana, October 15, 1844. They have had three chil- 
dren : William H., born October 28, t866; Wiona G., born September 
16, 1868, and Mary E., born October, 1871. Himself and family are active 
members of the Christian Church, of Maryville, in which he holds the 
position of deacon. 

WILLIAM P. CHERRY, 

proprietor of the Maryville Business College, was born at Carthage, 
Illinois, November 27, 1853. His father, John W. Cherry, a native of 
Overton County, Tennessee, was by occupation a grain and stock dealer. 
His mother, whose maiden name was Paulina E. Chandler, was born and 
reared in Kentucky. William was reared to manhood at his birth place, 
and after receiving a preparatory education in the high schools of the 
city, he entered Carthage College. After finishing a four years' course 
here he entered the Gem City Business College of Ouincy, Illinois, and 
was graduated from that institution in October, 1872. During the year 
1873 he filled the position of deputy clerk of the Circuit Court of Han- 
cock County, Illinois. In the fall of 1874 he entered La Grange Col- 
lege of La Grange, Missouri, as a student and teacher, and taught the 
commercial department until 1878. He graduated in May, 1877, from 
the scientific department. The faculty wishing to retain him as a 
teacher, persuaded him to stay one year. He then returned to Hancock 
County, Illinois, where he recruited his health. Being a strong Demo- 



74° BIOGRAPHICAL. 

crat, he canvassed his county three times in the interest of his party. 
He located at Maryville in the fall of 1880, and founded the Maryville 
Business College, which has proved very beneficial to the young people 
of this vicinity and has supplied a long felt want. His average enroll- 
ment for the year 1881 was 135. He employs an assistant, Mr. L. H. 
Thompson, who received his education at the La Grange school. Dur- 
ing the summer vacation Mr. Cherry acted as clerk of the Probate 
Court of Maryville from May until November, and during the absence 
of Judge Snyder the full charge of the business fell upon the shoulders 
of Mr. C. He has been a self made man, and possesses a great amount 
of will and energy. He was married on the 8th of September, 1879, to 
Miss Emma I. Grigsby, daughter of Judge S. J. Grigsby, of Illinois. 
She was born in that state June 10, 1861. They are active members of 
the Baptist Church of Maryville. 

B. E. CONDON, 

of the firm of Dunn & Condon, proprietors of the Maryville Republican, 
was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in September, 1850. His father was 
A. J. Condon, a native of Maryland, and his mother's maiden name was 
Ann E. Shaw. She was born in Connecticut. When six years of age 
the parents of B. E. Condon removed to Missouri, and settled in Andrew 
County, where he attended school until fourteen years of age. He then 
entered the office of the New Era, and learned the printer's trade, and 
has since followed his chosen occupation. He has been a resident of 
Nodaway County for eleven years. In 1879, ne purchased an interest in 
the Maryville Republican. In 1879, he married Miss Mattie Vaughn, a 
native of Andrew County, Missouri. They have two children, Jettie E. 
and Gertie. 

C. CONRAD, 

farmer, section 12, was born in Fishbaugh, Germany, September 5, 182 r, 
and is the son of Philip and Mary (Spindler) Conrad, both natives of that 
country. He received a good common school education, and was prin- 
cipally brought up on a farm, although he learned the tailor's trade. In 
1843 he came to Baltimore, Maryland, and from there to Missouri in 
1853, locating in St. Louis, where he was engaged in working at his 
trade. In 1856 he removed to this county, where he now owns 200 acres 
of land, with an average amount of stock. During the war he served for 
three years in the state militia, and held the position of corporal, having 
participated in the battles of Springfield, on the Blue, in Jackson County, 
and others. He is Republican in politics, and his religious preferences 
arc with the Lutherans. Mr. Conrad was married in 1845, to Christian 
Ruff, a daughter of Jacob Ruff, of Baltimore. They had four children : 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 741 

Louise, (now Mrs. Levi Taylor), born in 1846; George, born in 1848; 
Dora, (now Mrs. Henry Eckert), born in 1850; and Fennimore C, born 
in 1854. Mr. C. is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. 

F. C. CONRAD, 

farmer and stock raiser, is the son of Cassimere and Christina (Ruff) 
Conrad, and was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 4th of February, 
1854. His parents were both natives of Germany, and the father was a 
tailor by occupation. In 1856, Fennimore located in this county, where 
he is now engaged in tilling the soil. He is in partnership with his 
father, the latter owning the land, while the son conducts the farm. He 
received a common school education in his youth, being brought up as a 
farmer boy. He was married March 7, 1880, to Maggie McDaniel, a 
daughter of John McDaniel, of Kentucky. They have one child: Maud, 
born January 23, 1881. Mr. Conrad is Republican in his political pref- 
erences. 

GEORGE CONRAD, 
• 

of the firm of Conrad & Totterdale, contractors and builders, was born 
on the 12th of April, 1850, being a native of Baltimore, Maryland. When 
at the age of four years he was taken by the family to St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, where he resided two years, and in 1856 he emigrated to this 
county. He was here reared to manhood and educated, following farm- 
ing till thirteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the wagon- 
maker's trade, and which he served two years. He then returned to 
farming, and after two years he began work at his trade, of which he is 
now so thorough a master. Mr. C. continued to do carpenter work till 
1872, when he, in company with J. Gile, began contracting and building. 
They did a very successful business for one and a-half years, when Mr. 
C. withdrew from the firm, but continued to work with the new firm of 
Gile & Southwell till 1875, when he, with Mr. Totterdale, formed the 
present partnership. Mr. Conrad was united in marriage in March, 
1872, to Miss Elizabeth J. Wray, a native of Ohio. They have to bless 
this happy union three children : Gertrude, Henrietta and Ladora. He 
is a member of Nodaway Lodge No 470, A. F. and A. M., and is its 
present senior warden. He is also a member of White Cloud Lodge No. 
92, 1. O. O F., of this city, and has held all the offices of a subordinate lodge. 
The firm of Conrad & Totterdale, although not among the recent acquisi- 
tions to the city of Maryville, are not the oldest, but the reputation to 
which they have attained is a guarantee of their continued success. 

F. M. COOPER, 

of the firm of Cooper & Glasgow, proprietors of the Luona Hotel, is 
deserving of special mention as one of the most enterprising citizens of 



742 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Maryville. He was born in Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio, February 
22, 1838, and lived there until 1855, his youth being spent on a farm. In 
1855, he removed west, and for several years made his home in Dakota 
Territory and Colorada, where he was engaged in mining, with a good 
degree of success. In 1871, he married Miss Laura McWilliams, of St. 
Joseph, Missouri. Mrs. Cooper died in February, 1876, leaving two chil- 
dren : Alice and Luona. The name of the latter is given to the hotel, 
and also to a mine, which has yielded a large revenue to its proprietors. 
In 1881, Mr. Cooper returned to Maryville, and erected the above hotel, 
which is an elegant three-story brick structure, which is 66x98 feet on 
the ground, and will be elaborately finished and ready for opening the 
coming March. This will be one of the finest hotels in Northwest Mis- 
souri, and has cost the enterprising owners $26,000. The owners are 
among the most enterprising men of the city, and deserve great credit 
for this new and elegant acquisition to the notably fine structures of this 
growing town. 

ISAAC COX, 

section 7, was born November 5, 1803, in Richmond, Madison County, 
Kentucky. His father, Joseph Cox, a farmer by occupation, was a native 
of Kentucky. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Newland, was 
born in Pennsylvania. Isaac passed his youth at his birthplace on a 
farm, obtaining his education in the old log school houses of that early 
day. His father, who owned a shop, hired a blacksmith, and when Isaac 
became twenty-one years of age, he commenced to learn that trade. He 
worked at that occupation, splitting rails and clearing ground until he 
was twenty-five, when he began working at carpentering, which, with 
other odd jobs, he continued until he was thirty-four. Mr. C. was then 
married and bought a piece of land, with a saw and grist mill, which after 
operating for four years, he found proved a failure. He came west in the 
July just before the land in the Platte Purchase was offered for sale (1842) 
and first stopped a short time in Buchanan County. Then he came to 
this county, locating near the place where he now resides, took up a 
claim, but shortly after sold it and purchased the one on which he now 
lives. This he entered, and some two years after his log cabin and all 
his household goods were destroyed by fire. Mr. Cox moved to Platte 
County, where he worked at the carpenter trade and other occupations 
until obtaining enough to liquidate the back payments on his property. 
He erected another building, which was subsequently burned and again 
rebuilt. He helped to construct many of the first buildings in Maryville, 
the town then being but very thinly populated. In the early days of the 
Bounty he was very fond of hunting, and was the owner of a fine hound, 
which he called Drum, an unusually intelligent dog. It was finally poi- 
soned,, to Mr. Cox's great regret. lie now owns 200 acres of land, with 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 743 

some blooded stock, and an orchard of about i, 800 apple trees, 100 bear- 
ing peach trees, and considerable small fruit. He was married about the 
year 1837, to Miss Lucy A. B., daughter of Benjamin Boatright, a native 
of Virginia. They had four children: Elizabeth H., born in 1839; Wil- 
liam Y., born in 1842; Theodore B., born in 1843 ; and Benoni A., born 
in March, 1845. Mr. Cox had two sons in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, 
who were afterwards in the regular service. He has held the office of 
school director. He is Republican in politics, and was formerly a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. 

JOHN B. COX, 

manufacturer of harness and saddles, etc., and dealer in boots and shoes, 
is a native of Jay County, Indiana, and was born July 23, 1850. He 
learned the harness-making trade in his youth, and completed it in St. 
Joseph, Missouri, where he lived for several years. In 1869, he came to 
Maryville as a journeyman, and in 1875 embarked in business on his 
own account, and rapidly succeeded in securing a liberal patronage, and 
at the present time is one of the active and successful business men of 
the town. Mr. Cox was married in 1874 to Miss Emma C. Lawrence, of 
Michigan. They have three children living : Johnnie L., Clarence E., 
and Dessie Pearl ; lost one daughter, Maudie Belle. Mr. C. is a mem- 
ber of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F. 

S. L. CRAIG, 

of the firm of Craig Brothers, attorneys and loan agents, is a native of 
Gallatin County, Kentucky, and was born February I, 1847. He was 
educated at Ghent College, Kentucky, and was graduated in 1869. Hav- 
ing formed a preference for the law as a profession, he commenced read- 
ing with J. M. Collins, of Crittenden. He was admitted to the bar in 
1 87 1, and for two years practiced in Kentucky, and in 1873 he came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, settling in Maryville, where he has been 
actively identified with the interests of Nodaway County. The firm 
have complete and reliable abstract books of all lands in the town and 
county. Mr. Craig was married in 1873 to Miss Annie M. Collins, of 
Maysville, Kentucky. They have a family of three children : Mary, 
Virginia, and Ellen. 

J. M. CRAIG, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born near Ghent, Gallatin County, 
Kentucky, September u, 1849, and ,s tne son °f A - G - ancl Virginia 
(Brooking) Craig, both Kentuckians by birth. J. M. passed his youth 
ac his birthplace, on a farm, and received good educational advantages, 
having attended Ghent College, from which he was graduated with 



744 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

honor. When twenty-one years of age, he commenced business - for 
himself, by working by the month, and, in 1873, he came to Missouri, 
locating near Bridgewater, in August of that year. He now owns 240 
acres of land, and has one-half interest in 333 acres, where he resides. 
His farm is well stocked, and upon it is an orchard. On the farm 
located about a mile and a half from the business portion of Maryville r 
Mr. Craig is erecting a fine residence, which will be an ornament to the 
township. He has been active in building up the county, and is hon- 
ored by all who know him. He has been a member of the Good Tem- 
plars, and also of the Grange. He has been school director several 
terms. Mr. Craig was married December 26, 1876, to Nannie Keene, 
daughter of L. C. Keene, a native of Kentucky. He is a Democrat and 
a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

LOUIS N. CRAIG, 

of the firm of Hawkins & Craig, grocers, was born in Carroll County, 
Kentucky, December 22, 1842, and resided in his native county till 1871, 
being reared on a farm. He was afterwards engaged in teaching, and 
was also for a time occupied in the drug business. While there he was 
county assessor for one term. In 1871 he came to Missouri and located 
in Pettis County, where he was engaged in teaching and selling drugs, 
his drug business being in Windsor, of the adjoining county. In the fall 
of 1874 Mr. Craig came to Nodaway County and located on a farm west 
of Maryville, where he resided one year, then moving into Maryville. 
He acted as deputy circuit clerk for two years under Henry Graves, after 
which he was engaged in various works, assessing, abstracting, etc. As 
an abstract writer he is considered by those acquainted w r ith him, one of 
the best in the city of Maryville. He was also city clerk three years. 
In November, 1880, he began in his present business. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. C. was married December 15, 1874, to 
Miss Mary E. Means, a daughter of Robert D. and Susan (Tindall) 
Means, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. C. was born in Pettis County, 
Missouri, in September, 1856. They have two children : Claude and 
Edward. The parents of Mr. C. were Joseph and Emily (Taudy) Craig, 
both of whom were born in Kentucky. 

GEORGE S. CRUMP, 

dealer in agricultural implements, farm machinery, seeds, &c, was born 
near Wheeling, in Ohio County, West Virginia, November I, 1833. His 
father, John Crump, was a merchant, and George spent his early days 
in attending school and clerking in his father's store. From Virginia he 
moved to Morrow County, Ohio, and then to Griggsville, Pike County, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 745" 

Illinois, where he worked at the wagonmaking trade. He subsequently 
removed to Brookfield, Linn County, and for nine years traveled in the 
interest of the Champion Reaper Company. In February, 1880, he 
came to Maryville, and embarked in his present business, in which he 
has been satisfactorily successful. Mr. C. was married in 1857 to Miss 
Lucinda Cadwell, who was born in Tennessee, but principally reared in 
Griggsville, Pike County, Illinois. They have four children : John W., 
Lois M., Mary Ada, and Nora D. Mr. Crump is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Nodaway Chapter and Cour de Leon 
Commandery No. 14, of Brookfield, Mo. 

CURFMAN & SHAUM, 

dealers in hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., are numbered among the 
leading and substantial business men of Nodaway County. The firm 
has a branch store at Tarkio, Atchison County, and are doing a large 
trade, and thoroughly merit the esteem in which they are held in the 
community. John C. Curfman, is a native of Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, was born February 20, 1843, an d is the son of Christian 
Curfman and Margaret (Garrett) Curfman. In 185 1 his father removed 
to Jefferson County, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In 1865 the subject 
of this sketch came to Savannah, Andrew County, and remained there 
four years, occupied in mercantile pursuits. In 1870 he came to this 
county and established his present business. He married Miss Lenora 
A. Alexander in 1872. She is the daughter of the Hon. Joseph Alex- 
ander, an early settler of this county. Their family consists of four 
children : Edward C, Frederick L., George H., and Joseph C. Mr. C. is a 
member of Nodaway Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and White Cloud Lodge, 
I. O. O. F. B. F. Shaum is a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, and was 
born November 21, 1839. His father was John Shaum, and his mother's 
maiden name was Rebecca Lehr, both of whom were of German ances- 
try. B. F. lived at his birthplace until 1858, and then came to La 
Grange, Missouri, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. During 
the war he enlisted in the One Hundred and fifty-third Pennsylvania 
Infantry, and was commissioned lieutenant. He participated in some of 
the most severe battles of the campaign, among which were Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, Chancellbrsville, and Gettysburg, and at the last named 
engagement was severely wounded. He was honorably mustered out at 
the close of the war, and then came to Lisbon, Linn County, Iowa. In 
October, 1870, he married Miss A. B. Armstrong, of Linn County. Mr. 
S. removed to Atchison County, Missouri, and engaged in farming, and 
in 1876 came to Nodaway County and began in his present business. 
His family consists of four daughters : Carrie M., Mina J., Emma F., 
and Jennie. 



746 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

J. H. CURNUTT, 

carpenter and builder, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, Sep- 
tember 14, 1847. His father, Calvin Curnutt, was a native of Maryland, 
and a farmer by occupation. J. H. spent his boyhood days on a farm, 
and received his education in the common schools. In 1863, he enlisted 
in Company G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, and was 
in the Army of the Tennessee, and participated in many of the hard 
fought battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was taken pris- 
oner at Montgomery. He remained in the service until the close of the 
war, and then returned to Indiana, where he worked at the carpenter's 
trade, having followed this business previous to his enlisting in the army. 
He remained in Indiana until 1875, when he came to Maryville, where he 
has since been identified with the building interests of the county. Mr. 
Curnutt was married in 1866, to Miss Lydia Newhard, of Indiana. They 
have six children : Iona, John, Daisy, Ella, Jennie, Annie. Lost one : 
Calaway. 

SOLOMON CAIN, 

dealer in real estate, Wilcox, was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and is a son of Charles L. and Sarah (Kennedy) Cain. The former is a 
native of North Carolina, and was born November 18, 18 18, he being a 
son of Jesse and Marion (Bogley) Cain. Their parents were natives of 
England. The parents of Charles L. married and settled in North Car- 
olina, and moved to Rush County, Indiana, in 1830, and to Platte County, 
Missouri, in 1842, settling in Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1851. They 
located some eight miles west of Maryville, having been pioneers of 
three different counties in two states. Charles L. passed his boyhood 
days in North Carolina, and Rush County, Indiana, and in the spring of 
1840, went to Platte County, Missouri. He returned the same fall, and 
in the spring following, again went to Platte County, Missouri. Febru- 
ary 16, 1843, he married Sarah Kennedy, a native of Guilford, North Car- 
olina, born October 18, 1823. She was a daughter of John and Charity 
McMickell, who were born in North Carolina. They moved to Rush 
County, Indiana, and to Platte County, Missouri, in 1845, an d to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Cain located in Platte 
County, Missouri, and afterwards moved to Nodaway County, where he 
purchased his present farm, some six miles west of Maryville. Solomon 
passed his youthful days, and received his education in Nodaway County. 
He began life as a farmer, and in 1878, entered the employ of the Cen- 
tral Branch of the Union Pacific Railway, remaining till May, 1879, when 
he returned to Nodaway County, and February 28, 1881, purchased of 
the Western Improvement Company, all unsold lots at Wilcox. Since 
that time he has devoted his time to the sale of lots. He married April 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 747 

21, 1878, Miss Clementine Brogan, a native of Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, born April 20, 1857. She is the daughter of Joel D. and Dortia 
(YVhitten) Cain. Her parents were natives of Tennessee, and after being 
married settled in Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon 
Cain have two children : Dorr, born January 20, 1879, ar >d Byron, born 
September 2, 1880. 

W. G. DARLEY, 

civil engineer and railroad contractor, is a native of England, and was 
born in London September 27, 1817. He was reared and educated in his 
native country, and in 1836 he immigrated to the United States and set- 
tled in New York, where he continued to reside for some years, engaged 
in civil engineering. In 1853 he was on the Cleveland and Mahoming 
Railroad, after which he was chief engineer of the New Castle and Beaver 
Valley. Besides other positions filled by Mr. D., of importance, he was 
chief engineer on the St. Louis, Saline and Little Rock Railroad, and 
remained until the completion of the road. He then was employed on 
the Clarinda Branch of the Wabash road. He has made his home in 
Maryville since 1878. He is the owner of a valuable stone quarry near 
Gallatin, which is unsurpassed as a building stone. Mr. Darley was mar- 
ried in 1841 to Miss M. E. Weeks, of New York. They have a family of 
four children. 

HENRY DAVIS, 

proprietor of the Maryville Woolen Mills, is a native of Trowbridge, 
England, and was born in 1843. .His father was a woolen manufacturer, 
and the son early in life commenced the same occupation, in which he 
became very proficient. In 1863 he immigrated to the United States, 
and settled in Malvern, Massachusetts, near the manufacturing town of 
Woonsocket, working in the leading factories of the place. He then 
spent two and a-half years in the employ of the Clinton Woolen Mills, 
Michigan, and returned to the East, where he remained two years, and 
upon coming West he entered the employ of the Hanover Woolen Mills, 
in Illinois ; and it is owing to his experience and skill that this manufac- 
tory was raised from a non-paying to a profitable investment, and the 
product the best reputation in the West. After spending four years in 
Hanover, he came to Maryville and became proprietor of the above 
named mills, and in which he is fast building up a reputation for the 
quality of his work that will give him a prominent place among the 
enterprising business men of the town. Mr. Davis was married in 1874, 
to Miss Mary A. Rhodes, daughter of Samuel Rhodes, of Yorkshire, Eng- 
land. They have four children : Edwin F., Florence E., Jesse and Alfred T. 



748 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

DR. J. W. DEAN, 

stock dealer, was born at Gosport, Owen County, Indiana, February 20, 
1842. His parents, John and Mary (Gardner) Dean, were both natives 
of Kentucky. J. W. was reared to manhood at his birth place, receiving 
his education at Ausbury University of Greencastle, Indiana. When 
eighteen he commenced the study of Medicine at Rush Medical College 
of Chicago, from which institution he graduated in January, 1863. Dr. 
Dean then became assistant surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Indiana, and 
went to Vicksburg. While there he was taken sick and returned home. 
In the fall of 1863 he commenced a course of lectures at Jefferson Medi- 
cal College and was graduated in March, 1864. He soon began prac- 
ticing at Gosport, Indiana, and continued therein until the 7th of Sep- 
tember, 1868, when he immigrated west and arrived in Maryville the 
9th of September of the same year, having to travel by stage from 
Savannah. He continued his practice until 1879 at this place, when he 
was again taken sick and was obliged to give up his calling. Since that 
time, Dr. Dean has given his attention to raising thoroughbred cattle. 
He has some twenty-five head at present, and owns 70 acres of land in 
the southeastern part of town, 10 acres of which lay inside the town 
limits. He also owns a fine farm of 320 acres southwest of Maryville, 
and a fine residence. The Dr. is a member of Nodaway Lodge No. 470,. 
A. F. and A. M. of Maryville, also of the Nodaway County Medical 
Society. He was married August 20, 1863, to Miss Nancy A. Dyer, 
daughter of Elijah C. Dyer, of Gosport, Indiana. She was born in that 
place September 28, 1845. They have five children : Charlie G., born 
April 27, 1867 ; Florence D., born June 18, 1868 ; Luella P., born Feb- 
ruary 20, 1872 ; Leslie E., born January 31, 1876; May E., born April 
7, 1878. Himself and wife are active members of the M. E. Church of 
Maryville. 

WILLIAM DENNY, 

fanner and stock raiser, section 24, was born in Orange County, Indiana, 
on the 29th of June, 1 83 1 , and is the son of John M. and Diadama B. 
Denny. The former, a cabinet maker and millwright by occupation, 
was a native of Shelby County, Kentucky, and the latter was a Virginian 
by birth. William received a common school education, and, while 
young, he learned the trade of his father. When eighteen years of age, he 
commenced business for himself in Lawrence County, Indiana, and, in 
1854, he moved to Warren County, Iowa, where he entered a piece of 
land. Soon after, having been burned out, he returned to Indiana, and 
in the spring of 1856, he came to Missouri, and has made this his home 
most of the time since. In 1861, he went back to Indiana, where, in 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 749 

and held the position of corporal for some time. He served until May 
23, 1865, having participated in the battles of Munfordsville, Kentucky, 
Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, was with Grant in his Vicksburg campaign, 
and then under General Banks in Louisiana. He was taken prisoner, 
and was soon after parolled, after which he took part in the battles of 
Forts Morgan, Gaines and Blakeley, Alabama. The whole regiment 
were taken prisoners at Munfordsville. Mr. Denny returned to this 
county again in 1867. He now owns 272 acres of land, well stocked, 
and one of the best residences in the vicinity. He now holds the posi- 
tion of school director. He was married October 23, 1853, to Margaret 
Storm, daughter of Peter Storm, of Indiana. They have had six chil- 
dren : James W., born June 2, 1855 ; Sarah A., born June 30, 1861, (now 
Mrs. J. Meek) ; John M., born May 2, 1866; Howard L., born March 7, 
1868 ; Iva M., born April 3, 1871, and Leliji M., born November 1, 1879. 
Mr. D. is a member of Pickering Lodge, No. 472, A. F. and A. M. He 
is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Methodist Church. 

JOHN S. DISS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born on a farm in Perry County, 
Ohio, December 26, 1841, being a son of Peter Diss, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and Catharine (Rose) Diss, both natives of France. He received a 
common school education, and made his home at his birthplace until six 
years of age, when, with his parents, he moved to Brown County, Illinois, 
in 1855. There he remained until May, 1869, when he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and is now the owner of 165 acres of well improved and 
stocked land, upon which is a young orchard. He has held the office 
of constable, and has been school director most of the time since old 
enough. He is independent in politics, and a member of the Catholic 
Church. Mr. Diss was married November 14, 1865, to Miss Catharine 
Shonen, daughter of Peter Shonen, a native of Germany. They have 
seven children : Charles E., born September 3, 1866 ; William J., born 
January 18, 1869; Frank J., born June 11, 1871 ; Mary, born December 1, 
1872 ; Frederick, born April 5, 1874 ; Lizzie, born August 25, 1875, and 
Lewis, born August 2, 1879. 

CAPTAIN SYLVESTER V. DOOLEY, 

retired merchant, was born in Ireland. He was there educated, and 
when about fourteen years of age, he came to America, landed in New 
York, and located in Rome, New York, where he resided two or three 
years, and there learned the carpenter's trade. He then went to Chicago 
and was engaged at his trade for some five years, when he located in 
Peoria, Illinois. There he continued his occupation till 1861, when he 



750 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

raised a company for the Union army, but the quota was filled before 
they were called into service. In August, 1862, Mr. D. raised the second 
company, Company C, One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Infantry, of 
which he served as Captain till the close of the war, having participated 
in many important battles, among which were Vicksburg, Champion's 
Hill, Arkansas Post, and many others. After peace was declared, he 
returned to Peoria, and resumed work at his trade, which he followed 
till 1868, when he moved to Livingston County, Illinois, and located on 
.1 farm. He was there engaged in farming till 1870, when he sold his 
property and came to Maryville. Here he began in the grocery busi- 
ness, and in this industry he was occupied more or less till January, 1882. 
Captain Dooley. was married February 7, 1862, to Miss Hannah Wash- 
ington, a native of Henry County, Illinois. They have three children : 
Richard M., Sylvester and Mary E. Mr. D. and family are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

JOHN DOWELL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born in Knox County, Ohio, 
November 12, 1818. His father, Elijah Dowell, was a native of Virginia, 
and by occupation a farmer. The maiden name of his mother was Miss 
Mary Dunn. She was born in Virginia, but principally raised in Mus- 
kingum County, Ohio. John's birthplace being on the line between 
Knox and Licking Counties, he was reared in both counties. He 
received the benefits of a common school education, and when sixteen 
years of age he commenced to learn the carpenters' trade, which he fol- 
lowed exclusively until 1878, after having devoted forty-seven years to 
this occupation. He remained in the vicinity of his birth until 18;^. 
when he moved to Wayne County, Iowa, and remained there some ten 
years. Thence to Fulton County, Illinois, and after fifteen years resi- 
dence there, he came to Maryville, Missouri, in the spring of 188 1. He 
remained two months in town, then purchased his present farm and 
settled thereon on the 5th of July, 1881. He owns 120 acres of land, 
and has a good residence with a view of the City of Maryville some 
four miles distant. His orchard contains about 130 trees. During the 
war he was a strong Union man. He volunteered in Company D, 
Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, in [862, and went into the barracks and 
remained some two months. His health failing, he was discharged and 
returned home. Politically he is a Democrat. He has filled the posi- 
tion of justice of the peace a\\A other small offices. Mr. Dowell was 
married September 23, 1841, to Miss Mary J. Perkins, a daughter of 
William Perkins, of Ohio. She was born in Knox County, Ohio, on the 
1 oth of December, [826. They have five children living: William W., 
bom December 27, 1846; Clarinda M., born April 14, 1851, (now Mrs. 
Henry Lechleiter); Martha L.. born October 2(\ 1859; Thomas E., bom 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 75 r 

iber 22, [864 ; John W., born March 10, 1869. Mr. D., his wife, and 
youngest daughter are members of the M. E. Church. 

GEORGE L. DRENNAN 

is a native of Illinois, and was born in Sangamon County, November 27, 
1843. His education was attained in the Lutheran University of Spring 1 - 
field. He was reared on a farm and made agricultural pursuits his voca- 
tion while in his native county. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, One 
Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, and remained in service till 
the close of the war, when he returned to Sangamon County. In 1871 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri,, and located on a farm in Green 
township, where he resided one year, and then moved to Maryville and 
embarked in the lumber business, which enterprise he continued till 1877. 
From that date till the beginning of the present year he has been 
in the stock business. He has just completed a fine residence at the 
head of Main Street, being in the most conspicuous locality in the city of 
Maryville, and which adds much to the appearance of the north portion 
of the town. He has served the city efficiently as a member of the coun- 
cil. He is a member of Maryville Lodge, Xo. [65, A. F. and A. M., also 
Nodaway Chapter U. D., R. A. M. Mr. Drennan has been twice mar- 
ried : First, January 1 1, 1 870, to Miss E. Ridge way, a daughter of Samuel 
L. and Charlotte (Stout) Ridgeway, who were both natives of Kentucky. 
Mrs. Drennan died November 24, 1871, leaving'one son, Franklin. Miss 
M;iry Walker became his second wife October 16, 1876. She is a daugh- 
ter of Jesse H. and Eliza Walker, who were both natives of Ohio. Mrs. 
D. was born in Ross County, Ohio. They have two children : Ralph 

and an infant. 

S. M. DUNN, M. D., 

was born in Jasper County, Indiana, July 30, 1830, and is the son of 
Samuel M. Dunn, a physician of considerable prominence. His mother's 
maiden name was Nancy Walker. His parents moved to Iroquois 
County, Illinois, while he was young, and spent his early days on a farm. 
He commenced reading medicine early in life, with his father as pre- 
ceptor. In 1852, he removed to Polk County, Iowa, and settled in Car- 
lisle. The following year he changed to Decatur County, Iowa, and 
while living here was elected clerk of the circuit court, holding the office- 
four years. He attended medical lectures at the Rush Medical College, 
and was graduated in 1862. In 1863, Dr. Dunn came to Maryville, Mis- 
souri, where he has since been engaged in active practice. He is a 
member of the faculty of the North Western Medical College, in St. 
Joseph. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Nancy J- Harah, of Iowa. 
They have a family of four children : Arthur C, Nanme A., Cora B. and 
Joseph M. 



75 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

B. A. DUNN, 

editor of the Maryville Republican, the leading exponent in Nodaway 
County of the principles and interests of the political party whose name 
is embodied in its title, was born in Hillsboro County, Michigan, August 
4, 1842. His father, Archibald Dunn, was a farmer by occupation. His 
mother's maiden name was Sallie A. Monroe. She was a native of the 
State of New York. At the age of six years, B. A. moved with his 
parents to Cass County, where he received his primary education in the 
•common schools of the same. He served in the army during the civil 
war, having enlisted in Company C, Ninth Indiana Infantry, joining his 
regiment at Shiloh, and participating in all the engagements in which 
his regiment served, including sixteen pitched battles and sieges, besides 
-skirmishes without number. At the battle of Chickamauga he was 
wounded by a spent ball, and again at Nashville, in which action he was 
•crippled for life. At the close of the war he engaged in teaching, and 
subsequently took a full course of study in Hillsdale College, from which 
he was graduated in the class of 1870. August, 187 1, he moved to Nod- 
.away County, Missouri, and settling in Maryville for the period of four 
years, filled the position of superintendent of public schools of that city. 
In 1875 he concluded to retire from the profession of teaching, and con- 
nected himself with the Republican, of which ably conducted and influ- 
ential journal he is now editor-in-chief. January 25, 1873, he married 
Miss Ida Saunders, daughter of James H. Saunders, a prominent mer- 
chant of Maryville. They have three children : Roland, Roy and Baby. 

WILLIAM DUNCAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, is the sen of James and Annie 
.(Jobson) Duncan, both natives of England, and was born on the 8th of 
June, 1841, in Workworth, Northumberland County, England. His 
father being a Presbyterian minister, William received excellent educa- 
tional advantages. He immigrated to the United States in the spring 
■of 1853, landing at Portland, Maine, and soon went to Montreal, and 
from there to Canada West. He resided some sixty miles north of Port 
Huron, until the spring of 1872, when he came to Missouri, and located 
in Nodaway County. At the age of twenty-four years, he commenced 
in life for himself, by first teaching. This he continued for six years, 
and, after coming here, was engaged in the same profession during the 
winter, and farming during the summer months. After obtaining con- 
siderable stock and partially improving his land, he gave his whole 
attention to agricultural pursuits, and, as a reward of his industry and 
•ecomomy, he now owns 160 acres of improved laud, not surpassed in 
the township for stock purposes. There is a good orchard on the place. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 753 

He takes an active interest in education, and has been school director 
several terms. He was formerly a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, 
and also of the Sons of Temperance. Mr. Duncan was married in 
December, 1866, to Miss Jane Wells, daughter of Thomas Wells, a resi- 
dent of Canada. They have five children : Harry, born November 1, 
1867; Arthur, born September 30, 1869; Annie, born June 6, 1872; 
Dora, born August 12, 1874, and Charlie, born September 22, 1875. Mr. 
D. is a strong Republican in politics, and is a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, of Maryville. 

HENRY ECKERT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born on the 19th of March, 1836, 
near Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and is the son of John 
and Elizabeth (Kenor) Eckert, both natives of York County, Pennsylva- 
nia. Henry spent his youth at his birthplace, on a farm, attending the 
common schools to some extent. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted in 
Company A, Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, and served for three years, 
participating in the battles of Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, 
the second battle of Bull Run, and many other engagements. He was 
mustered out at Chicago, after which he returned home, and soon moved 
west, locating in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he resided five years. 
He then moved to Marshall County, Iowa, and after living there one 
year went to Kansas, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring 
of 1871. He now owns 210 acres of improved land, well stocked, and 
with a young orchard. Mr. Eckert is Republican in politics. He was 
married January 1, 1873, to Miss Madora Conrad, daughter of Cassimere 
Conrad, of this county. They have one child, Charley, born January 
20, 1878. 

JAMES I. EDDY 

is of the firm of Eddy & Smith, grain dealers. The principal office is at 
Maryville, while their branch offices are at Mineola, Lawrence, and Sol- 
omon, Iowa. At Silver City, Iowa, the firm is F. Smith & Co.; at Imo- 
gene, Iowa, Smith, Richardson & Co.; Shenandoah, Iowa, Eddy & 
Smith ; at Bedford, Iowa, Smith & Williams. James I. Eddy was born 
in Lansingburg, New York, December 5, 1842. His father was a native 
of New York State. His mother's maiden name was Catherine Ryn- 
ders, and she was also born in New York State. James was reared to 
manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days in the city and 
receiving good educational advantages. He completed his education 
at Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Troy, New York, and fitted 
himself for a mercantile life. In 1864 he started out in business for 
himself, and engaged in the manufacture of lamp black at his native vil- 



754 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

lage in partnership with his brother. They still carry on the manufac- 
tory at that place under the name of James I. Eddy & Bro. Mr. E. 
emigrated west in June, 1873, and settled at Maryville, where he opened 
a real estate and loan office in partnership with Mr. Fayette Smith. 
They continued to do a large and extensive business until 1879, when 
they engaged in the grain trade, and now ship about one million bushels 
per year. They have six elevators, one each at Blanchard, Brigham, 
Shenandoah, Imogene, Solomon, and Silver City. They also own a 
large dairy farm adjoining the city limits on the east consisting of some 
600 acres, on which is kept 100 milch cows. These supply the city with 
milk. Their farm is the largest and finest in Northwest Missouri. Mr. 
Eddy was married in 1867 to Miss Carrie A. M. Kelsey, a native of the 
same place as her husband, and an old school mate. In May, 1878, she 
died. Mr. E. is an active member of the M. E. Church of Maryville. 
He is a public spirited and enterprising citizen, and helps every good 
cause by his support. 

A. T. ELLIS, 

of the firm of Ellis & Prather, one of the leading business men of Nod- 
away County, was born in Kentucky August 21, 1843. His father, Lean- 
der T. Ellis, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother's maiden 
name was Harriet Hunter. She was born in Virginia. In the fall of 
1843 the family removed to the Platte Purchase and made their home for 
some years in Buchanan County. There the father of the subject of this 
memoir, served as sheriff of the county, and one term as assessor. They 
moved from Buchanan County to Andrew County, and after a residence 
of two years came to Nodaway County, in 1855. A. T. spent his early 
days on a farm and in attending school. In 1862 he commenced his 
mercantile experience in selling drugs, and has been in the business con- 
tinuously in this line more years than any man in the county. The trade 
of the firm is large, extending beyond the limit of their acquaintance, 
and the favorable treatment of their patrons has given them an enviable 
reputation. No firm has been more closely identified with the interest 
of the county, or contributed more to the good name of the city of Mary- 
ville. Mr. Ellis was married December 22, 1865, to Miss Amanda Allen, 
a native of Iowa. Their family consists of three children : Mary, Cora 
B. and Albert T. They have lost three. He is a member of the Masonic 
order and belongs to Maryville Lodge, No. 165. 

W. C. ELLISON, 

of the firm of Beech & Ellison, attorneys, is one of the rising members 
of the Nodaway County bar. He is a native of Missouri, and was born 
in Lewis County, October 1, 1853, and is the son of the Hon. James Elli- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 755 

son, a prominent lawyer and for years Judge of the Twenty-seventh 
Judicial Circuit. His mother's maiden name was Martha Cowgill. She 
was born in Kentucky. His father was a native of Ohio, but principally 
reared in Kentucky. The youth of W. C. Ellison was spent in attending 
school, and upon making choice of the practice of law as a profession he 
commenced reading under the direction of his father. After a most 
thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar in 1873. He soon 
removed to East St. Louis, where he remained until 1880, then coming 
to Nodaway County, where he formed an association with S. R. Beech. 
Mr. Ellison married Miss Laura Lucas, a daughter of Dr. J. R. Lucas, of 
Kentucky, in October, 1880. They have one son: George Robb. 

J. V. EMBREE, 

farmer and school teacher, section 25, was born in McConnelsville, 
Morgan County, Ohio, February 5, 1838, and is the son of Israel and 
and Mary A. (Vernon) Embree. The former, a farmer by occupation, 
was a native of Maryland, and the latter of Belmont County, Ohio. ]. 
V. passed his youth in his native county, on a farm, and received good 
educational advantages at Albany and Oakdale. He also learned the 
carpenter trade, which he followed to some extent. He spent three 
years in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and, about the year 1861, 
he commenced teaching. In the spring of 1872, he came to Missouri, 
locating in this county, and is now the owner of ninety acres of land, 
well stocked and improved, besides a house and lot in Maryville. An 
experience of twenty years as an instructor, has given him a reputation 
enjoyed by but few. Mr. Embree was married September 26, 1866, to 
Keziah R. Newlon, daughter of B. R. Newlon, of Pennsylvania. They 
have five children: Francis N., born July 20, 1867 ; Jane G., born Octo- 
ber 9, 1869; Mary H., born May 21, 1873; Edith G., born October 10, 
1875, and Brintnall R., born January 21, 1878. Mr. E. is Republican in 
politics and a member of the M. E. Church. 

J. F. FARMER. 

proprietor of the only exclusive boot and shoe house of Maryville. is a 
native of Virginia, and when four years of age, was brought by his 
parents to Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, where J. F. was reared to 
manhood, receiving the benefits of a good English education. His 
father was a banker, and the son assisted his father in the bank for a 
time, and afterwards commenced his mercantile experience. In i88r, 
he came to Maryville, and embarked in his present business. His stock 
is large and well assorted, representing the leading standard manufag^ 
tures, and he already is doing a large and satisfactory business, 



75^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 

RUFORD FARRIS, 

a representative citizen of Nodaway County, is one of the prominent 
thoroughbred stock raisers of Northwest Missouri. He was born in 
Washington County, Kentucky, March ir, 1832. His father was Isaiah 
Farris, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth McDowell, both 
natives of Kentucky. His father's occupation was that of a stock dealer, 
and the son early formed a taste for the business, and has pursued it as 
an occupation. His experiment in his native state became an assured 
fact, and in selecting a wider field for his exertions in this direction he 
selected Nodaway County, Missouri, and in 1874 made this county his 
home, and there is no one industry that has done more to give a reputa- 
tion to the county, and in making it so prominent, East and West, than 
the interest taken in its fine stock, and to those who have had the taste 
and enterprise in prosecuting this business is deserving the gratitude of 
all who are benefitted by the county's growth and prosperity. His herd 
embraces sixty head, representing strains of the best families, at the 
head of which are " Rose of Sharon," " Young Mary," "Louan," "Ruby's 
Arabellas," "Josephines," and others, all Rates stock, rich in Dutchess 
blood, and all eligible to the highest record in standard herd books. Mr. 
Farris was married June 16, 1864, to Miss Mary Williams, of Howard 
County, Kentucky. Their family consists of three children : James T. 
Ruford I. and John C. 

DR. R G. FORD 

was born July 8, 1824, in Pulaski County, Kentucky, near a town named 
Somerset. His father at one time was wealthy, being one of the leading 
citizens of his neighborhood. Rourne spent his boyhood days on his 
father's farm, and received that vigor of physical life and purity of mind 
incident to country life. He obtained as good an education as could be 
acquired in the neighboring schools at that time, and afterward studied 
medicine with Dr. William Stone, a celebrated physician of Somerset, 
who subsequently went to California, and continued the practice of med- 
icine there. After finishing his studies Dr. Ford began the practice of 
medicine in his own neighborhood, and continued it for several years. 
In the spring of 1850 he went across the plains to California, where he 
remained eight months. During all that time he suffered much from 
inflammatory rheumatism, and was disabled thereby from engaging in 
any active pursuits. He then returned to Kentucky, and resumed the 
practice of medicine in his old field. In 1853 he came to Nodaway 
County, and settled in Maryville, where he entered into the practice of 
medicine. In 1856 he moved to the present site of Barnard, and bought 
a mill, which he superintended for about two years. He then moved 
back to Maryville, and continued the practice of medicine until i860, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 757- 

when he was elected County Clerk of Nodaway County. He held this 
office about seven years, but voluntarily resigned it during the war, Mr, 
Joseph Jackson becoming his successor. By his own exertions and by 
judicious investments in real estate, Dr. Ford acquired considerable 
property. After resigning the office of county clerk he engaged in an 
active business life, manufacturing brick and erecting many buildings in 
Maryville, in connection with some practice of his profession. In 1875. 
he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1877, an d held the 
office until the time of his death, which occurred September 1, 1878. At 
the time of the doctor's demise, all the Maryville papers contained fitting 
tributes to his personal worth and character. From many such notices 
we quote the following from the Maryville Democrat of that date : "It 
can truthfully be said that B. G. Ford was a man respected by all who 
knew him. Honest himself, he believed all others to be so, and hence 
could be easily imposed upon. He had large benevolence, and any 
object of charity, if in his opinion worthy, could command the last cent 
in his pocket. His was a tender, generous heart, always open and sus- 
ceptible to appeals for sympathy. * * * * He possessed many 
noble traits which will be cherished in the hearts of those with whom 
he was most intimately related in this life. He was a good man, one 
respected and honored by all who knew him. Such was Bourne G. Ford." 
July 30, 1854, Dr. Ford married Miss Lucinda Lemmons, of Maryville, 
who still resides there. As the result of this union there have been born 
nine children, whose names according to their ages are as follows : 
Medora, Eliza, Katie, Elizabeth, Ionia, Charlie, Otta, Mattie and Helen. 

JAMES S. FRANK, 

of the firm of J. S. & M. C. Frank, dealers in real estate and negotiators 
of loans, is a native of Owen County, Kentucky, and was born Novem- 
ber 7, 1830. He was reared with a mercantile experience and followed 
it for many years. Removing from his birthplace to Carroll County 
when young, he continued to reside there until his removal to Nodaway 
County in 1881. He was married in 1852 to Miss Eva P. Craig. By this, 
union there are seven children : Milton C, associated with his father in 
business ; John E. and Joshua C, living in DeKalb County, Missouri ; 
Eva, James D., Inda C, and Laura. Milton C. Frank was born in Car- 
roll County, Kentucky, December 8, 1852, and was educated at Wash- 
ington and Lee University. He studied law and was graduated from 
the law department of the Kentucky University in January, 1874. In 
March, of the same year, he came to Nodaway County, and settled first 
at Graham. After a residence there of eighteen months he located in 
Maryville. He was married December 7, 1875, to Miss A. Kavanaugh, 
who was born and reared in Nodaway County. They have three chil- 
dren : Eva, Archer, and James S. 



75 8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN P. FRAZEE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born on a farm, in Richland 
County, Ohio, April 16, 1832, and was the son of Joshua and Anna 
(Pitman) Frazee, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of 
Ohio. When eight years of age, John accompanied his parents to 
Andrew County, Missouri, where he was reared, receiving a common 
school education. He there passed through many hardships, incident 
to pioneer life, and, in 1840, his father went to Liberty, Clay County, 
Missouri, for corn for bread, being obliged to pay one dollar per bushel 
for it. The family, in the meantime, were out of bread, and had to live 
on buttermilk for two days. In the spring of 1853, he came to Noda- 
way County, and, in 1855, he entered a portion of land where he now 
resides. On this he settled when the county was sparsely populated, 
and was among the pioneers here. He now owns 320 acres of land, and 
makes stock raising his principal business, having excellent facilities for 
that occupation — feed lot, running water, etc. He has an orchard of 
400 apple trees, and small fruit, peach trees, grapes, etc. Mr. Frazee 
served in the Home Guards during the war. He was married December 
22, 1870, to Miss Celia Shanks, daughter of William Shanks, of this 
county. She was born December 6, 1846. They have four children : 
Rosella M., born May 1, 1872 ; Lawrence H., born February 21, 1875 ; 
Chester J., born May 19, 1878, and Alpha W., born February 1, 1881. 
Mr. F. has held the position of road overseer. He is a Greenbacker in 
his political preferences, and a member of the Christian Church. 

REV. ALFRED C. GANN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Union County, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 14th of April, 1837. His father, Christian Gann, was a 
native of Pennsylvania, and by occupation a shoemaker. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Annie E. Cummings, was born in Pennsylva- 
nia. Alfred was raised at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on 
the farm and receiving his education at Lewistown Academy and at 
Williamsport. He then turned his attention to teaching, and taught for 
some fifteen terms. About this time he traveled from one place to 
another as a Methodist preacher, and served for two years in the Balti- 
more Conference. In 1865 he went to Bellevue, Ohio, thence to Flat 
Rock, same state, where for two years he taught the high school at that 
place. On the 8th of March, 1866, he married Miss Hannah M. Close, a 
daughter of Daniel Close, of Bellevue, Ohio. They immigrated west 
in the fall of 1868 and settled in Andrew County, Missouri, about six 
miles north of Savannah, remaining until 1879. He was one of the most 
active workers while he resided there, and assisted in organizing a church 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 759 

and erecting a $2,000 building on a part of his farm. Mr. Gann located 
on his present farm in Nodaway County on the 14th of February, 1879. 
He owns 360 acres of improved land, has a fine residence situated a short 
distance south of the city of Maryville, and also a good wind-mill and 
creamery, fine orchard, etc. His farm is well stocked with graded stock. 
When nine years of age his mother died, and he went on the bench 
with his father to learn the shoemaker's trade at the age of ten. He 
followed that business until seventeen, working at odd times. He is a 
self-made man, and has worked his own way up through life. He is at 
present largely interested in buying and selling stock. Mr. G. still 
holds the position of local preacher in the M. E. Church, and preaches 
twice a month, gratuitously. Mr. and Mrs. Gann have had two children : 
Byron L. C, born June 6, 1867, and Christian Le Grand, born October 1, 
1870. They are active christian workers, and hold their membership in 
the church at Maryville. 

W. T. GARRETT, 

was born in Jackson County, Indiana, April 18, 1840. His father, 
David Garrett, was a native of Kentucky, while his mother, formerly 
Miss Elizabeth Sparks, was a native of Indiana. Mr. T. was reared to 
manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on the farm and 
receiving the benefits of a common school education. When nineteen 
he commenced to learn the tinners' trade, and served a two-years 
apprenticeship. On the 20th of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
F, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, and took part in twenty-nine battles, among 
which were Green Run, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Prairieville, Stone 
River, the Atlanta Campaign, and many others. He was discharged 
on the 30th of October, 1864. He afterward went as a volunteer under 
General Kilpatrick on his raid. He was wounded in the head at the 
battle of Stone River. At the close of the war Mr. G. turned his atten- 
tion to farming and stock raising in his native county. He started west 
on the 28th of February, 1868, and landed at Maryville March 1st, of 
that year. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising, and since 
that time has improved six farms, purchasing uncultivated land, improv- 
ing and selling it. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres adjacent to the 
city of Maryville, part of which lays inside the fair grounds. He also 
has fifteen acres inside the town limits. He has a good residence in the 
southeast part of town, and is quite largely interested in the raising of 
Poland China and Berkshire hogs. On the 7th of December, 1881, Mr. 
Garrett became associated with Messrs. Airy & Son in the grocery busi- 
ness. They have a large and complete stock and do a flourishing busi- 
ness. He is a member of Maryville Lodge, No. 165, A. F. & A. M. 
Politically he is a Republican. He has been twice married ; first, on 



760 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

the 18th of April, 1864, to Miss Sarah J. Stafford, a native of Jackson 
County, Indiana. She died in April, 1873, and left two children : Charles, 
born June 24, 1865, and Oliver, born July 8, 1867 ; two are deceased. 
He married again September 5, 1873, to Mrs. Josephine Forbes, a 
native of Jackson County, Indiana. She has one child by her former 
husband, Elizabeth E. Forbes, born in July, 1861, (now Mrs. C. H. Airy, 
of Maryville.) By his second wife Mr. G. has four children : Berdella, 
born in April, 1875 ; Lula, born in April, 1876 ; Jennie, born in March, 
1878, and Frank L., born in April, 1880. Mrs. G. is a member of the M. 
E. Church of Maryville. 

JAMES B. GATES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 
on the 19th of May, 185 1, and is a son of S. G. and Eva (Fitzgerald) 
Gates, the former a farmer by occupation, and a native of New York, 
and the latter of Pennsylvania. When three years of age James was 
taken to Muscatine County, Iowa, by his parents, they locating about 
ten miles west of Muscatine. There he was principally reared as a 
farmer boy. At the age of twenty-one, he commenced on his own 
account, and moved on a rented farm. In 1874, he came to Missouri, 
and on the 26th of April of that year, he located in Nodaway County, 
where he now owns a farm of eighty acres, well watered and stocked, 
upon which is a young orchard of 225 trees, and an excellent barn. He 
has earned his own way through life, and is worthy of his success. 
March 31, 1874, Mr. Gates was married to Miss Minnie C. Moore, daugh- 
ter of John Moore, a native of Jones County, Iowa. They have two 
children : Laura A., born September 23, 1876, and Lilly M., born Novem- 
ber 18, 1880. Mr. G. is a Republican. He has taken great interest in 
educational matters, and is a well informed man. 

LEMUEL E. GAULT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 21, was born on a farm in Blount County, 
East Tennessee, on the 29th day of November, 1840, and is the son of 
John and Mary (Logan) Gault, both natives of that county. Lemuel was 
brought up on a farm at his birthplace, and received a common school 
education. When twenty-six years of age, he left his home and started 
west, locating in Andrew County, in the fall of 1866, from whence, after 
a short stay, he came to this county in the spring of 1868, and settled 
where he now resides. The land was wild prairie, and he was among 
the first to make his home on the prairie. He at present owns 160 acres 
of land, improved and stocked, upon which is an orchard of 140 trees, 
and a maple grove two and a-half acres in extent. Mr. Gault was mar- 
ried November 5, 1873, to Miss Mary J. Roberts, daughter of Andrew 



POLK TOWNSHIP. j6l 

Roberts, a native of Virginia. They have four children : Maudie, born 
August 4, 1874; Lawrence, born November 19, 1875 ; Monte Verdie, 
born December 12, 1877, and lea E., born January 15, 1879. Mr. Gault 
has held the office of school director. Politically, he is a Republican. 
He was brought up religiously in the Presbyterian faith. 

T. W. GAUNT, 

nurseryman, was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 4th of April, 
1830. His father, Thomas Gaunt, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Catherine Wooley, were also both natives of England. The former 
kept a fruit and flower garden. T. W. was reared to manhood in his 
native country, and received the benefits of a good business education. 
He started for America on the 3d of August, 1853, and landed in New 
York City on the 1 2th of September of the same year, and remained with 
some friends in the city that winter. In the spring of 1845, he immigrated 
west to McDonough County, Illinois, where he was engaged with Smith 
& Franklin, nurserymen, remaining there some twelve months. They 
then desired to start a nursery in Andrew County, Missouri. Mr. G. 
came west to take charge of it, arriving in April, 1855. He came from 
there to Nodaway County in 1857, and started a nursery at Maryville. 
He now has one of the finest nurseries in Northwestern Missouri. He 
owns over seventy-two acres of land adjoining the town plat of Mary- 
ville ; has a handsome brick residence, and keeps a large and well 
selected assortment of the best varieties of trees, to which he is con- 
stantly adding. Since becoming a resident of this county he has taken 
a leading part in its building and improving. During the war he served 
in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and held the position of captain of 
Company G, Thirty-sixth Regiment Missouri Militia. He is a member 
of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of Maryville. In his polit- 
ical views he is a staunch Republican. He is a strong temperance 
advocate, and every good cause receives his support. His capital in 
commencing life was an excellent constitution and willing hands. He 
early determined to leave the mother country, and laid his plans to run 
away when eleven years old, but did not leave home for America until 
twenty-three years old. Mr. Gaunt was married January 20, 1861, to 
Miss Mary Ann Castillo, daughter of Michael Castillo, a native of Ken- 
tucky. They have four children : Josephine, born October 28, 1861 ; 
Martha J., born December 12, 1863 ; Carrie, born July 8, 1865 ; and 
Rubie, born May 26, 1867. 

H. H. GEIGER, 

postmaster, Maryville. There are few persons in Nodaway County who 
as men are more highly esteeemd by all who know him, than H. H. 



762 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Geiger. He is a native of Rockville, Parke County, Indiana, and was 
born April 9, 1840. His father, Martin, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and settled in Southern Indiana at an early day. He was a blacksmith by 
trade. The Geigers are of German extraction. The subject of this 
sketch was reared and educated in his native state, there residing until 
1862, when he tendered his services to the Union cause, enlisting in 
Company A, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He passed 
through the usual routine of warfare for a number of months, when he 
was honorably discharged, on account of sickness. In 1865, he came to 
Missouri, sojourning temporarily in Jackson County, and took up his 
abode in Maryville, in the spring of 1866, here engaging in the saw 
mill business. In 1870, he was elected county treasurer, serving in this 
important office two years, after which, for a year and a half, he was 
occupied in the stock trade. In 1873, he was appointed postmaster. 
Mr. Geiger was married, in 1871, to Miss M. S. Davis, of Nodaway 
County. By this union they have had two children, Bessie and an 
infant. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. 

JOSEPH GERHART, 

farmer and sheep raiser, section 21, was born on the river Main, Bavaria, 
Germany, on the 30th of May, 1830, and is the son of George and Mar- 
garet (Breckner) Gerhart, both natives of Germany. The former was a 
blacksmith and farmer by occupation. Joseph received a common school 
education, spending his youthful days in his birthplace. When fourteen 
years of age, he commenced to learn the cooper trade, which he followed 
for about sixteen years. In 1847, he crossed the ocean, was fifty-two 
days on the voyage, and at the end of that time he landed at Quebec, 
Canada. He soon went to Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, remained 
there two years, and then located in Fairfield County, where during the 
summer seasons he farmed, and worked at his trade in the winter months. 
There he remained until the spring of 1870, when he came to Missouri, 
and located in Nodaway County, on the place where he now resides, four 
miles west of Maryvilie. At that time there was but one farm between 
his place and the town. He now owns 170 acres of land, well improved 
and watered. He raises considerable stock, and is greatly interested in 
the raising of sheep. Upon the farm is a good, bearing orchard. Mr. 
Gerhart has filled the various township offices. During the war, with 
others, he was after John Morgan, on his raid through Ohio. He was 
married January 1, 1852, to Mary M. Coney, daughter of Frederick Coney, 
a native of Germany. They have eight children : John, born in Novem- 
ber, 1854; George H., born February 8, 1856; William, born September 
2, 1858; Mary E., born March 29, 1861 ; Sarah, born December 29, 1862, 
(now Mrs. William Hardesty); Margaret, born July 24, 1865, (now Mrs. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 763 

James Edgar); Lucy, born February 2, 1868, and Frederick, born Sep- 
tember 6, 1877. One is deceased. Mr. G. is a Greenbacker in politics. 
He belongs to the Catholic Church of Maryville. 

DR. J. T. GLAZE, 

physician and surgeon, Wilcox. This gentleman is a native of Wash- 
ington County, Iowa, and born July 14, 1855, being a son of James and 
Melvina (Copeland) Glaze. The former is a native of Ripley County, Ind., 
born in 1828, and the mother is a native of the same county, born in 
1830. After they were married they settled in Louisa County, Iowa, 
and moved to Washington County in 1854, locating on a farm, which 
they improved, being among the early settlers of that county. Here 
Mrs. Glaze died in 1857. J. T. spent his boyhood days and received his 
•common schooling in Washington County. In 1874, he entered Howe's 
Academy at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he remained till 1876, when 
he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Burlington, Iowa. 
In the fall of the same year he began the study of medicine under Dr. 
C. Brown, a graduate of Keokuk Medical College, and Dr. J. Hull, of 
Bellevue Hospital, New York. He attended lectures in the winters of 
1879-80 at Iowa State Medical College at Iowa City, Iowa, and in the 
spring of 1880 attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and returning to Ely, Iowa, he practiced till the fall of the 
same year, when he again went to the Iowa State Medical College, from 
which he graduated March 4, 1881. He then located at Wilcox, on the 
Wabash Railway, in Nodaway County, Missouri. Dr. Glaze entered into 
partnership with G. H. Booth and opened a fine stock of drugs. He 
married November 27, 1877, Miss Mary J. Harding, a native of Mus- 
kingum County, Ohio, born in 1853. Mrs. G. is the daughter of Thomas 
and Elvira (Seers) Harding. Dr. and Mrs. G. are both members of the 
M. E. Church. The Dr. was appointed postmaster of Wilcox January 
5, 1882. 

COLONEL AMOS GRAHAM. 

No history of Nodaway County would be complete without a short 
sketch of the life of Colonel Amos Graham. He was born in Washing- 
ton County, Kentucky, on the 14th of March, 1816. In his boyhood days 
he taught school and went to school, thus gaining a fair common school 
education in the English branches. In the year 1836 he went to Han- 
cock County, Illinois, and resided there for some time, engaged in teach- 
ing school, after which he returned to his native state and county. At 
the age of twenty-three or twenty-four years he was a candidate for rep- 
resentative, and was only defeated by an old and experienced politician 
by some fifteen or twenty votes. After his defeat he came west, having 



764 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

in the meantime been united in marriage with Mary J. House, in Janu- 
ary, 1842. Upon his arrival in the state of Missouri he located in 
Savannah, Andrew County, April 17, 1842. There he began again to 
teach, being wholly without means. He received the appointment of 
deputy clerk under Edwin Toole. In the year 1845, upon the organiza- 
tion of Nodaway County, he received the appointment of clerk of the 
circuit and county courts, and ex-offkio recorder. We also believe he 
was the first postmaster of Maryville. He continued to be elected 
to the office of clerk until the year 1858, when the office of county and 
circuit clerk were separated, and James B. Braton was elected circuit, and 
B. G. Ford county clerk. Mr. Graham was a man in every sense 
qualified for the positions he occupied, and discharged his duties 
to the satisfaction of the people, as is shown by his continual re-election. 
Mrs. Mary J. Graham, his wife, was the first white female that resided on 
the present site of Maryville. The Colonel was well fitted for western 
life, and had the power of adapting himself to all grades of society and 
making himself at home to all. In the year i860 he ran for representa- 
tives on the Breckenridge ticket, against Dr. P. H. Talbott, on the Doug- 
las ticket, and was elected by a handsome majority, although the Doug- 
las ticket carried the county. By his skillfulness as a politician he suc- 
ceeded in securing the Lincoln vote of the county. He was a member of 
the Missouri Legislature of i860 61, and took a leading part in the pro- 
ceedings of that stormy session, as the records and votes of that General 
Assembly will show. After his return home he ceased to take any active 
part in politics, his sympathies being with the South, and the county on 
the side of the Union. Colonel Graham had a kind heart, and was full 
of kind words for everyone, and from the organization of the county 
until his death was esteemed for his many good traits of character, and 
in Maryville no social party was considered complete without his pres- 
ence. He was a leader, and the life of all such gatherings, and his home 
was open to all. Of the marriage of himself and wife but one child, 
Charles C. Graham, blessed them. Colonel Graham practiced law dur- 
ing the war. In the year 1865 he was stricken down with typhoid fever, 
and after lingering some two weeks he passed beyond the vail. His 
widow still lives in the town of Maryville. To write in detail the history 
of Colonel Graham's life, from the year 1845 to 1858, would be simply to 
write a history of Nodaway County for that period, so intimately was 
his public life connected with every act and movement of the people. 

R. O. GRAVES, 

capitalist, is a son of James and Ruth (Sherrel) Graves, who were both 
natives of Kentucky. R. O. was born in Washington County, Decem- 
ber 2, 1830. He was reared and educated in his native countv, and in 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 765 

the year 185 1, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, making this his 
home till 1865. From that date till 1871 he was in Holt and Saline 
Counties, and at the expiration of that time he located in Forest City, 
where he had also previously spent considerable of his time. In 1877, 
he came to Maryville, where he has since resided. He has not for many 
years been engaged in any active business, yet he has been interested 
financially in different enterprises and is at the present time. Mr. 
Graves was married June 1, 1871, to Miss Bettie Gilham, a daughter of 
Woodson and Susan (Burks) Gilham, who were both natives of Virgina. 
Mrs. G. was also born in Virginia, and came to Missouri when six or 
seven years of age. She was reared in Saline County. Mr. and Mrs. 
Graves have two children : Kate D., born July 18, 1873, and Charley C, 
born October 3, 1876. 

W. B. GRAVES, 

of the firm of T. F. Hood & Co., manufacturers of and dealers in harness 
and saddles. Among the sterling business men of Maryville, and one 
who has been closely identified with its growth and prosperity, is W. B. 
Graves. He is a native of Delaware County, New York, and was born 
June 15. 1844. When eight years of age, his father, Lewis, emigrated 
to Indiana with his family, locating in Johnson County. There W. B. 
was raised, receiving a limited education in the common schools. When 
thirteen years of age, he went to Morgantown, and commenced to 
learn the harness and saddlery trade, and, after completing it, he 
worked at various points as journeyman. In 1862, he tendered his 
services to the Union cause, enlisting at Rushville, Indiana, in Company 
C, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, under Captain P. J. Beachbard. He was in 
the Department of the Gulf, and participated in many prominent 
engagements ; was at Richmond, Kentucky, Arkansas Post, the attack 
on Vicksburg, and was taken prisoner while scouting near Greenville, 
Mississippi, but was not long retained, being exchanged with others. 
He was also with Banks, on the Red River expedition, and served 
through until the close, being honorably discharged at New Orleans 
and mustered out at Indianapolis. In November, 1865, Mr. Graves 
came to Maryville, and engaged in the present business, which has sub- 
stantially increased, and is one of the largest in Northwest Missouri. 
He is a man of strict integrity, and decided character, has never been a 
political aspirant, neither is he a candidate for popularity or public fame. 
All enterprises ' to the upbuilding of Maryville have always received 
liis hearty support. He married, in 1866, Miss Nancy Ellen Kelly, of 
Indiana. They have seven children : Willie, George, Hattie, Fannie, 
Gertie, Luella and Kate. Himself and wife are members of the Chris- 
tian Church. 



766 BIOGRAPHICAL. 



G. GREMS, 

agent of the American Express Company, was born near Watertown, 
Jefferson County, New York, February 25, 1843. His father, Daniel, 
was born in Rome, New York, and by occupation was a farmer. His 
mother, formerly Miss Rachel Pool, was born in Johnstown, New York. J. 
G. accompanied his parents to La Fayette County, Wisconsin, in 1849. 
They remained there until 1856, when they moved to Dodge County, 
Minnesota, where they still reside. J. G. spent his boyhood days on the 
farm, and after receiving the benefits of a common school education he 
entered the Seminary at Mantorville, Minnesota. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in company B, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served 
until the close of the war. Previous to enlisting he served in the Home 
Guards, in which he held the position of captain. He filled the position of 
first duty sergeant in the regular army. The years 1862-3 h e spent on 
the plains under General Shelby fighting the Sioux Indians. He took 
part in the battles of Big Stone Lake, Buffalo Lake and two on the 
Missouri River near where Fort Rice now stands. During the summer 
of 1863 they traveled some 1,600 miles on one continuous march, and 
during the winter of 1863-4 did provost duty in St. Louis. In the spring 
of 1864 they joined Gen. A. J. Smith's army corps, taking part in the 
battle of Tapelo, Mississippi, and in the campaign to Holly Springs and 
Tallahatchie ; thence to Independence, Missouri, from whence they 
marched back to Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. G. was taken sick and was 
left at McPherson General Hospital at Vicksburg. He remained there 
some three months, and after partially recovering he acted as clerk for 
Major White, surgeon in charge. In June, 1865, he was granted a fur- 
lough by a special letter from Secretary Stanton, and was afterwards 
mustered out at St. Paul, Minnesota. His health being in an impaired 
condition he engaged as clerk in a hotel at Owatonna, Minnesota. In 
1867, he moved to Missouri and spent the winter at Savannah, coming 
to Maryville in the spring of 1868. He bought the National Hotel and 
kept it until the fall of 1871, when he subsequently acted as host at the 
Central Hotel. He was appointed American Express Agent in the 
spring of 1872, which position he has since filled. The first six years 
he kept the office in R. K. Townsend's store, and assisted as clerk. He 
then commenced the grocery business with Mr. Dooley and kept the 
office in the store. They carried on the business until January, 1882. 
During his residence here Mr. Grems has filled the positions of justice of 
the peace and chairman of the town council two terms, and is at present 
a member from the Fourth Ward. He is a member of Nodaway Lodge 
No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of which he has been Master. Politically he 
is a staunch Republican. He was married in July, 1867, to Miss Emma 
Sanborn, of Owatonna, Minnesota. She was born in New Hampshire. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 767 

They have two children : Adella, twelve years of age, and Lewis M., 
two years old. 

OLIVER GRETTON, 

bricklayer and plasterer. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Washtenaw County, Michigan, and was born December 1, 1842. He 
was there reared to manhood, and received a good common school edu- 
cation. At an early day he began working at the trade of which he is 
now master, with his father, who also followed that occupation. He con- 
tinued the same in his native county till 1866, when he immigrated to 
Mexico, Missouri, and engaged in contracting and building. He there 
resided till 1868, when he removed to Sedalia, Missouri, and after a resi- 
dence there of one year, he returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan, staying for 
one year. Mr. G. next came west and settled in Maryville, and since 
his arrival has been doing a very profitable business. He is a clever 
mechanic, a good financier, and a man well calculated to win success in 
any undertaking. Besides this business, he is interested in Harmon's 
brickyard, and uses all the brick made in that yard. Mr. Gretton was 
united in marriage February 2, 1869, to Miss Jennie Haynes, a native of 
Virginia. They have three children : Alta B., Ethel R. and Bessie M. 

L. J. GROWNEY, 

circuit clerk, is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Meath, 
May 1, 1847. In 1849, hi- s father, Patrick Growney, with his family, 
including L. J., came to America, locating in the state of New York, 
where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and resided until 1858. In 
that year Messrs. Felix & McLaughlin, of the east, purchased a large 
tract of land in the Platte Purchase, with a view of establishing an Irish 
Colony. Among others who came with their families and settled on this 
body of land, in 1858, was Mr. Patrick Growney, who took up his abode 
in the northwest part of Jefferson Township, in Nodaway County. He 
was one of the pioneers in that portion of the county, and was promi- 
nently identified with its growth and development up to the time of his 
demise, which occurred in June, 1879. His wife, now well advanced in 
years, is still a resident of the county. The subject of this sketch was 
reared to manhood and educated in Nodaway County, his boyhood days 
being spent in tilling the soil. With the exception of about six months 
he has been a constant resident of the county since 1858. He had never 
mingled in public affairs, or come before the people in any official capac- 
ity until 1877, when he was appointed by the court county assessor. In 
1879, he was the choice of the Democratic party for circuit clerk, and was 
elected by a handsome majority. Mr. Growney is a gentleman possessing 
fine social qualities and abilities of a superior order. He adheres closely 



768 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

to the Democratic doctrine, but being of a decided and independent 
spirit, does not allow party fealty to bias his judgment. In 1867, Miss 
Josephine Protzman, of Nodaway County, became his wife. By this 
union they have one daughter, Mar)-. Himself and family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

PETER GROSS, 

proprietor of the Maryvilie Bottling Works, is a native of Prussia, Ger- 
many, and was born January 6, 1839. He was reared and educated in 
his native county, and, in 1868, he immigrated to the United States, and 
settled in Wisconsin, living in different sections of that state. In 1872, 
he removed to Dakota Territory, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In 1874, he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained one year, 
and, in 1876, came to Maryvilie, and opened a saloon, and put up ice. 
In 1879, he began the bottling of beer, ale, porter, cider and mineral 
waters, and the demand for his goods is large and his trade constantly 
increasing. He is well and favorably known as an enterprising and suc- 
cessful business man. 

GRUNDY & TERHUNE, 

dealers in agricultural implements. This firm was organized January 
15, 1 88 1. They have a large and complete stock of agricultural imple- 
ments ; handle the Hapgood Sulky Combined Lister and Drill, and 
have all Northwestern Missouri as territory. J. Israel Grundy was born 
in Ballard County, Kentucky, the 27th of August, 1845. His father, 
Samuel H. Grundy, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, formerly 
Miss Sarah Gettings, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. When Israel 
was about one year old his parents moved to Washington County, Iowa, 
and after remaining there four years went to Adair County, Missouri, 
where they stayed some two years ; thence to Osawatomie, Kansas, 
and were there at the time of the John Brown troubles. After a short 
time the)- moved to Marion Count)-, Iowa, and thence to Clinton County, 
Missouri, in 1855. Israel spent his boyhood days on a farm and received 
the benefits of an education in the neighborhood schools. Upon arriving 
at maturity he engaged in teaching, and followed it some ten years. In 
the fall of 1876 he went to the Indian Nation and remained some four 
years there and in Southern Kansas. He first visited Nodaway County 
in 1870, and three years after he returned to Clinton County. He set- 
tled here again in the spring of 1871) and engaged in the agricultural 
implement business, forming his present partnership in January, 1SS1. 
He is an excellent salesman and an enterprising citizen. Mr. G. was 
married November 29, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Weakley, daughter of 
Granville Weakley, of Clinton County, Missouri. She was born in 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 769 

Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1844. They have two children: Anna 
S., born July n, 1876, and Ruth A., born November 23, 1878. Him- 
self and wife are active members of the United Brethren Church. C. W. 
Terhune was born in Andrew County, Missouri, on the 9th of Decem- 
ber, 1853. His father, Adam Terhune, and his mother, whose maiden 
name was Miss Betsy Cary, were pioneers of Northwestern Missouri. 
C W. was brought to Nodaway County, Missouri, by his parents when 
some two years of age. He was reared to manhood, spending his 
boyhood days partly on a farm and partly in Maryville. He received 
the benefits of a common school education, and after arriving at 
maturity he first engaged in farming for some two years, then went 
to Bridgewater and operated a flouring mill for his father about eigh- 
teen months. In the spring of 1880 he commenced the grocery busi- 
ness at Maryville, and in January, 1881, he became associated with Mr. 
Grundy in the implement business., in which he owns a two-third inter- 
est. He is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F.and A. M., of 
Maryville, in which he holds the position of Junior Deacon. He is also 
a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., of Maryville. He 
belongs to the Baptist Church. Politically he is a Republican. 

M. R. HACKEDORN, M. D., 

is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morrow County, in 1848. When 
young he removed to Crawford County. His father, Dr. N. E. Hacke- 
dorn, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio when a young 
man, and for many years has been one of the able and well known prac- 
titioners of Crawford County. M. R. was raised in Crawford County, 
receiving the benefits of the common schools, after which he attended 
and graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. 
He commenced the study of medicine under the tutorship of his father, 
and after a time entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New 
York, from which he graduated in 1870. For three years he was asso- 
ciated in practice with his father, after which he practiced in Cleveland, 
Ohio, and in 1874 he came to Maryville. The doctor possesses consid- 
erable professional pride and courtesy, and is highly esteemed by his 
brother practitioners for his ability as a physician. Since 1875 he has 
been United States Examining Surgeon for Nodaway County. He is at 
present a member of the city council from the Third Ward. He is a Royal 
Arch Mason and Master of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470. In 1874 Dr. Hack- 
edorn married Miss Alenia Duck, of Ohio. They have two children, 
Marion and Bertha. 

PETER HAMILL. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland, and was born 
August 12, 1846. He was there reared to manhood, following the occu- 

4!* 



770 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

pation of farming, and received his education from the schools of that 
vicinity. At the age of eighteen years, he went to Scotland, and was 
engaged for three years in railroading. After that time he immigrated 
to America, and settled in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where he was 
occupied in mining for about six months. He next moved to Des 
Moines, Iowa, and was in the employ of the Des Moines Valley Railroad 
till 1868, when he began peddling through Missouri. In 1869, he took a 
trip to Montana Territory, where he was a resident for fifteen months, 
after which time he returned to Missouri, and resided in St. Joseph for 
three months. He then went to Tennessee, and engaged in peddling, 
passing through most of the Southern States in his travels, and for three 
years made Texas his place of operation. He continued this business 
till 1875, when he came to this city and engaged in business. He has a 
billiard hall in connection wich his saloon. Mr. H. is a man who has 
had a varied and checkered life, and in everything he has undertaken, 
has been unusually successful. He has large real estate interests in this 
city, besides a good farm in the county, and is a wealthy citizen. Mr. H. 
was married January 23, 1877, to Miss Nancy Penny, a native of Illinois. 
They have two children : Lillie and Clara. They are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

HENRY HANNA, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 27, one of the early settlers of Noda- 
way County, was born in County Down, Ireland, January 13, 1818. He 
was brought to America by his parents in 1822, landing at Quebec. They 
settled in Glen Garey County, Canada, and there he was principally raised, 
spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of a com- 
mon school education. When about seventeen years of age he accom- 
panied his parents to Center County, Pennsylvania, where he commenced 
to learn the wagon-makers' trade. He married Miss Margaret Gold- 
man on the 13th of February, 1844. They moved to Clarion County, 
Pennsylvania, where he commenced working at his trade. In 1848, 
Mrs. Hanna died, leaving three small children : Marietta, born Decem- 
ber 6, 1844, (now Mrs. Leander Pistole); Margaret, born April 14, 1846, 
and Mary R., now deceased. Mr. H. moved to Lawrence County, Ohio, 
and on the 5th of June, 185 1, he married Miss Mary J. T. Neal, a native 
of Gallia County, Ohio, born April 22, 1832. They remained there until 
the spring of 1854, when he emigrated west and located in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, on his present farm. Since that time he has been an 
active citizen of Nodaway County. During the war he was a strong 
Union man. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and has 
been a member of the school board almost continuously since he came 
to the county. Politically he stands Independent. Mr. H. has made 
what he has by honesty and attention to business. His landed estate 



POLK TOWNSHIP. yj\ 

consists of 540 acres of fine bottom land, a good barn, orchard, etc., and 
has his farm well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have nine children : 
Charles O., born April 16, 1852 ; William B., born October 12, 1858 ; 
Ella L., born November 21, i860, (now Mrs. George B. Branum); James 
F., born March 9, 1862 ; George N., born February 21, 1864; Alexander 
J., born March 9, 1866; Effie E., born December 8, 1867; Albert S., 
born June 15, 1870 ; lost one, Martha B. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church. 

A. HARDISTY. 

farmer and stock raiser, section n, was born in McDonough County, Ill- 
inois, January 21, 1 841, the son of John Hardisty, a physician and farmer 
by occupation, and a native of Maryland, and Elizabeth (Hungate) 
Hardisty, a Kentuckian by birth. Young Hardisty spent his youth on 
a farm, at his birthplace, receiving an education in the common schools. 
In 1863, he removed to Henderson County, Illinois, where he made his 
home for nine years, then coming to this county. He located where he 
now resides, in January, 1872, the land then being in an unimproved 
condition. He commenced its cultivation, and is now the owner of 360 
acres, besides fifteen acres of timber. There are two maple groves, and 
two orchards, of ten acres in extent, on the place, which is well adapted 
for stock raising. Mr. H. is well thought of by all. He has filled the posi- 
tion of school director and road overseer several terms. His marriage 
occurred on the 6th of March, 1862, to Miss Virginia Penny, daughter 
of George W. Penny, of this county. They have six children : William 
H., born December 18, 1862 ; Elsie J., born November 26, 1864; Nancy 
E., born December 31, 1866; Lucy M., born September 14, 1871; Henry 
A., born October 21, 1873, and Mary E., born May 20, 1876. Besides 
owning some high graded cattle, Mr. Hardisty has some, full blooded 
Merino sheep, and is largely interested in the sheep business. He is a 
Greenbacker in politics. They were formerly members of the Christian 
Church. 

H. G. HARMON, 

proprietor of the Maryville Planing Mill, is a native of Massachusetts, 
and was born in 1834. While an infant he was taken by his parents to 
Winnebago County, Illinois. His early life was spent on a farm, and he 
afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1852 came to Dubuque 
County, Iowa. In 1856 he located in Nebraska, remaining there until 
1859, when he came to this county. He engaged in his present business 
in 1875. Mr. Harmon was married November 17, 1864, to Miss Eliza 
Allertson, a native of Indiana, born November 4, 1844. They have four 
children: Mary J., born August 26, 1865; Emma, born December 8, 
1867; Laura, born February 23, 1876; and George W., born September 
6, 1878. 



77 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

DANIEL HARRIGAN, 

grocer and dealer in wines and liquors, is a native of Ireland, and was 
born February 9. 1815. He was reared in his native land, and was there 
engaged in various branches of business till 1845, when he came to 
America, landing at Montreal He went to Michigan, where he resided 
one year, and next located in Beardstown, Cass County, Illinois, remain- 
ing for six years, then taking up his home in La Salle, Illinois. He was 
there occupied in the grocery business for one year, when he moved to 
Muscatine, Iowa, and continued the same business for fourteen years. 
In the year 1863, he went to California. After having taken a trip by 
water from San Francisco to New York and return, he went to Nevada, 
and from there to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was for a part of the time 
engaged in the grocery business. In 1869, he came to Maryville, where 
he has since been in his present business. Mr. Harrigan was married 
June 16, 1853, to Miss Mary McOuirk, of Ireland. They have three 
children : Jeremiah D., Cornelius B. and Mary A. 

JOHN HAM, 

who for over twenty-five years has been identified with the growth and 
development of Nodaway County, is a native of New Hampshire, and 
was born February 14, 1828. When six years of age, his parents 
removed to the State of New York, and, in 1836, to St. Joseph County, 
Michigan, near South Bend. His father was a farmer, and his early life 
was that of a farmer boy. He received the advantages of a good com- 
mon school education, and had recourse to the occupation of all aspir- 
ing youth — school teaching. In 1851, he removed to Jackson County, 
Iowa, and, in, 1856, came to Nodaway County, where, for years, he fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming and teaching. Politically he has always 
been a Radical Republican. He voted for John C. Fremont, and was 
one of the few of the minority, at that time, whose banner hung on the 
outer wall. In 1868, he was elected sheriff and collector of Nodaway 
County, and held the office until 1873. Mr. H. was married May 9, 1853, 
to Miss Justina Pool, who was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1836. 
The}- have a family of nine children : Joseph (now engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits), Ellen, Emmett (who has recently graduated as an M. D. 
at Rush Medical College, Chicago), Amelia, Ida, Alice, John, Fred and 
Frank. 

E. C. P. HAWKINS 

was born in Hinds Count}-, Mississippi, May 27, 1842. His father, J. M. 
Hawkins, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Miss E. J. Calbert, was born in Georgia, but was principally raised 
in Mississippi. Eugene was reared to manhood at his birthplace. He 



FOLK TOWNSHIP. 773 

first attended school at the Nashville Western Military Institute, then 
entering Clinton College, of Clinton, Mississippi. When the war broke 
out the school became demoralized, and in June, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company B, Twenty-second Mississippi Volunteer Infantry as a private. 
He was afterwards promoted to first lieutenant, and served until the 
close of the war, taking part in many of the hardest fought battles. 
He was under General Pope at Shiloh, and participated in both battles 
of Corinth, serving under General Van Doran, and also in the seige of 
Vicksburg. He acted as guide for General Pemberton in the Georgia 
campaign, taking part in all the engagements around Atlanta. He then 
engaged in the Tennessee campaign, and from there to North Carolina 
under General Joseph E. Johnston, and was with him at the surrender. 
At the close of the war Mr. H. returned to his old plantation home, near 
Raymond, Mississippi. During the year 1866 he assisted in the duties 
of the sheriff's office, and then turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
'suits. Leaving the south in the spring of 1873, ne came to Maryville 
and engaged in the real estate business. In September, 188 1, he became 
deputy circuit clerk. He stills owns considerable real estate, and has a 
neat residence. Mr. Hawkins was married November 24, 1870, to Miss 
Fannie T. Jones, daughter of William S., and Mary Jones, of Hinds 
County, Mississippi. They have a family of four children : William L., 
born October 2, 1871 ; John M., born February 25, 1873 ; Eugene C. r 
born March 13, 1875; Richmond L., born May 24, 1878. Mrs. H. and 
the children are members of the Catholic Church of Maryville. Mr. H. 
is Democratic in his politics. 



WILLIAM H. HAWKINS, 

of the firm of Hawkins & Craig, grocers, is a native of Kentucky, and 
was born in Madison County, August 10, 1852. He is a son of Edward 
and Lucinda (Elder) Hawkins, who were both natives of Kentucky. 
When W. H. was but one year old they moved to Hancock County, Illi- 
nois, where he was principally educated. When he was seventeen they 
came to Nodaway County. William was reared on a farm, and followed 
farming till 1872, after which he was engaged in teaching and clerking 
till December 1, 1879. Since then he has been interested in the grocery 
business, the present firm having been formed in November, 1880. Mr. 
Hawkins was married September 12, 1877, to Miss Saphronia Jackson, 
a daughter of John and Harriet (Dunn) Jackson, both natives of Ohio. 
Mrs. H. was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, October 21, 1857. They 
have one child, Laura B. Mr. and Mrs. H, arc members of the Christian 
Church. 



774 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

MELVIL HEFLIN. 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Rush County, Indiana, 
on the nth of April, 1842. His father, Lewis Heflin, was a native of 
Bourbon County, Kentucky, and by occupation was a farmer. The maiden 
name of his mother was Miss Nancy McDaniels, and she was also a 
native of Bourbon County. The parents of young Heflin moved to Mis- 
souri in 1850, stopped for six months in Buchanan County, then came to 
Nodaway County, and settled some nine miles southwest of Maryville. 
There the father entered a large tract of land, and here Melvil was raised, 
spending his boyhood days on the farm, and becoming familiar with 
frontier life. His education was obtained in the old log school houses. 
In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company M, 9th Missouri Cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war, taking part in many engagements. His 
company with several others, was captured at the battle of Glasgow, 
Missouri, and kept prisoners about two months. Since the war he has 
given his attention to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Heflin moved to 
Maryville in the spring of 1880, and resided there six months, then 
settling on his present farm of 120 acres, on which is situated a beau- 
tiful residence and other outbuildings inviting and pleasant. He has 
an orchard containing 1,000 apple trees and an abundance of small 
fruits. He is a member of Maryville Lodge No. 165, A. F. and A. M., 
also of Maryville Lodge No. — , I. O. O. F. Mr. H. was married August 
31, 1865, to Miss Sallie Morrison, a daughter of George Morrison, of 
Andrew County, Missouri. They have two children, Tillie B., born 
October 5, 1866, Samuel K., October 27, 1870. Mr. H. and wife are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church South. 

JAMES HENDERSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, a son of John and Elsie (Quick) Hen- 
derson, was born in Madison County, Kentucky, on the 3d of March, 
1825. His father was a native of Tennessee, and his mother of North 
Carolina. In November, 1834, he accompanied his parents to Clay 
County, Missouri, where he was principally brought up, receiving a 
common school education. Being of an energetic and ambitious nature, 
he ever found work to do, assisting more especially about the home 
place. In 1847, he went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the purpose of tak- 
ing part in the Mexican War, but, on reaching that city, peace had been 
declared, and he returned. On June 7, 1857, Mr. H. came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and entered the land on which he now resides. This 
was then in its primitive state. He now has 121 acres of improved 
land, admirably adapted to stock raising, being sheltered by timber, 
and having a sufficient supply of water. He has contributed a full 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 775 

share toward developing the agricultural resources of the county, and is 
worthy of much credit for the interest manifested therein. During the. 
late war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. Mr. Henderson 
has been school director several terms, and at one time was urged to 
become a candidate for county judge, but refused. He is Democratic in 
politics, and a member of the White Cloud Baptist Church. On the 2d 
of March, 1856, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Clizer, a daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Clizer, of Andrew County, Missouri. They have 
nine children: John \V., born April 13, 1857; Julia A., born November 
8, i860; Sarah W., born December 25, 1862 ; Alverda L., born Decem- 
ber 2, 1864; E. S., born February 21, 1867; Bertha E., born November 
3, 1869; Annie E., born August 23, 1873 ; Mary E., born November 9, 
1876, and Louisa F., born June 13, 1880. 

WILLIAM H. HENEBERGH, 

general traveling agent for the Maryville Nurseries, was born in Indian- 
apolis, Indiana, November 12, 1842, and in 1848 he moved to Clay 
County, Missouri, with his father, settling on a farm. He received a 
good common school education, then entered the William Jewell Col'ege, 
where he took a partial course. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate 
army in Colonel John T. Hughes' regiment, and served for four years in 
the States of Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, participating in 
many hard fought battles. Returning to Clay County, he shortly after 
went to Nebraska City, and engaged as clerk in a large mercantile estab- 
lishment. After a few months he returned to Missouri, and went to the 
western country and interested himself in mining and stock business. In 
1872 he returned, and was engaged with the engineers in running out 
the Wyandotte, Kansas City & Northwestern Railroad. In 1873 he came 
to Kansas City and embarked in the contracting and building business, 
which was his trade. In 1880 he became the agent for T. W. Gaunt's 
extensive nurseries, at Maryville, and is still employed in selling trees in 
Southern Iowa and Northern Missouri. His orders are filled promptly, 
and his manner of doing business is very satisfactory. He also manu- 
factures at Maryville a fine common sense harrow, which is said to be 
the best made. Mr. Henebergh married Miss Jennie C. Dyer, of Inde- 
pendence, Missouri, in 1865. 

JOHN P. HEREN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 2, was born in Highland County, Ohio, 
January 20, 1838. His father, Robert Heren, was also a native of Ohio, 
and by occupation a farmer. His mother, formerly Miss Henrietta Deny, 
was born in Pennsylvania. John accompanied his parents to Andrew 



776 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Count}-, Missouri, when about seven years of age, settling some five 
miles north of Savannah. It was then a wild place, and game was 
plenty. Roving bands of Indians passed frequently on hunting expedi- 
tions. On this frontier the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, 
receiving an education in the subscription school, kept in an old log 
school house. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the state service, in 
what was known as the Craner expedition. He afterwards helped 
organize Company B, Forty-third Missouri Infantry, and entered the 
field as second lieutenant, serving until the close of the war. He took 
part in many of the engagements in Southern Missouri. At the close of 
the war he returned to Savannah and commenced the lumber business, 
starting the first pine lumber yard north of St. Joseph. His sales 
extended through Northwestern Missouri and Southwestern Iowa. 
Many of the first buildings in Maryville were erected from lumber from 
his yard. Mr. H. discontinued business in the summer of 1868, and 
moved to Nodaway County, locating in the neighborhood of his present 
residence. Hunting at that late day was good, and he killed some fifteen 
deer during the winter of 1869. He has been quite largely interested in 
the stock business, and at present owns ninety acres of improved land, 
well watered, with plenty of timber. It is one of the finest locations for 
stock raising in the county. A neat residence is situated on an eleva- 
tion, giving a fine view of the city of Maryville, some four miles distant- 
He is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 370, A. F. and A. M., of Mary- 
ville. Politically, he is a Greenbacker ; was formerly an old line Demo- 
crat. Mr. Heren was married on the 5th of September, 1867, to Miss 
Anna Ramey, daughter of P. C. Ramey, of Mount Pleasant, Henry 
County, Iowa. She was born in that county on the 30th of October, 
1846. They have five children : Nora, born June 12, 1868; Eddie, born 
October 18, 1873; Bertie, born February 3, 1875 ; Mauta, born Septem- 
ber 14, 1877; Frankie, born December 18, 1879. Lost one: Johnny. 
Himself and lady are active members of the Christian Church. 

JOHN W. HERREN, 

proprietor of livery and feed stable. In 1875 Mr. H. commenced his 
present business. He has a well equipped barn, keeps good stock, and 
is doing a satisfactorily successful business. He is a deserving gentle- 
man and merits the patronage of the public. He is a native of Vinton 
County, Ohio, was born February 4, 1841, and was there reared in 
the occupation of farming, being educated in the common schools. In 
1869 he emigrated to Missouri and settled in this county, where he was 
engaged in farming till 1875, when he became interested in his present 
business. He was united in marriage January 2$, 1869, to Miss Nellie 
Toel, a native of Germany. Mr. Herren is a member of the Odd Fel- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. "/J? 

lows' fraternity, belonging to White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, of this city. 
During the late war he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Four- 
teenth Ohio Regiment, in I862, and served for three years, participating 
in the battles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Blakely, Louisiana, and was 
on the Red River expedition. 

W. H. HERBERT, 

photographer, is a native of Harrison County, West Virginia, and was 
born January 3, 1828. While an infant he was taken by his parents to 
Ohio, where he was raised and educated. His early life was that of a 
farmer. In 1861 he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and engaged in his 
present business, which he has since followed as an avocation. In 1867 
he came to this city. In connection with his studio he also conducts a 
large insurance business, and represents standard and leading compan- 
ies, among which are the Phcenix, of Hartford, Phenix, of Brooklyn,. 
Springfield Fire and Marine, Niagara, of New York, Liverpool and Lon- 
don and Globe, North British Mercantile and the Fireman's Fund, of Cali- 
fornia. He is a member of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., and 
of the Maryville Encampment, and to no one individual member is the 
society more indebted than to Mr. H. for its promising future. He is 
also a member of the A.. O. U. W., No. 78. He married Miss Lydia J. 
Berrier, of Indiana, in 1871. They have one son, J. Willie. 

M. HILGERT, 

proprietor of billiard hall, is a native of Belgium, and was born July 3, 
1845. He was reared and educated in his native country, and in 1868 he 
emigrated to the United States, and traveled throughout sixteen states 
and territories. In the spring of 1869 he selected Nodaway County,. 
Missouri, as the most desirable place to settle for a home. He purchased 
a farm in Jackson Township, and engaged in farming, stock raising, 
stock feeding, and stock dealing, and continued this business until Feb- 
ruary, 1880, when he settled in Marville and embarked in his present 
business. He married Miss Josephine Schmiedeler. Their family con- 
sists of four children : Christina, John B., Mary, and Roseline. 

JOHN M. HpLT, 

stock dealer, is a native of Andrew County, Missouri, and was born 
September 17, 1848, and is the son of Benjamin R. Holt, born in Missouri, 
who lives near Savannah, and who is at the present time the oldest resi- 
dent of the Platte Purchase. His mother's maiden name was Sallie E. 
King, born in Tennessee. John M. spent his youth until sixteen years of 
age at his birth place. The following two years he was on the plains. 



yy8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

He then returned home and entered Westminster College at Fulton, 
Missouri, remaining two years, and then commenced his career as a stock 
dealer, and in which he has since been engaged. His field of operations 
is now principally confined to Montana, in the Yellowstone Valley 
where he ha.s a large cattle ranch, and is doing a satisfactory business. 
He spends his summers in Montana and his winters in Nodaway County. 
He was married November 4, 1875, to Miss Rachel E. Stephenson, 
daughter of one of Nodaway County's most respected citizens. They 
have one son, Edward B. Mr. Holt is a member of Nodaway Lodge 
No. 165, A. F. and A. M. 

T. F. HOOD, 

of the firm of T. F. Hood & Co., manufacturers and dealers in saddlery 
and harness, is a native of Indiana, and was born in La Grange County, 
October 9, 1845. When nine years of age he immigrated to Minnesota 
with his parents, his father, George Hood, engaging in agricultural pur- 
suits in Fillmore County. The subject of this sketch was there reared 
to manhood and educated, learning the trade he now pursues at Chat- 
field. In 1870 he came to Missouri, embarking in trade in Maryville. 
Mr. Hood is a citizen of sterling worth, and is at present representing the 
First Ward in the city council. He married in 1871 Miss Sophie Malone. 
By this union they have one daughter, Maggie. 

WASHINGTON HOSHOR, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born on the 22d of December, 
18 19, in Fairfield County, Ohio. His father, George Hoshor, a farmer by 
occupation, was born in Shenandoah Count)', Virginia, and moved to 
Ohio in an early day. The maiden name of his mother was Miss Bar- 
bara Mathias, and she was a native of Germany. Washington spent his 
boyhood days on a farm at his birthplace, and received the benefits of a 
common school education. His father dying in 1835, he stayed with his 
mother until 1859, when he immigrated west and settled in Andrew 
County, Missouri. There he remained some fifteen years. He had pre- 
viously made a trip to Northwestern Missouri, in 1856, and entered the 
land where he now resides. In 1876 he moved from Andrew County 
and settled permanently. His landed estate now consists of 840 acres. 
He has a handsome residence, situated on an elevation, also a large barn 
and an orchard of some 350 trees. His is an excellent stock farm, one 
of the largest in the county, and in his business dealings he is upright 
and reliable. Politically he is a Democrat. During the war he served 
some two years in the Enrolled. Missouri Militia. Mr. Hoshor was mar- 
ried on the 15th of July, 1866, to Miss Annie Lincoln, a daughter of John 
Lincoln, a native of Virginia. Mrs. H. was a second cousin of Abraham 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 779 

Lincoln. They have had five children : John L., born November 8, 1866 ; 
George W., born February 20, 1868; Otis W., born August 19, 1869; 
Eva, born November 11, 1870 ; and Ina P., born November 22, 1878. 

WILLIAM M. HOWELL, 

of the firm of Howell Brothers, dealers in lumber, Maryville, and of S. 
R. Howell & Co., wholesale lumber dealers, Chicago, and of the firm of 
Jewell & Co., Atchison, Kansas. Besides these places they also have 
other houses where they do a retail business. Mr. Howell is a native of 
Illinois, and was born in Aurora, June 20. 1845. He was reared in his 
native town and there educated. In 1863 he enlisted in Company A, 
36th Illinois Infantry, and remained in service till May, 1865, 
when he returned to his native town and engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness with his father. In 1868 he moved to Marseilles, Illinois, where he 
followed the same business till 1870, when he went to Moline and was 
for one year employed in the office of the Moline Plow Works. After 
that he was engaged in the lumber and saw mill business till 1878, when 
he came to Maryville. Since then he has been doing a thriving trade, 
being thoroughly posted therein. Mr. H. was married October 27, 1868, 
to Miss Hattie E. Sayer, a daughter of Henry V. and Phcebe (Moffitt) 
Sayer, who were both natives of New York. Mrs. H. was born in 
DuPage County, Illinois, June 19, 1845. Mr. H. is a son of I. M. and 
Cornelia (Ruggles) Howell, the former a native of New York, and the 
latter of Ohio. 

A. M. HOWENDOBLER, 

of the firm of Howendobler Brothers, druggists, is a native of Ohio, and 
was born in Champaign County, July 26, 1843. When he was about six 
years of age his parents moved to Darke County, of the same state, and 
when he was sixteen they came to Missouri, locating in Livingston 
County, this being in February, i860. During the following fall Cla- 
rinda, Iowa, became ther home till 1869, when A. M. came to Maryville. 
He was educated in Darke County, Ohio, and Clarinda, Iowa, and has 
been in the drug business since 1861. He was married December 26, 
1877, to Miss Ella Moses, a daughter of Hezekiah and Mary (Boyd) Moses, 
both natives of Ohio. Mrs. H. was born in Miami County, Ohio, February, 
1854. They have two children, Francis V., and Audry M. John M. 
Howendobler, a member of this firm, was born in Darke County, Ohio, 
May 28, 1857, and resided with his parents in all their various moves, 
being principally educated in Maryville. He has been engaged in the 
drug business from boyhood. In 1875 he went to Mankato, Jewell 
County, Kansas, where he was engaged in the drug business till August 
15, 188 1, when he became a partner in the above mentioned firm. He is 



780 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

a member of the I. O. O. F., of the K. P., and of the Masonic fraternities. 
The father of A. M. and J. M. Howendobler, Jacob, was born in Lancas- 
ter County, Ohio, February 24, 18 1 5. Pie was reared in his native vil- 
lage, and there received a fair literary education. When, quite young he 
chose for a profession the practice of medicine, and began the study when 
about twenty-one years of age. He went to the Western Indian 
Reserve of Ohio, where he remained one year, and about 1839 ne loca- 
ted in Champaign County, where he was engaged in the clothing busi- 
ness, which he had previously followed for some twenty years. This he 
continued in Champaign County for twelve years, and then moved to 
Miami County, where he was also engaged in that business till 1852. At 
that time he located in Darke County, having one store located in Hill 
Grove and another in Union City. He also completed his studies in that 
county, and came to Missouri, making the other moves as before men- 
tioned. He was actively engaged in the practice of medicine from the 
time he landed in Clarinda till the time of his death, and at the same 
time was interested in the drug business. His death occurred April 21, 
188 1. He had been married four times. By his second wife he had four 
children, A. M. being the only one living, and by his third wife he had 
seven children, five of whom are living : Mary L., John M., Elmer E., 
Joseph W. and Edward. 

J. E. HUDSON, 

of J. E. & W. H. Hudson, dealers in hardware and stoves, and manu- 
facturers of tinware, is a native of England, and was born January 8, 
1833. The same year he was brought by his parents to the United 
States, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent his youth and 
learned the tinner's trade. In 1834 he moved to Blandinville, McDon- 
ough County, Illinois, where he remained nine years, and then came to 
Missouri and located at Savannah, there continuing to reside for three 
years. At that time he came to Maryville and established his present 
business. Mr. Hudson was married in 1858 to Miss Mary F. Hayes, of 
Illinois. They have a family of four children : George T., Alice, Lillie, 
and Ernest. 

W. H. HUDSON, 

of J. E. & W. H. Hudson, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 17, 
1842, and lived there until his removal to McDonough County, Illinois, 
in 1855. In 1861, he enlisted in the Second Illinois Cavalry, and served 
three years, and participated in many of the battles and skirmishes 
from Cairo to New Orleans. After being mustered out of the service, 
he returned to Illinois, and thence to Savannah, Missouri, and engaged 
in business with his brother, and came to Maryville in 1868. He mar- 
ried Miss Lizzie Elwood, September 7, 1870. She was born in Cattar- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 78 I 

augus County, New York. They have two children living, Charlie and 
Harry; lost two, Freddie and Ralph. Mr. H. is member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also of the I. O. O. F. 

HUGHES & SNAPP, 

dealers in clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, and gents' furnishing goods. 
This business has been conducted by this firm since 1879, Mr. Hughes 
having become a partner at that time. They have a large and complete 
stock of goods in their line, and are doing a successful and increasing 
business, which they merit, being honest, enterprising, and giving close 
attention to the wants of the public. George W. Snapp is a native of 
Lewis County, Missouri, and was born March 21, 1840. He resided there 
till he attained his sixth year when he was taken by the family to 
Andrew County, being a resident in that vicinity for ten years. After 
this time he emigrated to this county, where he was reared and 
received his education. He is by trade a carpenter, at which he worked 
for some years, previous to embarking in mercantile pursuits. His first 
experience as a merchant was in 1870, when, in company with his 
brother, he established his present business, under the firm name of 
Snapp & Pro. This firm, after doing a year's successful business, 
changed, his brother going out and his father taking an interest. The 
firm then was known as Snapp & Co. After continuing but a short 
time, J. I. 'George became a member, Mr. S.'s father retiring, and the 
partnership existed under the title of Snapp & George. After seven 
years, Mr. Snapp withdrew from the firm. He then took a stock of 
goods to Graham and opened a splendid store, but not being suited at 
that point, after five months, he returned to this city and purchased Mr. 
George's interest in the old store. The firm then became Vaughn & 
Snapp. They continued the business till 1879, when Mr. Hughes 
became a member, forming the present firm. Few men are more widely 
or favorably known than Mr. S. As a merchant he stands prominent, 
and it is of such gentlemen that Maryville may well feel proud. He was 
united in marriage October 25, 1869, to Miss Georgia Hughes, a native 
of Missouri. They have two children : Cora L., and Arthur T. He is a 
member of Maryville Lodge, No. 165, A. F. and A. M., and is its pres- 
ent treasurer. He is the present township collector. At the breaking 
out of the war Mr. S. enlisted in 1861 in Company F, (Captain Cooper's 
company), serving for ten months. He participated in a number of bat- 
tles, prominent among which were Plue Mills, Lexington, Missouri ; Pea 
Ridge, Arkansas. In 1863, he emigrated to Colorado, and was engaged 
in freighting on the plains till 1865. James T. Hughes is a native of Lafay- 
ette County, Missouri, and was born October 6, 1844. He was there 
reared to manhood and received his education from the common 



782 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

schools of that county. At the age of twenty-two years he began 
learning the machinist trade, at which he continued ten years. In 1872 
he removed to this city, and in 1879 became associated with Mr. Snapp 
in their present business. 

JOHN M. HUGHES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, was born in Anderson County, Ken- 
tucky, February 12, 1840, and is the son of William Hughes, a farmer, 
and a native of Nicholas County, Kentucky, and Mary E. (Sweasey) 
Hughes, of Nelson County, Kentucky. John obtained an education at 
his birthplace, and there was brought up on a farm. When twenty-one 
years of age, he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed for about four years, then turning his attention to farming. In 
i860, he took a trip to Texas, and, in 1861, came to Missouri, removing 
from this state in 1862, to settle in McDonough County, Illinois. There 
he resided until he came to this county, in 1875. He now owns 200 
acres of well improved and stocked land, upon which is an orchard ot 
135 apple trees. Mr. H. commenced in life without capital, and what he 
now possesses has been gained by his own efforts. He served for six 
months, in the year 1861, with the Home Guards, under General Price, 
participating in the battles of Springfield and Lexington. He is a 
Democrat in politics. Mr. Hughes was married May 28, 1863, to Miss 
Nancy E. Bond, daughter of Richard Bond, a native of Washington 
County, Kentucky. They have seven children : Kate, born May 10, 
1864; Richard W., born November 25, 1866; Cora, born July 31, 1869; 
Alonzo, born February 12, 1872 ; Lulu, born February 24, 1876"; Elmer, 
born August 5, 1879, and Blanche, born February 6, 1881. Mr. H. is a 
member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of Maryville. 
He is at present school director. 

SAMUEL HULL, 

the subject of this sketch is a native of Virginia, and was born May 14, 
1805. When he was but a child his parents, Ezekiel and Mary (Denton) 
Hull, moved to Ohio and located in Ross County, where he was brought 
up and educated, having the advantages only of the old fashioned sub- 
scription school. In 1824 he moved to Delaware County, Ohio, and in 
three years returned to Ross County. Three years later he again located 
in Delaware County, where he resided till the spring of 1871, at which 
time he became a citizen of Maryville. He was reared on a farm and 
followed the occupation of tilling the soil till he came to Maryville, and 
since then has been living a retired life. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., also belongs to the Baptist Church of which he has been a member 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 783 

for fifty-five years. Mr. Hull was married November 28, 1824, to Miss 
Cherissa Wilcox, who was born in Vermont, June 8, 1807. She died 
December 12, 1872. They had twelve children, eleven of whom grew 
up and ten are now living. Cornelius, born November 7, 1826; Clarissa, 
November 2, 1829. (now deceased); Herman W., December 17, 1831; 
Lydia A., November 21, 1833; Mary, December 15, 1835; Martha, August 
24, 1837; Samuel E., February 4, 1842; George R, February 6, 1844; 
Joseph M., May 22, 1846; Harriet, July 20, 1848; Daniel D., November 
9, 1850. Mr. H. was again married April 9, 1876, to Mrs. Mary J. 
Young, a daughter of Mr. Phineas Richardson and Mrs. Elizabeth (St. 
Clair) Richardson. Mrs. H. was born in Dayton, Ohio, December 26, 
1823, and was reared in Hillsborough, Highland County, of the same 
state. There she was married to Milton Young, December 20, 
1843. Mr. Young was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 10, 1816. 
He was reared on a farm and educated in his native county. He then 
learned the carpenters' trade which he followed during life. During the 
war he was in service for four years, being confined in prison for eight 
months in that time. In 1865 he moved to Missouri, and located in Holt 
County, and in the following spring came to Maryville, where he resided 
till the time of his death, which occurred November 26, 1868. They had 
a family often children, four of whom are living. Laura, born Decem- 
ber 7, 1844; William, June 16, 1847; Kate B., November 5, 1856; Elvira 
S., February 25, 1859. Mrs. H. is also a member of the Baptist Church. 

MARTIN HUNT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, is the son of E. and Catharine (Joyce) 
Hunt, and was born on a farm in Carroll County, Ireland, November I, 
1832. His parents were both natives of that country, and there he was 
principally reared, receiving a common school education. In 1847, ne 
crossed the ocean with the family, and was shipwrecked on Delaware 
Bay, near Lewiston. They were rescued and taken to Philadelphia. Mr. 
Hunt remained in that vicinity for about a year and a-half, and then 
moved west to Henry County, Illinois, where he made his home until 
April, 1874. He then moved to this county, and settled on his present 
farm, containing 250 acres. It was then unimproved, but by hard work, 
he now has it under good cultivation, and upon it is a good residence. 
His orchard is some two acres in extent. His farm is located about 
seven miles from Maryville, and is well stocked. He is at present hold- 
ing the position of school director. He is a member of the Catholic 
Church. Mr. Hunt was married September 26, 1862, to Miss J. Shortell, 
daughter of Edward Shortell, a native of Ireland. They have eight 
children: Kate, born July 1, 1863; Edward, born September 12, 1865; 
Mary, born November 29, 1867 ; Lawrence, born January 5, 1870; Mar- 



784 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

tin, born May 29, 1873 ! Theresa, born November 7, 1875 ; Lydia, born 
August 16, 1877, and Lettie, born January 17, 188 1. Mr. H. is a Dem- 
ocrat. 

EDWARD K. HURLBUT, 

dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, is a son of Ralph H. and Susan 
(Jones) Hurlbut. The former was a native of Vermont, and the latter of 
New York. Edward K. was born in Mt. Sterling, Brown County, Illinois, 
November 1, 1839, and when he was two years of age his parents moved 
to New Albany, Indiana, where he lived until he attained his seventeenth 
year, when the family moved to Ouincy, Illinois. During 1850-51 he 
attended school in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and in 1856 he entered the 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, attending two years. He then engaged 
in the pork packing business in Ouincy one year, after which he entered 
Yale College, where he attended one term, then returning to Ouincy on 
account of the breaking out of the war. He remained in that city until 
the surrender of Vicksburg. He then embarked in the mercantile trade 
in Vicksburg, in which he continued until peace was restored. From 
this place he went to Chicago and engaged in the pork packing business, 
continuing one year, when he returned to Quincy, remaining until March, 
1 87 1 ; at that date he came to Mary ville and since then has been engaged 
in his present besiness. He is known and recognized as an honorable, 
straightforward business man, prompt and energetic ; upright in all his 
dealings, he has secured the esteem and commands the respect and con- 
fidence of his fellow-citizens in the community where he resides. Mr. 
H. was married November 15, 1864, to Miss Helen E. Holmes, a daughter 
of Samuel and Jane (Streeter) Holmes, who were both of Massachusetts. 
Mrs. H. was born in Ouincy, Illinois, December 31, 1845. They have 
two children, Richard W. and Henry H. 

CHARLES HYSLOP. 

of the firm of Hyslop & Rowley, real estate and insurance agents, is a 
native of Steuben County, New York, and was born July 21, 1843. His 
father was William Hyslop, and his mother's maiden name was Mary 
McAdam, both natives of Scotland. They emigrated to the United 
States in 1843. The family made their permanent home in Hancock 
County, Illinois, where the youth of the subject of this sketch was spent, 
he there being educated. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in the 
Black Hawk Cavalry, and after serving a short time it was consolidated 
with the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and he remained in the service two 
years and was then honorably discharged on account of disability. He 
returned to Illinois, and in 1874 came to Maryville and engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits, but the greater portion of the time in his present busi- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 785 

ness. He was commissioned by Governor Crittenden captain of the 
Maryville Guards. Mr. Hyslop was married in 1867 to Miss M. D. Mann, 
of Hancock County, Illinois. 

JOHN JACKSON, 

one of the most worthy men who ever made his home in Nodaway 
County, was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, and was born October 
jo, 1 8 10. He was reared on a farm, and made agricultural pursuits his 
vocation. In 1843, he emigrated to Platte County, Missouri, and, in the 
fall of the same year, came to Nodaway County, and was elected the 
first county treasurer, holding the office for several years. He married 
Miss Harriet Dunn, a native of the same county as himself. Mr. Jack- 
son died January 27, 1875, leaving a wife, and a family consisting of 
Sarah, Joseph, Louisa (now Mrs. Trueblood), Rachel (now Mrs. J. H. 
Bentley), Benton, Ada, Phronia (now Mrs. W. H. Hawkins), and Oliver. 
In the position of trust and honor to which he was called, Mr. Jackson 
discharged his official duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. As a 
man, he was temperate in habits, honest and upright in motive and 
action, kind and considerate of others, sincere and patriotic, quick and 
clear in his perception, discreet and thoughful, he justly earned and was 
more than entitled to the position he had in the community. 

JOSEPH JACKSON, 

banker. Among the pioneers of Nodaway County and one who took an 
active part in its early development was Mr. John Jackson. He was a 
native of Ohio, and came to Missouri in the spring of 1843, locating in 
Platte County. In the autumn of the same year, with his family, includ- 
ing the subject of this sketch, he came to Nodaway County, locating one 
and a-half miles north of Maryville, where he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, being looked upon as one of Nodaway's sterling citizens until 
the time of his demise, which occurred in January, 1875. His wife, Har- 
riet Jackson, now well advanced in years, is still a resident on the old 
homestead. They reared a family of eight children, five daughters and 
three sons, Joseph being the oldest of the sons. He was born in Jeffer- 
son County, Ohio, September 20, 1842, and was there raised to manhood, 
attending school for a time in Ohio. His early days were spent in tilling 
the soil of Nodaway County. In 1861 Mr. Jackson was among the first 
to tender his services to the Union cause by enlisting in the state militia, 
and in 1863 he joined Company F of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. He 
participated in many of the stirring events of the war; was twice 
wounded, being deprived of one of his lower limbs from the effect of a 
musket ball, at the memorable battle of Nashville. Being unfitted for 

50 



;S BIOGRAPHICAL. 

field duty, his time was occupied in attending to the wants of the hos- 
pital sufferers. He served until the close of the war, when he was hon- 
orably discharged. Returning to Nodaway County in 1865, he was 
appointed county clerk, to fill an unexpired term. The same autumn he 
was elected to the office, and in 1866 re-elected, again in 1870 and also 
in 1874, serving until 1879, when he turned his entire attention to the 
banking business, having become interested in this branch in 1873. As 
an official Mr. J. discharged the duties of his trust with fidelity and to 
the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is a close observer and a 
good financier. In the business as well as the domestic circle, he is to 
be found one of the most genial and companionable of men. Besides 
his banking business in Maryville, he is largely interested in the Valley 
Bank at Clarinda, Iowa. In his religious preferences he is a Presbyte- 
rian, and politically he has been a life long Republican. He is also a 
member of the I. O. O. F. In 1866 Miss Amanda Broyls, of Nodaway 
County, became his wife. They have four daughters : Lola, Mary, Laura 
and Nellie. 

W. W. JACKSON, 

proprietor of feed and sale stables, was born in Chester County, Penn- 
sylvania, near Philadelphia, on the 23d of February, 1833. His father, 
Samuel Jackson, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his 
mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Moore, was a native of Ire- 
land. She crossed the ocean when seven years of age. William was 
reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on the 
farm, and receiving an education in the neighborhood schools. His 
father kept a blacksmith shop in connection with his farm, and William 
learned the trade. Upon arriving at 'maturity, he engaged in merchan- 
dizing in Cochransville, Pennsylvania, and remained some two years in 
this business, then turning his attention to agricultural pursuits and 
butchering. This he followed while he remained there. In 1864, he 
emigrated west, and settled in Marion, Linn County, Iowa, where he 
started a livery and sale stable. Selling out, he moved to Maryville in 
the spring of 1867, and started a feed and sale stable at this point. He 
has a well arranged barn, and keeps a good stock of horses constantly 
on hand. He is the owner of a neat and comfortable residence in the 
same block. He takes an interest in educational matters, and has filled 
the position of chairman of the school board of Maryville. Mr. Jackson 
was married on the 28th of January, 1857, to Miss Rebecca Andrews, 
daughter of Arthur Andrews, of Chester County, Pennsylvania. She 
was there born April 6, 1832. They have lately celebrated their silver 
wedding, and received some beautiful gifts from their friends. There 
were present on that occasion fifty-four persons, all being relatives 
except four. Mr. and Mrs. J. have one son, Wilmer A., born on the 28th 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 787 

of January, 1862. He and his wife are active members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church of Maryville, in which he holds the position of deacon. His 
parents are both living in Linn County, Iowa. 

ADOLPH D. JENSEN, 

prescription druggist and dealer in druggists' sundries, is a native of 
Denmark, and was born in Copenhagen, May 19, 1849. His father, 
Peter Jensen, was a native of the same city, and his mother, Malfridur 
Svensdatter, a native of Iceland. It may not be out of place in this 
connection to state that the latter was a remarkably handsome woman, 
and her portrait now adorns the walls of a celebrated museum of art 
in Paris as the representative of the most beautiful lady of Denmark. 
Her taste in dress was unsurpassed, and a native costume prepared for 
herself was purchased by the queen for a select masquerade. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was reared and educated at his birthplace, and early 
commenced the active duties of his chosen occupation. Deciding to 
avail himself of the opportunities offered in the New World for men 
with strong hands, hopeful hearts, when coupled with energy and integ- 
rity, he, in 1870, landed in America, and at once cor'menced the bat- 
tle of life without means. He worked at various occupations in as 
many places, husbanding all his resources until he was enabled to 
engage in business on his own account. He opened a store in Maryville 
in 1876, and has not only secured the reputation of being a safe, cautious 
merchant, but, at the same time, by his skill and thorough knowledge of 
his business, commands the unlimited confidence of his patrons. Mr. 
Jensen married Miss Mary Arnold, a native of Canada, in 1876. They 
have one son, Charles. 

WILLIAM B. JONES, 

deceased, was a native of Campbell County, Virginia, and was born 
October 31, 1795. He was a son of James and Catherine (Stith) Jones, 
the former of Welsh descent, and a native of Virginia. The latter was 
also a native of the same state. William received a fair education in 
his native count}', and was there reared, being endowed with more than 
an ordinary memory, on which he relied much in his business transac- 
tions during life. His boyhood days were passed on a farm, and he was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, in Campbell County, till 1817. Dur- 
ing the war of 18 12, he served for twelve months, from which he drew a 
pension, as does his widow at the present time, in 18 17, he moved to 
Kentucky, and located in Howard County', where he resided for one 
year, then moving to Breckenridge Count)-, where he was engaged at 
farming and dealing in merchandise, till 1865. In that vicinity he was 
one of the most prominent and respected citizens, and was an active 



788 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

member in the fair association. He was no office seeker, but held many 
minor offices, and was often solicited to accept others. In 1865, he came 
to Missouri, and located in Nodaway County, and, one year later, he 
came to Maryville, where he resided till the time of his demise, which 
occurred November 22, 1880. In all his business undertakings he was 
remarkably successful, and was noted by all who knew him for his exact- 
ness and truthfulness. When he thought he had gained enough of this 
world's goods to make himself and family happy during the remainder 
of their lives, he had no anxiety to make more, and had for several 
years been leading a retired life. During life, he was an active member 
of the M. E. Church, to which he had belonged since he was fifteen 
years of age. Mr. Jones was married March 27, 18 18, to Miss Mary W. 
Stith, a daughter of Benjamin and Phebe Stith, who were both natives 
of Virginia, and of French descent. Mrs. Jones was born in Bedford 
County, Virginia, June 10, 1802, and, when four years of age, her parents 
moved to Kentucky, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. J. had a 
family of twelve children : Catherine, is now Mrs. Thomas Moorman ; 
Phebe W. is unmarried and lives at home with her mother ; James W. 
is a practicing physician in Arkansas ; William R. is a lawyer, also in 
Arkansas, both learned men, and are doing a lucrative business ; Mary 
A. is now Mrs. Geltham, who resides in Saline County, Missouri, and 
Theodore. Those not living are Lucy C. (Goode), Elizabeth A. (Board), 
Benjamin S., Charles H., Laura F. and Ellen. Since the death of Mr. 
Jones, Miss Phebe and Theodore have had the care of matters for the 
family. Mrs. Jones has been a member of the M. E. Church for many 
years. Though now in her eightieth year, she enjoys good health, and 
is very active for a person of that age. 

N. T. JONES, 

was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 8, 1844. His father was a 
man of prominence in his native county, and had filled various county 
offices. In 1864 N. T. enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty- 
fifth Ohio, and served until the close of the war, when he returned to 
Camp Chase and was honorably mustered out. He continued to live in 
Ohio until 1868, when he decided to come to Missouri. He settled in 
Warren County, where he lived five years, following different^pursuits, 
and acting for a time as justice of the peace. In 1874 he made his home 
in Maryville. In 1875 he was appointed on the police force, serving 
three years, and was then elected marshal. He was afterwards appointed 
deputy sheriff, serving a few months, and with the exception of the time 
while acting as deputy sheriff, he has been on the police force seven 
years, and has proved himself an efficient and capable officer. Mr. J. 
was married in 1869, to Miss Mary M. Linn, of Warren County, Missouri. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 789 

They have a family of four children : Frank, Alice L., Florence M. and 
Paul. Two are deceased — Carl, who died in January, 1880, and Lois 
W., who died October 29, 1881. Mr. Jones is a member of the A. O. U. 
W. and a charter member of Industry Lodge, No. 78. 

S. P. JOY 

was among the early settlers of Nodaway County, and was born in Mor- 
gan County, Ohio, in 1837. His father, Absalom Joy, and his mother 
whose maiden name was Jane Farris, were both natives of Ohio. S. P. 
was reared to manhood at his birth place, spending his boyhood days 
on a farm and receiving a preparatory education in the neighborhood 
schools. He afterwards attended a select school under John Wright. 
When the war broke out he was among the first to respond to President 
Lincoln's call for troops. He enlisted in April 1861, in Company H, 
Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, and after serving some four months, re-en- 
listed in Company D, Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They 
served with the Seventeenth Army Corps, taking part in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, where they witnessed the surrender of Gen- 
eral Pemberton. After taking part in many raids, they joined General 
Sherman at Big Shanty, and with him went through to Atlanta. On the 
22nd of July, 1864, the subject of this sketch with several others, was 
taken prisoner and then sent to the noted Andersonville prison. He 
remained there two months, then escaped bare headed and bare footed, 
and with two companions reached the Union lines near Atlanta after a 
hard night's tramp, having had nothing to eat for two days. He was 
almost a skeleton and was then sent home to recruit. After remaining 
at home a short time he went to New York, then by a vessel around 
Cape Hatteras, where they encountered a terrible storm. Mr. J. joined 
General Sherman at Buford, South Carolina, and took up the line of 
march through swamps etc., participating in the battle of Bentonville. 
He witnessed the surrender of Johnston's army, and then took part in 
the grand review at Washington. The regiment was mustered out at 
Louisville, Kentucky, and disbanded at Columbus, Ohio, on the 11th of 
July, 1865. He had been promoted to second lieutenant at Janesboro, 
North Carolina. Coming west in October, 1865, Mr. J. settled at Savan- 
nah, where he engaged in teaching. He also assisted in the postoffice 
and express office at Savannah while recruiting. He came to Nodaway 
County in October, 1869, and settled at Sweet Home, where he kept a 
grocery and the postoffice for some time. In the spring of 1878 he took 
a trip to Colorado for the benefit of his health, and on returning, settled 
at Maryville in the fall of that year, where he has since remained. He 
owns a fine farm of 220 acres east of town, and has a residence in Mary- 
ville. He was formerly a member of the G. A. R. Politically he is a 



790 . BIOGRAPHICAL. 

staunch Republican. He was married in August, 1868, to Miss Melinda 
Mingus. She was born in Athens, Ohio, March 6, 1845. They have 
four children: Lewis A., born July 16, 1871; William D., born May 6, 
1873; Ellis M., born May 7, 1877; Jessie Y., born December 18, 1880. 
Himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
lof Maryville. 

THOMAS KELLY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 2, was born on the Isle of Man, Decem- 
ber 26, 181 5. His father, Thomas Kelly, and his mother, formerly Miss 
Catharine Kirk, were also natives of the Isle of Man. Thomas there 
resided until fifteen years of age, when he crossed the ocean, starting 
from Liverpool, England, and landing at New York City, after being 
six weeks and three days on the voyage. He settled at Easton, Penn- 
sylvania, where he remained some three years, then moving to Williams- 
burg, on the Susquehanna River. His next location was at Pottsville, 
Pennsylvania, and after leaving there he went to Lawrence County, Ohio, 
where he resided some four years, then going to Gallia County. Fifteen 
years afterwards he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the spring of 
185 1, and settled in Polk Township, of which he has since been a resi- 
dent, with the exception of a trip made to California in the spring of 
1875, when he visited two sons.' Mr. K. has been an active citizen and 
a public spirited man, and being an old settler, he is well known. Dur- 
ing the war, seven of his family were sick at one time with smallpox, 
and all recovered except his father-in-law, who became ill with lockjaw 
and died. The neighbors were afraid to render any assistance, with the 
exception of Mr. Frazee and son and a man by the name of Snoddy. 
These three assisted in burying his father-in-law. He at present owns 
a fine farm of 172 acres, upon which is a good orchard, etc. He was 
married in 1835, to Mrs. Helen Wiseman, a native of Virginia. They 
have seven children living : Margaret (now Mrs. Cass Harmon, of 
Nebraska City); John W., Lewis, Williams, Henry and Thomas, twins, 
and Pascall B. Mrs. Kelly died in 1865. Mr. K. was married again to 
Mrs. Man- Jennings. Their family consists of Hugh, Betty, George, 
Charlie, Allen, Jessie and Florence B. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church. 

JUDGE S. T. KENNEDY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 9, was born on a farm in Fayette Count}-, 
Indiana, on the 29th of September, 1830. His father, John Kennedy, a 
farmer by occupation, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, 
whose maiden name was Miss Charity McMichael, was also born in the 
same state. Young Kennedy remained at his birthplace until fourteen 
years of age, and attended the common schools. In 1 S44 he accompa- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 79 1 

nied his parents to Missouri, and settled in Platte County when Indians 
were the inhabitants. There he remained six years, coming to Nodaway 
County in the spring of 1850. In the fall of that year he entered the 
land on which he now resides and commenced improving it. At that 
time there were no settlers between his place and Maryville, and only 
four families and one store in that town. His parents and a nephew 
located on the property now composing the poor farm, and he has but 
one neighbor who lived near him in those early days, Mr. Cain, who 
located there in 186 1. The nearest supply point was St. Joseph, and to 
make the trip occupied four days. Mr. Kennedy endured many trials in 
cultivating his land and developing a new country, but finally succeeded 
in procuring 240 acres, making a valuable stock farm He has some well- 
bred horses, graded cattle and other stock, and his land is well watered. 
In 1873 he was elected chairman of the count)' court, filling the position 
for five years and six months in a most satisfactory manner. The length 
of time he has served in public offices is ample evidence of the esteem 
in which he is held by all. He is Democratic in politics. Mr. K. was 
married July 14, 1850, to Miss Lucretia Smith, daughter of John P. Smith, 
formerly a prominent citizen of Clinton Count} 7 , Missouri. They have 
seven children : Mary J., born June 8, 185 1, (now Mrs. B. Willhart) ; 
John W., born April 20, 1853 ; Henry N., born November 25, 1855 ; Alice, 
born January 11, 1861 ; Dora, born February 7, 1864, (now Mrs. W. Tay- 
lor) ; Henriette, born January 24, 1870, and Belle, born November 14, 
1875. Three are deceased. Mr. K. is a member of Maryville Lodge, 
No. 165, A. F. and A. M., and for eight years he held the position of 
Master of the lodge. In 1873-4 he was District Deputy Grand Master. 

ENOCH P. KNABB, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 9, was born ten miles north of Cincin- 
nati, in Hamilton County, Ohio, August 12, 1827. His father, Jacob, 
was a farmer and blacksmith, and a native of Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania. His mother, formerly Elizabeth Parvin, was born in New 
Jersey. Enoch accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Indiana, 
when eight years of age, and there he was principally brought up. He 
attended the common schools, and assisted his father in cultivating the 
farm, though he also worked and became quite proficient at the black- 
smith trade. He remained on the homestead until he was twenty-eight 
years of age, and then purchased a farm of his own, on which he 
remained until he came west, in the spring of 1868. On the 14th of 
March he settled in Green Township, this county, and from there moved 
upon his present place in 1870. This embraces 200 acres, well stocked, 
an orchard of 200 trees, excellent buildings, and everything about the 
place indicates the successful agriculturist. He also owns forty acres of 



79 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

timber in Green Township. Mr. Knabb was formerly a member of the 
Grange. Though often solicited to become a candidate for the various 
township offices, he has always refused. He was married December 16, 
1855, to Miss Mary A. Kelly, daughter of David Kelly, a native of Jack- 
son County, Indiana. They have six children : Samuel F., born June 
12, 1855 ; Elizabeth J., born February 4, 1857, (now Mrs. D. Taylor); 
Sarah L., born June 4, 1858 ; Mary C, born March 28, 1859 ; John J. and 
Willie B. (twins), born June 19, 1868. Two are deceased. Mr. K. polit- 
ically is a Republican. 

CHARLES D. KOCH, M. D., 

was born in Clinton, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, on the 14th day 
of April, 1849, an< 3 is the son of Gerard and Josephine Koch, natives of 
Germany. He was reared until seventeen years of age in his native 
town, receiving the benefits of an academical education. In 1867 he 
came to St. Joseph and secured a situation in a drug store, and at the 
same time commenced reading medicine, with Dr. Berghoffas tutor. He 
attended medical lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, and was 
graduated March 11, 1873. He then returned to St. Joseph, and for over 
one year was connected with his preceptor in the practice of his profes- 
sion. In September, 1874, he settled in Maryville, where he has been 
engaged in the practice of medicine. To his most thorough qualities as 
a physician, he adds promptness and energy in professional duty, and 
he enjoys a good reputation in the discharge of his duties to the sick and 
afflicted. Dr. Koch has a good practice, which is constantly increasing. 
He is a member of White Cloud Lodge of I. O. O. F. He married Miss 
Sophia Jensen, December 25, 1876. She was born in Copenhagen, Den- 
mark. They have one son, Charles Adolph. 

GEORGE KRAUS, 

shoemaker, is a native of Switzerland, and' was born October 5, 1835. 
He received the advantages of a fair education in his native town, and 
worked at the cooper's trade till eighteen years old, when he learned the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed for three years. He then traveled 
in different parts of that country till 1866, when he came to America, 
landing at New York, and locating where he now resides. He has since 
lived here, excepting one year, when he worked in St. Joseph. He now 
owns one business house and a residence in this place. Mr. Kraus was 
married June 21, 1861, to Miss Katie Graul. She was born in Saton, now 
a part of Prussia, March 22, 1842, and came to America in 1867. They 
have one child, Lena, born January 2, 1862. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 793 

G. KUENSTER, 

wholesale dealer in coal oil, is among the prominent business men of 
Maryville. He is a native of Germany, and was born in County Cob- 
lenz, December 25, 1837. He was there reared to manhood, spending 
his youthful days"' in agricultural pursuits, and obtaining his education 
from the schools in that vicinity. At the age of nineteen years he immi- 
grated to America and settled in Monroe County, Illinois, where he 
resided three months, and then went to Ouincy, Illinois. A short season 
afterwards he removed to Grant County, Wisconsin, and engaged in 
farming. He subsequently returned to Illinois and engaged in clerking 
at Liberty, where he remained one year. We next find him situated at 
New Orleans, Louisiana, where he resided six months, and from there 
he settled in Kansas City, Missouri, and embarked in mercantile pursuits 
until the breaking out of the war. In 1861 Mr. K. returned to Illinois 
and enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Illinois Regiment, serving 
three months, and upon obtaining his discharge he re-enlisted in Com- 
pany E, Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteers, serving three years and one 
month. He took an active part in the battles of Fredericksburg, 
Chickamauga, Tennessee, and others of lesser note. He was for three 
months steward of the hospital at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and had 
under his command a small body of troops for the defense of that insti- 
tution. After obtaining his discharge in 1864 he returned to Grant 
County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming, and at the expiration of a 
four years' residence there he removed to this county, engaging in the 
grocery business in Maryville in 1868. Five months later he went to the 
county of his nativity on a visit, which lasted seven months. At the 
end of that time he again came to Maryville, and in 1870 established 
the business now conducted by Wray & Moore. Mr. K. was united in 
marriage, April, 10, 1865, with Miss Elizabeth B. Hollauer, a native of 
Germany. They have six children : Joseph F., Mary E., Ferdinand 
T., Melie, Nettie and Chloe. They are members of the Catholic Church. 
He has been city tax collector one term, and was also for a like period 
county supervisor under the old system. 

N. B. LAMAR, 

was born in Anderson County, Tennesse, March 13, 1829. His father, 
John M. Lamar, was also a native of Tennessee, while his mother, 
whose maiden name was Miss Hannah Smith, was from Virginia. When 
ten years of age N. B. accompanied his parents to Hendricks County, 
Indiana, and after remaining there two years, they moved to Platte 
County, Missouri, arriving in 1841. One year later they came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, and settled on the Nodaway River, in the north- 



794 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

western part of the count}-, there taking up a claim. A log cabin was 
erected, there being not a nail nor a pane of glass in the house. It con- 
tained a puncheon floor, the cracks between the logs were daubed with 
mud, and the chimney was made of sod. N. B. was a good shot with 
his old flint-lock rifle, and spent many pleasant hours in hunting. Rov- 
ing bands of Indians infested the country on hunting expeditions. It 
was on this frontier that the subject of this sketch was reared. He 
received a common school education, and has taken a deep interest in 
the improvement of this county, having cultivated several fine farms. 
He now owns two, one in Nodaway and one in Atchison County. Dur- 
ing the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has at pres- 
ent retired from active business life. Mr. Lamar is the owner of a 
handsome residence in Maryville, besides other town property. He was 
married in June, 1857, to Miss Martha A. Seevers, a native of Tennes- 
see, born November 18, 1835. They have two children : Sarah K., born 
March 27, 1858, (now Mrs. Virgil W. Teeme, of Mexico, Missouri), and 
John J., born November 13, i860. 

L. M. LANE, 

of the firm of Lane & Newman, attorneys, is a native of Missouri, and 
was born in Andrew County, November 4, 1854. His father, Lemuel B. 
Lane, was one of the pioneers of that county. Wlun the subject of this 
sketch was in his second year the family emigrated to Peoria County, 
Illinois, residing there until 1866, when they returned to Missouri, and 
located temporarily at Lexington and Kansas City, eventually taking up 
their abode in Bates County. There they remained until the autumn of 
1869, when they removed to Gentry Count}', and in the spring of 1872 
came to Nodaway. L. M. spent his youthful days in tilling the soil, his 
early educational advantages being very limited. After coming to Mary- 
ville, he attended school for a time, after which he turned his attention 
to teaching, and for two terms taught in the public school building in 
town. In the spring of 1875 ne commenced the study of law in the office 
of Messrs. Johnson & Jackson. Previous to this he had not given the 
law any consideration, and in the unprecedented time of two months and 
twenty-seven days, he was prepared, passed a creditable examination, 
and was duly admitted to the bar. He did not engage actively in the 
practice of his profession until the spring of 1877, when he became the 
junior member of the firm of Beech & Lane. During his short career 
Mr. Lane has attained more than local celebrity, especially as a criminal 
lawyer. He was appointed by the court on the defense in the celebrated 
Otto Sharp murder trial, a history of which is given in this work. In 
1878 the people of Maryville found in Mr. Lane an efficient mayor. In 
the spring of 1881 he was elected city attorney, the duties of which office 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 791; 

he is now discharging. He is favorably spoken of as being the next 
Democratic candidate for prosecuting attorney, and being eminently 
qualified for the position, will undoubtedly receive the hearty support of 
the masses. He is a member of Maryville Lodge, No. 165, of the Masonic 
fraternity, and belongs to the M. E. Church. On the 25th of December, 
1877, Miss Clara E. Howden became his wife. She is the daughter of 
Captain Howden, one of Nodaway's substantial citizens. They have by 
this union two children, Zella May and Milton Vern. 

DR. J. M. LARRABEE, 

is a native of Mississippi, and was born May 30, 1824. His father, Judge 
Aaron Larrabee, was a large planter and prominently known in that 
state, to which he had moved from France when a young man. The 
subject of this sketch received the benefits of a select school education 
in New Orleans, after which he took up the study of medicine under the 
tutorship of Dr. Stone. In due course of time he entered the Louisiana 
Medical University, in New Orleans, and graduated from that institution 
in the spring of 1846. In the autumn of the same year, he accompanied 
General Scott's army to Mexico as physician and surgeon, was at the 
battle of Vera Cruz, and served all through until the close, when he 
returned to the states. At the breaking out of the late rebellion, his 
sympathies being with the south, he entered the Confederate service as 
first regimental surgeon in the Army of the Tennessee. He was after- 
wards made division surgeon, serving through until the close. After the 
war, he located in Adams County, Illinois, and practiced his profession 
for over seven years, when he came to Missouri. After a temporary 
sojourn in different places, in January, 1879, ne became a resident of 
Maryville. The doctor for twenty-five years adhered to the allopathic 
practice, but after mature deliberation, became convinced of the truth of 
the principle involved in the motto, sin/ilia, similibus, curantur, and 
adopted the homoeopathic practice. He has been eminently successful 
during his professional career in Nodaway County, and has a large and 
increasing practice. He is conceded to be one of the best scholars and 
physicians in the place, pleasing in his address, ki'nd in his manners, and 
an entertaining gentleman. He is a member of the Western Academic 
University of Homoeopathy, and the Missouri Institute of Homoeopath) - . 
He i.s a Master Mason. In 1856, Miss Jane Dougherty, of Ohio, became 
his wife. By this union they have five children : Gomeo, Willie, Jennie, 
Woodrow and Cassius. 

JOHN LIEBER, 

merchant. No person in Maryville is more widely known or has been 
more closelv identified with its growth and development than Mr. Lie- 



796 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ber. Commencing with the town when it was in its infancy, he has 
kept pace with its upbuilding and has become prosperous as civ- 
ilization advanced into the city. Mr. L. is a native of Switzerland 
and was born August 29, 1833. He was educated and resided in 
his native country until 1851, when he came to America with his 
parents. They sojourned for a time at Jefferson City, Missouri, after 
which they removed to Booneville, where the father still resides. John 
engaged in clerking in mercantile houses, pursuing that vocation for a 
considerable length of time at Lexington. In 1858 he came to Mary- 
ville, and after clerking one month, made his departure in trade, occupy- 
ing a building about four doors south of his present stand. His capital 
was in conformity with his store, rather small, but his sterling business 
qualifications had been observed by wholesale dealers who came for- 
ward with their assistance, knowing that he was destined to occupy a 
prominent position. He soon after took in a partner, and until the 
breaking out of the war was known as the firm of Lieber & Jester. When 
the rebellion began Mr. Lieber and V. Stephens engaged in the liquor 
trade, and after one year Mr. Bigget became interested, and they 
engaged in general merchandising, continuing for a time, when Mr. 
Lieber withdrew and bought a third interest in the establishment of 
Michau Brothers. The firm was styled J. Lieber & Co. This co-part- 
nership existed until 1876, when Mr. Alfred Michau withdrew. The 
business career of Mr. L. in Maryville has been characterized for square 
dealing. His success, his present and increasing patronage, is evidence 
sufficient to confirm the fact. He is unostentatious, and is among the 
first in endorsing enterprises that would advance the interests of Noda- 
way County. He married in 1859 Miss L. C. Thompson. They have 
by this union three children, Chloe, Mary and Georgie. Himself and 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

CHARLES LIPPMAN, 

furniture dealer and undertaker, is a native of Germany, and was born 
July 6, 1847. He lived in his native country, where he was educated, 
until 1866, and then immigrated to the United States, and settled in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet maker's trade. After liv- 
ing there six years, he came to Maryville, Missouri, in 1872, and entered 
the employ of Stephens & Brother, the oldest house in the furniture line 
in Maryville. In 1876, he purchased one of the brother's interest, and 
became a partner, and, on the 1st of January, 1879, ne purchased the 
other brother's interest, and became sold proprietor. Mr. L. is a good 
illustration of what industry and fair and honorable dealing can accom- 
plish. He was married in October, 1878, to Miss L. Nagel, a resident of 
Nodaway County, but born in Germany. They have two children, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 797 

Charles Frederick and Edmond. Mr. L. is a member of Nodaway 
Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Knights of Pythias, and of the Maryville 
Encampment, I. O. O. F. 

THOMAS LOOKER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 11, was born April 21, 1837, in Fairfield 
County, Ohio. His father, James W. Looker, was a native of Virginia. 
His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Sophia Sprinkler, was also 
born in Virginia. Thomas was brought up in Fairfield County, Ohio, 
on a farm, and received a common school education. In the fall of 
1854 he accompanied his parents to Andrew County, Missouri, and lived 
there until 1863, when he came to Nodaway County and rented a farm 
on White Cloud Creek. He purchused his present farm in the fall of 
1864, it then having some little improvement upon it. Since that time 
he has been an active worker in forwarding the interests of Nodaway 
County. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, and 
at the close of that struggle he again turned his attention to farming. 
His present landed estate comprises 120 acres of well improved land, 
upon which is a good residence, and one of the finest orchards, of some 
200 bearing trees, in the county. His farm is well watered and well 
adapted to stock raising. Politically he is an Independent Democrat. 
Mr. Looker was married November 20, 1859, to Miss Catherine Taylor, 
a native of Illinois. There are two children living : James K., born 
December 13, i860, and Sarah E., born January 28, 1868, a bright young 
lady, who acts the part of housekeeper for her father. 

HOWARD McCOMMON, 

stock dealer, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 
21, 1848. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth McCommon, were both 
natives of Pennsylvania. Howard was brought up at his birthplace on a 
farm, and received a common school education. In February, 1868, he 
came west and settled in the southern part of Nodaway County, on the 
old Sixteen Mile or Half-way House, between Maryville and Savannah. 
There he remained a short time, when he came to Maryville in the spring 
of 1869 and has made this his home since. He has improved several 
farms in the neighborhood. He was also in the lumber business one year 
with Mr. Williams, under the firm name of Williams, McCommon & Co. 
Mr. McC. has been in the stock business more or less since he resided 
here, and at present gives his attention principally to that occupation. 
He is the owner of a residence in this city. He is a member of White 
Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., of Maryville. He was married Octo- 
ber 16, 1876, to Miss Laura Jester, daughter of S.- M. Jester, of Saline 



798 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

County, Missouri. She was born in Maryville, Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, March 14, 1850. They have one child, Frank H., born May 22, 
1S7S. Mrs. McCommon is a member of the Christian Church, of Mary- 
ville. 

ABINAH W. McGINNIS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born in Fayette County, Penn- 
sylvania, September 5, 1823. His father, George McGinnis, was a boats- 
man, and was also a native of that county. His mother was born in 
New Jersey. Young McGinnis attended the common schools, and was 
brought up in his native count}-, principally following the occupation of 
his father. He commenced work for himself in 1843, and, on becoming 
of age, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He removed 
to Muskingum County, Ohio, and then to Green County, Indiana, in 
1845, and, in May, 1858, through Iowa to Missouri, locating in this 
count) in the spring of 1859. He purchased a farm, and at once com- 
menced its improvement, and is now the owner of 318 acres, well 
improved. Mr. McG. is much interested in the raising of stock, and 
upon his farm are some good grades. There is also an orchard, con- 
taining the usual amount of small fruit. During the war he served in the 
Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has served as school director for eight 
years. He has been, twice married. First, in Ohio, February 8, 1844 ; 
this wife died November 19, 1864, leaving nine children, five of whom 
are living : James M., born December 16, 1847; Mary E. (now Mrs. Jacob 
Ashford), born September 19, 1849; Abinah W., born April 19, 1854; 
William C, born December 14, 1858, and Daniel D., born April 25, 1861. 
His second marriage occurred March 27, 1866, when Miss Nancy A. 
Graham became his wife. There are five children by this union : Myra, 
born April 16, 1868 ; Dennis H., born September 5, 1870 ; Maria, born 
February 1, 1872 ; Milda C, born April 17, 1S74, and Jonathan D., born 
December 15, 1879. Politically Mr. McG. is a Greenbacker. He was 
brought up religiously in the Methodist Episcopal faith. 

PATRICK McNELLIS, 

proprietor of billiard room, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on 
tlu- 25th da)- of September, 1845. His youth was spent in his native 
country. In 1866, he emigrated to the United States and settled in the 
coal regions of Pennsylvania, and for two years was engaged in mining. 
In 1872,11c came to Maryville and engaged in his present business. He 
was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Doogan. The)' have four children : 
James, Mar)- Ellen, Sarah and Annie. One son, Barney, is deceased. 



Pi I] K T< iWNSHIP: 799 

AUGUSTUS F. MALOTT, 

blacksmith. He is a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born Jan- 
uary 29, 1844. At the age of five years he emigrated with the family to 
Marion County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and was edu- 
cated. He attended college at Merom, Sullivan County, Indiana, for two 
years. In 1S61, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company 
I, Twelfth Indiana Regiment, serving seven and a-half months. After 
obtaining his discharge from that regiment he re-enlisted in Company I, 
One Hundred and First Indiana Volunteers, and served till the close of 
the war, having participated in the well known battles of Crab Orchard, 
Chickamauga, siege of Atlanta, Georgia, Jonesboro, and was with Sher- 
man in his famous march to the sea. At the close of the war Mr. M. 
returned home, where he remained till 1866, then moving to Pontiac, 
Illinois, resided there, following blacksmithing for six years. After 
which, he removed to Rloomington, Illinois, and was engaged in his 
trade in that city and vicinity till [878. At that period he emigrated to 
Hopkins, Missouri, and after one and a-half years, located in this city, 
where he has since resided. He was married January 24, 1878, to Miss 
Ida Jenaway, a native of Illinois. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., 
No. 164, of Hopkins, Missouri. That Mr. Malott is unquestionably a 
thorough master of his tralle" is conceded by all, and his large patronage 
onlv sfives further evidence of his mechanical skill. 



v S' 



GEORGE W. MARTIN, 

editor in chief, and one of the publishers and proprietors of the Noda- 
way Democrat, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1843. His 
father, Wanick Martin, who was a native of Ohio, was by profession a 
teacher and minister of the gospel. He was also for a considerable 
period successfully engaged in the banking business. His mother's 
maiden name was Rachel Harbaugh. She was also a native of Ohio. 
Young George spent the first six years of his life in his native state, 
about the end of which period, he moved with his parents to New- 
Orleans, Louisiana, where he received the rudiments of his literary 
education. In 1859, he left his southern home, and returning north- 
ward, entered Henry and Eureka College, Illinois, where he completed 
his literary and scientific education, which latter included a competent 
knowledge of civil engineering. He subsequently spent five years on 
the western plains, a portion of which time he employed in the avoca- 
tion of his profession of civil engineer. In 187 1, he settled in the city 
of Maryville, in Nodaway County, where, during the ensuing period of 
three years he was successfully engaged in the insurance business. In 
1874, he became connected with the Nodaway Democrat, of which he 



800 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

is now (1882), and has been for some years past, in partnership with 
James Todd, Esq., a proprietor and publisher, as well as its managing 
editor. His bold and uncompromising avowal of the principles of 
which the Democrat has long been the exponent in this county, no less 
than his independence of thought and expression in all matters per- 
taining to questions of public interest, combined with the general excel- 
lence of the Democrat as a newspaper, has won for George W. Martin, 
no less than for his able associate, James Todd, a reputation for ability 
in journalism which few similar enterprises in a corresponding period of 
time in this state have achieved for their originators. Mr. Martin was 
married in 1873, to Miss Mary Turner, a native of South Bend, Indiana. 
They have three children : Clarence, Flora, and Henry. 

A. K. MARTIN, 

was born in Connelsburg, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of 
December, 1817. His father, Alexander Martin, was a native of Ireland, 
and a contractor by occupation. The maiden name of his mother was 
Mary A. McCorcan, and she was born in Donegal, Ireland. Alexander 
accompanied his parents to Knox County, Ohio, where he was reared 
and received a common school education. When nineteen years of age 
he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, working for the small 
compensation of $4.00 per month for some two years. In the spring of 
1839 he emigrated to Logan County, Illinois, where he was engaged in 
contracting, building, etc., and remained there until 1865, when he moved 
west and settled in Andrew County, Missouri. There he improved one 
of the finest farms in the county, but sold out in the fall of 1875, coming 
to Nodaway County in the spring ot 1876. He then settled in Mary- 
ville, and has now retired from active business life. He takes a deep 
interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the school 
board ever since he resided here, and has also been a member of the 
town council. Politically he is a Republican. He took a trip across the 
plains to California in 1850, spent one year on the coast and returned 
by the Isthmus. Mr. Martin was married in Logan County, Illinois, on 
the 28th of January, 1841 to Miss M. Hablit, a native of Greene County, 
Ohio, born January 10, 1826. They have had ten children, five of whom 
are now living : Mary P., born April 8, 1842, (now Mrs. Henry Ogle, of 
Andrew County); Catherine A., born November 15, 1848, (now Mrs. M. 
K. Hocker, of Colorado); Lodema T., born September 28, 1850, (now 
Mrs. Elias McAllister, of Nodaway County); Flora E., born January 15, 
1855, (now Mrs. J. J. Beam, of Nodaway County); and Nellie, born 
December 10, 1869. William, James L., Angeline, John H. and Sarah B. 
are deceased. Mrs. B. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 8oi 

ABRAHAM MERRILL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Wolcott, Wayne County, 
New York, April 3, 1842, and was the son of Ripley and Maria (Valan- 
stine) Merrill, both natives of New York. When six years of age he 
accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared and edu- 
cated, there remaining until the breaking out of the war. In August 
1862 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and 
served about three years, holding the position of corporal. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Brinkwood, Tennessee, where the regiment was 
captured and taken to Libby prison, there being confined for sixty days. 
At the end of this time they were paroled and then joined the main 
army at St. Louis, next going to Tennessee. Mr. M. was under General 
Sherman at the battles of Resaca, Burnt Hickory, New Hope Church, 
Rocky Force Ridge, and siege of Atlanta, then through to the sea, par- 
ticipating in the battles of Averysboro and Goldsboro, North Carolina. 
After Johnston's surrender he went through to Washington and partici- 
pated in the grand review. Upon being mustered out of the United 
States service he returned to Milwaukee and was mustered out of the 
state service. In the fall of 1867 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
where he now owns 120 acres of well improved and stocked land. He 
has been school director and road overseer of his district. Mr. Merrill 
was married February 11, 1869, to Sarah E. Semans, a daughter of C. N. 
Semans, of New York. They have five children: Alice, born Novem- 
ber 1, 1870; Carrie, born December 1, 1871; Cora, born June 23, 1875; 
Charles N., born December 24, 1877; Edward L., born September 5, 
1881. Politically he is a Republican. 

JOHN S. MILLER, 

county clerk. This efficient official and popular citizen is a native of 
Rockbridge County, Virginia, and was born March 8, 1845. When 
twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Edwards County, 
Illinois, where his lather, Robert M., engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
In 1862 the family emigrated to Missouri, locating in Gentry (now 
Worth) County, and here John S. resided until 1862, when he tendered 
his services to the Union cause, enlisting in Company G, Fourth Mis- 
souri State Militia, Cavalry. He participated in many of the stirring 
engagements in Missouri, and was severely wounded at the battle of the 
Big Blue, in Jackson County. He was honorably discharged at the 
expiration of three years. Returning home, he soon after came to Nod- 
away County and embarked in mercantile pursuits at Guilford, continu- 
ing eight years, when he removed to Barnard, and for five years was 
identified with the business interests of that town. In 1878 he was the 



802 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Republican candidate for and elected to the important office which he 
now holds. Mr. Miller is of emphatic and decided character, untar- 
nished principle, and of strict fidelity to the public interests, his con- 
stituents and his party. He was married in 1869 to Miss Catherine 
Graves, of Nodaway County. They have five children : Martha E., 
Henry C, Arthur, Mary and Catherine. He is a Master Mason. 

JOHN W. MILLER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 20, was born in Granby, Oswego County r 
Illinois, on the 21st of September, 1826. His father, Henry C. Miller, a 
farmer by occupation, was a native of Onondaga County, New York, 
and his mother, formerly Hannah A. Scott, of Connecticut. John passed 
his early days on the home farm and attended the common schools. 
While young he commenced to learn the cooper's trade of his father, 
which he followed in all for about seventeen years. In 1849 he left 
home and started out in life for himself, first purchasing a farm, on which 
he settled and lived for some time. He then moved to the city of 
Oswego, from there to Morristown and finally returned to his birth 
place, where he remained about two years. Mr. M. was next located in 
Piano, Kendall County, Illinois, for twelve years engaged in working at 
his trade most of the time, and while in that place served as an alder- 
man. The last four years of his residence there he carried on a lumber 
trade. Upon leaving, he moved to Tampico, Whiteside County, and for 
eight years was occupied in tilling the soil, after which, in March, 1878, 
he came to Missouri and settled where he now resides, purchasing 16a 
acres of land. This he has improved, and upon it is a small orchard 
and a residence situated one half mile south of the town corporation. 
Politically he is a Republican. He belongs to the M. E. Church of 
Maryville. Mr. Miller was married November 15, 1849, to Miss Harriet 
L. Stephens, daughter of David Stephens, a native of New York. They 
have three children : Ellen, born November 8, 1852, (now Mrs. Edwin 
Meghell); Rhoda, born April 20, 1836; Frank, born July 31, 1868. Mr. 
Miller's brother, T. J. Miller, was born in Oswego County, New York, 
February 7, 1831. He was brought up on a farm, and in August, 1850, 
was married to Miss Betsey A. Rice. In the fall of 1868 they moved to 
Illinois, and in September, 1877, came to Missouri, where Mr. M. resided 
until November 19, 1881, when he died, leaving two children : Fred., 
born March, 1857, and Mattie, born in July, 1869. He was an honored 
settler of this vicinity, and by his death Nodaway County lost a most 
respected citizen. 

BERNARD MORAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 24, was born in the State of Connecticut, 
on the 26th of December, 1847, and is of Irish descent, his parents. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 803 

Bryan and Bridget (Hughes) Moran, having been born in Ireland. When 
he was seven years of age, young Moran accompanied the family to 
Greenlake County, Wisconsin, and there he was brought up on a farm 
and attended the common schools. He gave considerable attention to 
copper mining and the lumber business, and continued to reside in that 
vicinity until 1865, when he took up his residence in Missouri. In July, 
1865, he located in this county, where, in company with his father, he 
owns 160 acres of land, upon which is some graded stock, and an orchard 
of about 300 apple trees. Mr. Bryan Moran was also an early settler 
here. After leaving Ireland he immigrated to the United States, and 
landed at New York. Since becoming a citizen of Nodaway County, 
the subject of this sketch has made some three trips to his old location 
in Wisconsin. Mr. M. was married October 16, 1877, to Miss Laura E. 
Bigot, daughter of Edward G. Bigot, a native of Kentucky. They have 
one child, Martin Edward, born June 11, 1879. He has held the office 
of road overseer. He is Democratic in politics, and belongs to the 
Catholic Church. 

JUDGE STEPHEN MOREHOUSE, 

public administrator, is one who has figured prominently in the early 
development of Nodaway County, and has been closely identified with 
its progress for nearly a quarter of a century. He is a native of New 
Jersey, and was born February 11, 1813. His father, Stephen, was also 
a .native of New Jersey. When the subject of this sketch was in his 
eighth year, the family removed to Ohio, locating in Delaware County, 
where he was educated and reared to manhood. The lather being a 
farmer, Stephen Jr. spent his youthful days in tilling the soil. In 1834, 
Miss Hariet Wood became his wife. He resided in the Buckeye State 
until the spring of 1856, when, with his family, he came to Missouri, and 
settled in Nodaway County, ten miles north of Maryville. Here he 
entered half a section of land, and was among the first farm openers in 
that portion of the county, there being but two residents between his 
place and Maryville, which, at that time, was a diminutive cross road 
town. He was recognized among the most substantial and progressive 
agriculturists, until about seven years ago, when he removed to Mary- 
ville. Mr. Morehouse, during his long residence in the county, has 
held many positions of trust and responsibility. He was one of the 
early county judges, being elected in 1858. For a number of years he 
served as justice of the peace. In 1874, he was elected probate judge, 
the duties of which office he discharged one term, and at present he 
holds the office of public administrator. In every office which he has 
held, Judge Morehouse has been found to be equal to all emergencies, 
discharging his obligations with the utmost fidelity. He is character- 
ized for his numerous sterling qualities, and no man in the county has 



804 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

more friends than he. His family consists of eight children living : 
A. P., Francis, Wellington, Stephen, Alvina, Ann, Polly and Rose. Belle. 

ALBERT P. MOREHOUSE. 

Among the active business men of Maryville, no one is deserving of 
more honorable mention than A. P. Morehouse. He was born July II, 
1835, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is the son of Stephen Morehouse, a 
native of Newark County, New Jersey. His mother's maiden name was 
Harriet Wood, a native of New York and a daughter of Russell Wood, 
who settled in Delaware County Ohio, at an early day. Albert's early 
life was that of a farmer boy. His educational advantages were good 
and well improved, and at the age of eighteen he began to teach school 
in his native county, and in [856 accompanied his father to Missouri. 
Here he continued teaching and employed his spare time in studying 
law. In i860 he was admitted to the bar and the same year entered 
upon the practice of his profession in Montgomery County, Iowa. In 
1861 he was commissioned first lieutenant of Colonel Kimball's regiment 
of enrolled militia, and held the office six months. In 1862 he com- 
menced the practice of law in Maryville in company with Colonel Amos 
Graham, this relation continuing until the death of Mr. Graham in 1865. 
In 1871 Mr. Morehouse relinquished active practice and gave his entire 
attention to real estate, and at the present time is the senior member of 
the firm of Morehouse & Sisson. The firm have as complete abstract 
books as are to be found in Northwest Missouri. In 1872 Mr. M. was a 
delegate to the Baltimore convention, and in 1876 to the St. Louis con- 
vention. In the fall of 1876 he was elected to represent his district in 
the state legislature, and made a dilligent and faithful representative. 
He was married in 1865 to Miss Mattie McFadden, of Lexington, Mis- 
souri. Mr. M. is a good financier, a man of progressive ideas, and lib- 
eral in devising for the interest of the community in which he lives. He 
has the confidence and respect of those with whom he comes into busi- 
ness relations, is wide awake to all matters of public concern, and has 
done much to develop the trade of his town and county. He is in the 
prime of manhood, full of life and business energy. 

JOSEPH B. MORRISON, M. D., 

is a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was born January 18, 
1835. His father, Alexander W. Morrison, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and a prominent farmer of the county. *His mother's maiden name was 
Margaret M. Calmant, both being of Scotch ancestry. The subject of 
this memoir was educated at private schools — Unionville Academy, 
Chester Count)-, Pennsylvania, Newark Academy, Delaware, and Coates- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 805 

ville Academy, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. James P. Andrews, of Oak Hill, Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, and attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical 
College, from which institution he was graduated March 9, 1861. He 
began practicing medicine in his native county, and in June, 1862, after 
a thorough examination, he was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon in 
the United States army, and was stationed at Columbian College Hos- 
pital at Washington. He was afterwards commissioned Assistant Sur- 
geon of United States Volunteers, and in June, of 1863, was promoted 
by President Lincoln, and was sent by the medical director to Folly 
Island, near Charleston, and was made Surgeon-in-Chief of Vogdes' 
division. The following April he came up to Virginia with the division, 
and was in the Army of the James until the close of the war. He was 
at Cold Harbor with the Eighteenth Corps, and was in front of Peters- 
burg and at the battle of Fort Harrison, September 29, 1864, and 
was again at Petersburg at the time of its capture. He was Med- 
ical Director of the Twenty-fourth Corps, and continued in this posi- 
tion until the corps was disbanded, in July, 1865. Dr. Morrison was 
then appointed Surgeon-in-Chief of the District of Southwest Vir- 
ginia, where he remained until February 2, 1866, when he was honor- 
ably discharged. After the war he located in New York City, and in 
1873 he settled in Maryville, where he has followed his chosen avocation, 
with a good degree of success. He is a close student, and keeps thor- 
oughly posted in matters pertaining to his profession, as well as the 
current topics of the day, and as a medical practitioner ranks with the 
foremost in Northwestern Missouri. Politically he is a Republican, and 
in his religious preferences he is a Presbyterian, the faith of his father. 
He is a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States, also a Royal 
Arch Mason, and is a member of St. Joseph Commandery, Nodaway 
Chapter and Nodaway Lodge. Dr. Morrison was married July 25, 1876, 
to Miss Belle Panky, a native of Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, a 
daughter of Thomas A. Pankey. They have one daughter, Grace L., and 
a son, Paul. 

D. MORRILL, 

of the Marwille Creamery, is a native of Branch County, Michigan, and 
was born August 31, 1854. He was raised on a farm and lived at his 
birthplace until ten years of age, and for eight years resided in different 
parts of the state. In 1872 he came to Missouri, and was engaged in 
various avocations. In June, 1881, he engaged in his present business, 
and it is an industry of great importance to the farmers throughout the 
county, netting them a larger profit in selling their cream than could 
possibly be realized in making butter themselves. J. J. Smith and R. 
N. Atmore are associated with him in the business. 



8o6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

M. MOSS, 

proprietor of confectionery and 'restaurant, is a native of Ripley County, 
Indiana, and was born February 10, 185 r. At the age of two and one- 
half years he was taken by the family to Muscatine County, Iowa, where 
he was reared to manhood as a farmer, receiving his education in the 
common schools of that county. In 1879 he removed to this county 
and engaged in the milling business, taking charge of the Bridgewater 
Mill, which he successfully managed for ten months. He then conducted 
the Barnard Mills, at Barnard, this county, and after doing business 
there a short time, he came to this city. September 4, 188 1, he com- 
menced in the occupation which he is now so successfully following, 
purchasing the stock of Mr. Hobson. Since that time he has been 
doing a profitable business, and being well fitted for the position, is 
liberally patronized by the citizens of Maryville. Mr. Moss was married 
in 1871 to Miss Jennie Hendershot, a native of Pennsylvania. They 
have three children : Lucy H., EsteUa P., and Osmar E. He is a mem- 
ber of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F. of this city, and also a 
member of the A. O. U. W. 

JOHN MUNN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, was born on a farm in Wayne County, 
Ohio, March 7, 1825. His parents, James and Eliza (Bates) Munn, were 
both natives of Pennsylvania. John was brought up on a farm at his 
birthplace, and there attended school. In the fall of 1839, he accompa- 
nied the family to the Platte Purchase, settling in what is now Platte 
County, and there remained until 1846, when he went to St. Louis. He 
began work at ship carpentering, and after a lapse of four years removed 
to Illinois, and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1852, becoming 
excited with the stories of gold seekers, he determined to go to the Cal- 
ifornia coast. In February, he started by way of the Isthmus, and was 
six months on the voyage. The vessel first visited the Sandwich Islands, 
and upon arriving in the New Eldorado, Mr. Munn began gold mining. 
For six years he continued this occupation, and in i860, returned to 
Illinois, bought some stock, and drove it across the plains. An interest- 
ing fact in connection with his residence in California, was the killing of 
a grizzly bear by himself, in 1853. This animal weighed 700 pounds 
when dressed. In the fall of 1868, he came to Nodaway Count)', and 
settled where he now resides. He owns 280 acres of well watered and 
stocked land, upon which is a young orchard of 125 trees. Mr. M. at 
present holds the position of school director. He was inarried March 
22, 1870, to Miss Margaret Swank, daughter of Michael and Nancy 
Swank. They have four children: Eliza, born March 8, 1871 ; Mary, 
born June 14, 1872 ; David, born March 14, 1876, and Sarah, born July 
14, 1878. He is politically a Democrat. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 807 

JOHN D. MUSTAIN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born in McDonough Count}-, 
Illinois, January 21, 1843. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born 
in Virginia, while his mother, formerly Jane Woodside, was a Tenn- 
•esseean by birth. John passed his youth on a farm in McDonough 
County, attending for some time the common schools. When twenty- 
one years of age he commenced in business life for himself, with but $15 
in money. In 18/8 he came to Missouri, and on the 17th of September 
located in Nodaway County. The land which he purchased was unim- 
proved prairie, and there was not a residence in sight. By energy and 
toil he has accumulated 126 acres, well improved and stocked, he being 
largely interested in stock raising. The town of Wilcox is situated 
three-quarters of a mile from his place. He has held the office of school 
director and clerk of the Wilcox district. Mr. Mustain was married 
December 8, 1864, to Miss Mary A. Arnolt, daughter of John Arnolt, a 
native of Scotland. They have four children : Lawrence E., born Sep- 
tember 3, 1865; Luther A., born August 28, 1871 ; William A., born 
April 22, 1873, and Mary E., born April 26, 1878. Mr. M. is independent 
in his political views. He is a member of the Christian Church. 

DR. GEORGE NASH. 

Among the leading physicians and surgeons of Northwestern Missouri 
is Dr. George Nash, who was born in Hancock County, Indiana, Febru- 
ary 1, 1849. His father, George B. Nash, was a native of Jefferson 
County, Kentucky. The maiden name of his mother was Miss Elizabeth 
McDaniel, and she was born in Randolph County, North Carolina. 
George accompanied his parents to Prairie City, McDonough County, 
Illinois, in 1856, and there he received a primary education. In 1867, he 
•emigrated west and settled in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was 
engaged in the drug business for some three years, there also studying 
medicine. In the winter of 1877 he entered the Hospital Medical Col- 
lege of St. Joseph, and attended his first course of lectures. He gradu- 
ated from this institution on the 28th of February, 1879. .During the 
last two years he filled the position of resident physician. He came to 
Maryville in the spring of 1879, and has obtained a large and lucrative 
practice. Besides having excellent qualities as a physician he is prompt 
in attention to calls, and his polished manners and cheerful countenance 
make him a welcome visitor to the afflicted. He makes a specialty of 
surgery, and in this line is very successful. To prosecute his studies 
with greater facility he anticipates attending the eastern colleges and 
thereby becoming even more thoroughly versed in his profession. Dr. 
Nash is a member of Nodaway Lodge No. 470, A. F. and A. M., also of 



808 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

the District Medical Society of Northwestern Missouri. He was mar- 
ried on the 13th of November, 1870, to Miss Mary Houston, daughter of 
Silas E. Houston, of Gentry County, Missouri. She was born in Andrew 
County, Missouri, October 7, 1855. She frequently assists her husband 
in difficult surgical operations, displaying great courage. They are 
active members of the Baptist Church. 

JAMES B. NEWMAN, 

of the firm of Lane & Newman, attorneys, is foremost among the attor- 
neys who stand prominent in Northwest Missouri. He is a native of 
Virginia, and was born in Orange County, May 30, 1852. His father, 
J. F. Newman, and his mother, formerly A. M. Blakey, were natives of 
Virginia, and still reside on the old homestead, near Gordonsville, 
Orange County. J. B. was educated in Locust Dale School, in Madison 
County, Virginia, after which he turned his attention to teaching, pur- 
suing that profession in Madison County, Va., Jefferson County, Ky., and 
Izard and Jackson Counties, Arkansas. He was engaged in the study of 
law during his leisure hours, while teaching. In 1876-7, he studied 
under Dr. John B. Minor, of the University of Virginia. While teach- 
ing in Jacksonport, Ark., he read law, alternately in the offices of Messrs. 
Jones & Donnell and L. C. Gause, M. C, and a prominent member of 
the bar in that district. He was licensed to practice in March, 1877, 
and, after his admission to the bar, he associated himself with Hon. W. 
F. Henderson, then Attorney General of Arkansas, and was prominently 
known as a practitioner in Jackson and adjoining counties until 1879,. 
when he came to Missouri, locating in Maryville. Mr. Newman is a 
man of great ability, and has proved himself a safe counselor and an 
able advocate. He is possessed of an affable, companionable disposi- 
tion, and commands, in a large degree, the respect of his fellow citizens. 
He married, at Jacksonport, Arkansas, Miss Hattie Jones, a native of 
that state. They have one daughter, Lucile. He is a Royal Arch 
Mason, having joined the Masonic order in 1873, at Gordonsville, Vir- 
ginia. In 1876, he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, in Jacksonport, Arkansas. 

HENRY NIENHUSER, 

merchant, Wilcox, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and was born April 
13, 1851, being a son of Henry and Mary (Branthorst) Nienhuser, who 
were natives of Hanover (now Prussia), Germany. They were married 
and came to America, going to St. Louis in 185 1, but soon moved to 
Washington County, Illinois, and settled on a farm. Here the father 
died in 1854. The mother subsequently was married the second time. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 809 

Henry spent his boyhood days and learned the blacksmith trade in 
Washington County, Illinois. He was married March 19, 1874, to Miss 
W. Hidenrighe, a native of Suthamman, Prussia, born February 18, 1856, 
She is a daughter of Frederick and Caroline (Bradmear) Hidenrighe, 
who were born in Germany. After their marriage they came to Amer- 
ica in 1 87 1. Losing his health, Mr. N. was obliged to give up the busi- 
ness of blacksmithing. In 1881 he came to Wilcox and purchased the 
entire stock of goods from Mr. Hamphill, and is now doing a successful 
business. Mr. and Mrs. Nienhuser have a family of four children : 
Annie M., John H., Mary L., and Wilhelmenia B. He and his wife are 
members of the church. 

P. G. NEISANDORFER, 

proprietor of Mount Joe Brewery, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and 
was born March 11, 1854. His father died while he was young, and his 
mother married a second time, George Brehn, a noted brewer of Balti- 
more, and with whom the subject of this sketch learned his business. In 
1870 he went to Europe and spent four years, and then returned home, 
and the following eighteen months he superintended the brewery. 
After residing in and traveling over different sections of the country, he 
came to Maryville in 1877 and purchased the brewery built by William; 
Sutter in 1867. This building was burned in 1878, involving a. serious 
loss, but with the energy characteristic of the man he rebuilt in 1879 
with a capacity of twenty-five barrels per day and was doing a prosper- 
ous business until December 1881 when his building was again destroyed 
by fire, involving a greater loss than in 1878. Mr. N. is not a man to 
be discouraged by troubles, however serious, and we predict for him a 
prosperous future. He was married in February, 1877, to Miss Josephine 
Albenesius, of St. Louis. 

J. M. NORTHCUTT, 

proprietor of restaurant and billiard room, was born in Bourbon Count} - , 
Kentucky, April 7, 1842. His father, Benjamin Northcutt, was a native 
of Kentucky. In 1844, he came to Missouri and settled in St. Joseph. 
J. M. was reared in Buchanan County, and learned the drug business. 
In 1870, he came to Maryville and established his present business, in 
which he has been very successful. His father was a miller, and built 
the first mill of any importance in St. Joseph. He is at the present time 
a resident of Blue Rapids, Kansas. Mr. Northcutt was married in April,. 
1872, to Miss Annie Jackson, of Macon, Missouri. They have five chil- 
dren : Willie, Mary, Napoleon, Leona, and Joseph, Jr. 



8 10 BIOGRAPHICAL. * 

GEORGE W. NULL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 2, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Sep- 
tember i/, 1842. His father, George Null, was a native of Pennsylvania, 
and his mother, whose maiden name was Helen Wiseman, was a Vir- 
ginian by birth. The father died when George was a mere child, and he 
accompanied his mother to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the fall of 1852. 
The) r came overland and settled in Polk Township. The county was 
almost a wilderness and abounded in game. It was on this frontier that 
George was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving the benefits of a 
common school education. He was thrown upon his own resources at 
the age of fourteen, his capital consisting only of his willing hands and 
brave heart. Being industrious and energetic, he soon found something 
to do. When the war broke out he was among the first to respond to 
the call of his country. On the 9th of July, 1S61, he left for Omaha, 
Nebraska, where he enlisted in Company I, First Nebraska Infantry. 
Their first campaign was under John C. Fremont, guarding the Iron 
Mountain Railroad. He remained with this regiment till January, 1864, 
taking part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Siege of 
Corinth, and Cape Girardeau. In October, 1863, the regiment was 
mounted. His time of enlistment having expired, January 1, 1864, he 
re-enlisted in the First Nebraska Veteran Cavalry, and took an active 
part in the engagements of Arkansas. In July of the same year the 
regiment was called to the plains to suppress the Indians, in which they 
had many difficulties. In January, 1866, Mr. N. was discharged on 
account of disability, since which time he has given his attention to 
agricultural pursuits in Nodaway County, having a landed estate of 282 
acres within six miles of Maryville, on which is situated a good residence 
and other improvements. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He 
was married July 27, 1864, while home on a furlough, to Miss Lydia J. 
Ware, who was born August 10, 1845, in Andrew County, Missouri. She 
is a daughter of Jehu Ware, and was principally reared in Nodaway 
County. They have eight children living : Mary H., born November 
7, 1866 ; Orlin G., born May 23, 1868 ; Laura, born April 24, 1870 ; Wil- 
ber F., born October 3, 1871 ; Charles W., born August 11, 1873 ! Sarah 
L., born January 17, 1876; Anna A., born December 16, 1877, and 
George H., born May. 5, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. N. are active members of 
the M. E. Church. 

JOHN O'CONNOR, 

■dealer in agricultural implements, wagons and farm machinery, one of 
Maryville's leading business men, is a native of Count}' Kerry, Ireland, 
and is the son of Michael O'Connor and Mary nee Shay. He was born 
on the 4th day of May, 1845, and emigrated to America with his mother 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 8ll 

in 1848, his father having preceded them the year previous. The family 
first settled in Massachusetts, and after remaining two years removed to 
Virginia, where they lived five years, and in 1856 changed their resi- 
dence to Wisconsin. There the subject ot this sketch remained until 
the breaking out of the war. In response to the calls for troops to 
assist in putting down the rebellion in the south, he enlisted in August, 
1861, in the Twelfth Wisconsin Infantry, and for meritorious services was 
promoted and commissioned second lieutenant. He remained in the 
service four years and participated in some of the most severe engage- 
ments of the campaign, among them the siege of Vicksburg and battle 
of Atlanta. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and partici- 
pated in the grand review at Washington. After he was mustered out 
he returned to his home and engaged in the agricultural implement bus- 
iness. In 187 1 he came to Missouri, and to Nodaway County in 1875, 
and established his present business. He is recognized as an upright, 
straightforward business man, and by his fair and honorable dealing has 
secured a large patronage and richly merits the esteem in which he is 
held in the community. He has shown a commendable public spirited- 
ness, and everything calculated to permanently benefit the city receives 
his support. He has served the city efficiently as a member of its coun- 
cil for two years. He was married to Miss Margaret Hyland, Novem- 
ber 19, 1869. She was born in New York City. Their family consists 
of five children: Anna E., born October 2, 1870; James Charles, Octo- 
ber 6, 1872; Margaret N., November 1, 1874; John, May 10, 1877; Patri- 
cia L., October 4, 1879. Mr. O'Connor is one of the organizers of the 
I. A. C. B. Society of Maryville, and holds the office of president. 

JAMES S. ONSTOT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Garrett County, Ken- 
tucky, December 24, 1837, and is the son of Levi and Judith (Ball) 
Onstot, both Kentuckians by birth. The former was born in the year 
1808. In 1844 James accompanied his parents to Buchanan County, 
Missouri, where his youth was passed in helping to clear a farm. His 
limited education was obtained in the common schools. He followed 
agricultural pursuits until August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private 
in Company H, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and was mustered out in 
June, 1865. He filled various positions until he was promoted first lieu- 
tenant, and participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, Helena, 
Duvall's Bluff, and many minor engagements. At the close of the war 
he returned to Buchanan Count)', Missouri, where he remained engaged 
in tilling the soil till he came to this count)' in 1876. The land which 
he then purchased was unimproved, but he now owns ninety acres, 
mostly under cultivation, well stocked and watered. He has held the 



8 12 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

office of school director. Mr. Onstot was married October 15, 1873, to 
Lucretia J. Williams, daughter of Evan and Louisa Williams. They 
have five children : Floyd, born December 2, 1874 ; Levi, born July 2, 
1876 ; Robert H., born January 18, 1878 ; Edward, born August 1 
1880, and Charles, born May 14, 1881. Politically he is a Republican, 
and worships with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. 

W. C. OREAR, 

for twenty-seven years a resident of Nodaway County, was born Sep- 
tember 20, 1816, in Henry County, Virginia. His father, John Orear, 
was a native of Frederick County, Virginia. W. C. was reared until 
seventeen years of age in his native state, and then accompanied his 
parents to Ralls County, Missouri, settling on a farm. From there he 
went to Iowa, and for twelve years was engaged in farming and mining. 
He returned to Missouri, and lived in Carroll County for seven years, 
and in 1855, came to Nodaway County, locating three miles east of 
Maryville, on a farm. The following year he moved in town, and 
embarked in general merchandise, and continued in business Until 1870, 
when he sold out, and has since devoted himself to his real estate and 
other interests. He was married in 1844, to Miss Mary A. Wilcox, a 
native of New York. They have two children : Laura A. (now Mrs. 
Beale), and Elias D. 

JOSEPH T. PAOUIN, 

county surveyor, is a native of Virginia, and was born in Loudoun 
Count)', December 25, 1837. His father, Joseph, was a native of Old 
Virginia. His grand-father was a Frenchman, and came to America 
with General LaFayette, participating in the Revolutionary war. In 
1854 the subject of this memoir came to Missouri with his parents, locat- 
ing temporarily in Jackson County, and from there went to Platte 
County. He received the benefits of a common school education, and 
took a four year's course at St. Mary's School, near Montreal, Canada,' 
where he became proficient in civil engineering. In 1861 he went to 
Nebraska, following railroad surveying for a time, and was also asso- 
ciated with Captain Bryant on the topography of Western Nebraska. 
In 1868 he was elected county surveyor of Saline County, Nebraska. In 
1874 he came to Nodaway County, locating at Graham, and in 1876 was 
elected county surveyor, and again in 1880. Mr. Paquin is a thoroughly 
experienced civil engineer, and is very conversant with the topography 
of Nodaway County. To him we are indebted for much information 
pertaining to the physical features of the county. He was married in 
Platte County, Missouri, in i860, to Miss Barbara Staley. By this union 
they have three children : Joseph, William and Annie. He is a Master 
Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 813 

CAPTAIN LYMAN PARCHER, 

farmer, section 19. This popular citizen is a native of Ohio, and was 
born in Crawford County, January 18, 1835. His father, Samuel, was 
among the early settlers of Northeastern Ohio. Lyman was educated 
and reared in the Buckeye State. In 1856, he came to Iowa, remained 
a short time, returned to Ohio, and came to Iowa again in 1857. At the 
breaking out of the rebellion, he was among the first to tender his 
services to the Union cause, enlisting, in 1861, in the Fourth Iowa 
Infantry, as second lieutenant of Company H. He was severely 
wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, and, after recuperating in the hos- 
pital, secured a recruiting officer's commission, and organized Company 
E, of the One Hundred and First Ohio, and, as captain of this company, 
yet undrilled, participated at the engagements of Knob's Gap, Stone 
River, and other battles. In 1863, he was obliged to leave the service, 
on account of his wound, and, after convalescing, in 1864, he recruited 
Company B, of the One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio, and with 
them participated at the last battle of Nashville. He served until the 
close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. In 1866, in com- 
pany with others, Captain Parcher engaged in the manufacturing of 
wagon material at Bucyrus, Ohio. In this industry he continued until 
1868, when he sold out. In January, 1869, he was appointed mail agent 
on the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railroad, between Crestline and Chi- 
cago, which position he held until the spring of 187 1, when he resigned, 
and came to Iowa, locating in Adams County. There he resided until 
the spring of 1872, when he took up his abode where he now resides. 
His estate consists of ninety acres, adjoining the corporate limits of 
Maryville, on which is situated a residence, indicating comfort and pros- 
perity. He is also owner of valuable town property, besides land in 
Adams County, Iowa. The captain manifests a live interest in the 
progress of Nodaway County, and takes an active part in all enterprises 
that will further its developments. In 1878, he was elected to the office 
of justice of the peace. He is numbered among Nodaway's most sub- 
stantial men. In 1867, Miss Mary F. Tunison, a native of Springfield, 
Illinois, became his wife. They have five children by this union : Fred, 
Josephine, Charles L., Edmond K. and Jessie M. He is a Master Mason- 

L. W. PATTERSON, 

agent of the Wabash Railroad, Maryville, is a native of New York City, 
and was born August 17, 1834. He lived there until eighteen years of 
age, receiving the advantages of a good education. In 1853 he came to 
Illinois and was employed as a civil engineer, and was for some time on 
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and afterwards accepted the position 



8 14 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

of bookkeeper for the banking firm of J. H. Lucas & Co., in St. Louis.. 
In 1857 he was engaged in the pork packing business. In 1880 he came 
to Maryville in connection with the company with which he is now 
employed. He was married in 1869 to Miss Lizzie Hunt, of St. Louis. 
They have five children : Charles L., Bessie, Katie, Phebe and Mary. 

JAMES A. PEDIGO, 

section 34. The subject of this sketch is a native of Barren County, 
Kentucky, and was born February 24, 1842. At the age often years he 
emigrated with the family to Hendricks County, Indiana, where he was 
raised to manhood as a farmer, and received his education. In 1864, he 
removed to Missouri, and settled in this county. He has forty acres of 
land, above the average, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Pedigo 
has been twice married. First, to Miss Sarah Foster, a native of Indi- 
ana. They had two children : Olinda and Minerva J. Mrs. P.'s death 
occurred April 18, 1871. He was again married December 18, 1872, to 
Miss Jemima Jamieson, a native of Missouri. They have four children : 
James W., Oscar O., Alexander and John B. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. They are members of the Adventist Church. In 
1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-ninth Missouri Regiment, and 
served one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. 

GEORGE W. PENNY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born twelve miles west of Bal- 
timore, Maryland, on the 12th of July, 18 14. His parents, Alexander 
and Susan (Ford) Penny, who were both natives of Maryland, died 
while George was quite young, and he was thrown to some extent upon 
his own resources. He was reared at his birthplace, attending the com- 
mon schools, and about the year 1830 removed to Louisville, Kentucky. 
While in that city he learned the carpenter and joiners' trade with his 
brother, and after remaining for five years, he went to St. Louis, where 
he made his home for eighteen months. After living in Schuyler 
County, Illinois, for one year, he located in what is now Henderson 
County. There he was engaged in farming for thirty-five years. On the 
24th of January, 1871, he settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, and 
here he has since resided. There was not a particle of land improved 
in section 33, and for a man of his age to commence clearing and culti- 
vating a farm, was not an easy task. However, he did succeed in doing 
it, and now owns 160 acres, upon which is a residence built from mate- 
rial which was shipped by Mr. P. from Burlington, Iowa. An abund- 
ance of water and other facilities make it an excellent stock farm. His 
location is right at the head of Elkhorn Creek. While in Illinois he 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 8l 5 

filled the position of associate judge for four years, and justice of the 
peace for sixteen years. He served in the Black Hawk war, being a 
member of the First Battalion, Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
and took part in many battles, serving under General Whiteside. Mr. 
Penny is a member of the Masonic fraternity. On the 22d of Decem- 
ber, 1837, Miss P. Huston became his wife. She was the daughter of 
Walter Huston, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Their fam- 
ily consists of Walter H., born May 29, 1841 ; Virginia, born July 3, 
1843, (now Mrs. Hardisty); Archibald W., born November 12, 1848 ; 
William A., born March 12, 1853, and Nancy (now Mrs. Peter Hamill), 
born May 30, 1857. Mr. P. is an old Jeffersonian Democrat. He was 
raised in the Church of England. 

J. A. PEOPLES, 

editor of the Maryville Times, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
was born October 6, 1852, and is the son of John Peoples and Mary nee 
Bersford. His parents moved to Henderson County, Illinois, while he 
was young, and there he spent his boyhood days, attending school and 
working on his father's farm. He received the benefit of a good Eng- 
lish education. In 1878 he moved to Iowa, and in 1879 came to Mis- 
souri. In 1880 he edited and published the Barnard Times, which he 
continued until 1881, and then located in Maryville, where he has since 
been engaged in publishing the Maryville Times, satisfactorily. At first 
it was an independent paper, but it has since become an avowed advo- 
cate of Democratic principles, and it has recently been declared by the 
central committee of the party its official organ, and Mr. Peoples has 
reason to feel that his lot has been cast in a pleasant place, and that the 
result of his labors have been so successful. 

DR. S. N. PIKE 

is one who has become prominent in many states for the treatment of 
chronic diseases, cancers, etc. A number of cases which have been suc- 
cessfully treated by him might be mentioned in this connection if that 
should be necessary to prove his prominence as a specialist. He is a 
son of Samuel and Sarah (Nichols) Pike, who were both natives of New 
York. The Doctor is also a native of the same state, and was born 
March 12, 1817. He resided in Schuyler County till eleven years of 
age. His father being afflicted with a chronic disease, was at that time 
being treated by one Dr. Wodroth, an Indian physician of the Digger 
tribe, the medicine chief of the United States. When S. N. was eleven 
years of age he was chosen by the Indian chief to help hunt herbs, roots, 
etc., for medicine, after which he traveled for sixteen years in the wil- 



'8l6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

derness with that chief, thereby becoming acquainted with his mode of 
practice. During these long sixteen years he traveled over the southern 
states, also a number of the western states and territories, being for a 
while in California. He then located in Chemung County, New York, 
near the town of Elmira, where he now owns a fine farm, and has since 
considered that locality his home, yet he has been engaged in his pro- 
fession in different states and territories, also in Canada. He came to 
Missouri and in 1878 located in Maryville, where he has since resided. 
Here he has gained the friendship and confidence of many, and has 
relieved many suffering ones who are now enjoying life. He was married 
March, 1846, to Miss Catherine Debit, a lady of Holland ancestry. She 
was born in Pennsylvania, February 14, 1828, and died in September, 
1866, leaving a family of five children, Lorenzo, Hiram, Alonzo, Devilla 
.and James. The Doctor was again married March 18, 1877, to Miss 
Mollie Breeden who was born in Daviess County, Missouri, December 
22, 185.L She was reared in Clinton County. The Doctor is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. During the war he was surgeon in Chemung County 
for the government. 

THOMAS PHILLIPS, 

Coroner of Nodaway County. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
Monroe County, Indiana, where he was born December 22, 1822. He 
was there reared to manhood, and received his education, following 
farming as an occupation. In 1852, he removed to Henderson County, 
Illinois, and there remained twenty-two years, being an old settler of 
that county. He then came west, and settled in this city, and was 
engaged in the grocery business for three years, when he retired from 
active business life. In 1878, he was elected to the office of coroner, 
which position he has since continued to hold. While an incumbent of 
this office, he has held inquests in over twenty cases, besides attending 
to other duties of that office. His parents, Solomon and Rebecca (Booth) 
Phillips, were old pioneers of Indiana, his father being closely identified 
with the interests of Monroe Count}' from an early date. His death 
occurred July 9, 1849. Mr. Thomas Phillips and wife have had three 
children : Thomas M., Martha J. (deceased), and James D. They are 
members of the Christian Church. 

DAVID PHILLIPS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Trumbull Count)', Ohio, 
in December, 1835, and was the son of David and Mary A (Bates) Phil- 
lips, both natives of Ohio. David was brought up principally on a 
farm in Sandusky County, attending for a time the common schools. 
He learned the painter's trade, then the trade of carpentering, and fin- 



FOLK TOWNSHIP. 817 

ally the stone mason's trade. When nineteen years of age, he left home 
with fifty cents in his pocket and a suit of homespun clothes, first com- 
mencing work at thirteen dollars per month. He soon bought a piece 
of land, in partnership with his brother, and began its improvement, 
but afterwards was engaged in teaching, for two terms, in Ohio. Dur- 
ing the John Brown raid, he started for Kansas, and took up a claim, 
but, after remaining a short time, left and came to Missouri, having ten 
dollars in money. He settled near Cameron, and made that locality his 
"home for two years, working at teaching and various occupations, until he 
bad accumulated $250 in gold. Mr. Phillips next took a trip to Texas, 
over which state he traveled 300 miles on foot. Not being suited with the 
country or habits and customs of the people, he returned to Ohio, where 
he improved a farm. After his marriage he remained in that state for 
some time, and, in 1865, located in Michigan, from whence he returned to 
Ohio, and thence to Missouri, in the spring of 1867. He then became 
a citizen of Nodaway County, and now owns 200 acres of land, well 
improved, and making an excellent farm for stock purposes, having an 
abundance of running water. He also owns 280 acres of well cultivated 
Sand in Johnston County, Nebraska. He was formerly a member of the 
Bellgrove Grange ; has held the office of road overseer, and helped to 
locate all the roads in the vicinity of where he now resides. Mr. Phil- 
lips was married February 21, 1861, to Miss Sarah M. Battenfield, 
daughter of Solomon Battenfield, a native of Pennsylvania. They have 
five children : Ella (now Mrs. David Angell) born March 17, 1862 ; 
Wilburn, born December 5, 1865 ; Mattie, born February 14, 1871; Ada 
B., born September 27, 1875, and Rutherford B., born October 4, 1879. 
One, Ulysses, is deceased. Mr. P. is Republican in politics, and a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church. 

JOHN H. PHIPPS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born near Salem, Washington 
County, Indiana, December 14, 1838. His father, Jesse Phipps, a farmer 
by occupation, was born in Floyd County, Indiana, November n, 1810 
while his mother was aTennesseean bybirth. In 1840 John was taken by 
his parents to Adams County., Illinois, where he grew to manhood on a 
farm. May 24, 1861 , he enlisted in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois. Infan- 
try, and served for three years with the Army of the Cumberland. He 
was mustered out in June, 1864. His father was married April 15, 1830, 
to Miss Rhoda Crotts, and they have five children : Cornelius, born Feb- 
ruary 19, 183 1 ; William S., born October 30, 1832 ; Elijah J., born Octo- 
ber 22, 1834 ; John H., born December 14, 1838, and Logan S., born 
July 8, 1854. Mr. John Phipps and his brother, Logan S., are conducting 
the farm in partnership. It embraces 100 acres of improved land, with 



8l8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

an average amount of stock upon it. Logan was married June 10, 1877, 
to Miss A. Roberts, a native of Ohio. They have two children : -Clar- 
ence, born May 21, 1878, and Ezra, born November 7, 1879. The parents 
of these brothers are living with them, and though well advanced in 
years, are in the enjoyment of good health. 

L. S. PHILLIPS, 

freight agent of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company, at 
Wilcox, is a native of Lewis County, New York, and was born January 28, 

1842, being the son of Adam and Betsy (Sherman) Phillips. The former 
was a native of Orange County, New York, born in 1793, and the mother 
was born in Chatauqua County, New York, in 1804. Some time after 
their marriage they moved to Lewis County, New York, being pioneers 
of that county. Here the mother died, in December, 1866. Lyman S. 
spent his boyhood days and received a good education in his native 
county, and when at the age of nineteen years, he enlisted August 5, 
1862, as a private in Company I, Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, and 
was stationed at Fort Carroll, near Washington, District of Columbia, 
and Arlington Heights. In 1863 he was placed at Maryland Heights, 
near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and remained in service till July, 1865, 
when he was mustered out as second lieutenant of Company I. He was 
discharged at New York City, July 31, 1865. Returning to the old 
homestead he entered the employ of J. H. Sheldon, general merchant, 
at Martinsburg, New York, where he remained till the fall of 1865. He 
was then in the employ of Boyce & Co., at Lowville, of the same county, 
working at the harness trade. Mr. Phillips married May 15, 1867, Miss 
Lydia O. Peebles, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Allen) Peebles. 
She is a native of Lewis County, New York, and was born August 14, 

1843. Mr. P. opened a harness shop at Martinsburg in 1868, but was 
burned out in 1869, losing the entire stock. He again began business, 
and continued till September, 1879, when he moved to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, and entered the employ of the Wabash Railway as freight 
agent at Wilcox. He is also agent for N. J. Stratton, grain merchant, at 
Maryville, Missouri. He was postmaster at Wilcox from April, 1880, till 
January 25, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the M. E. Church. 
They have one child: Henrietta, born January 1, 1870. 

JAMES B. PRATHER 

is the son of Colonel Isaac N. Prather, one of the earliest and most 
respected .citizens of Nodaway County. He was a native of Kentucky, 
and was born in Mercer County, July 2, 1802. He married Miss Maria 
C. Prather, also a native of Kentucky. In 1841 they came to Nodaway 



POLK TOWNSHIP. S I 9 

County and settled in White Cloud Township, where he owned a large 
tract of land. He was prominently identified with the interests df 
the county from the time he came until his death, which occurred in 
September, 1859. James B., his son, was born in Mercer County, Ken- 
tucky, on the 6th day of April, 1834, and accompanied his parents to 
this county, where for over forty years he has made his home and been 
closely identified with the county's interest. In 1856, although only 
twenty-two years of age, he was elected sheriff of the county, and in 
1859 he was honored by promotion to the office of circuit clerk. In 
1866 he commenced his mercantile experience, and he and his partner 
were the first to engage exclusively in the drug trade in the city, and 
they have richly earned and merit the reputation they enjoy, of being 
the leading druggists in Northwestern Missouri. November 16, 1873, he 
led to the marriage altar Miss Emma Holt, a native of Nodaway County. 
By this union they have had three children, of whom twoare living,Ben- 
jamin V., aged six years ; Mary E., aged two years ; Basil Holt, deceased. 
Mr. Prather was one of the organizers of the Nodaway Valley Bank, 
and holds the position of president. He is greatly interested in fine 
stock, and his efforts and enterprise in this direction have done much 
to stimulate the rapid strides the county has made in this direction, and 
entitles him to the gratitude of all interested in the county's advance- 
ment, reputation, and substantial benefit. In a business point his life 
has been a grand success, and by his unflinching rectitude and upright 
dealings, he has secured the confidence, respect, and esteem of all with 
whom he has had to do. He has been inflexible and unswerving in the 
discharge of his duty. As a citizen he has always shown a worthy pub- 
lic spiritedness and symphatized with every local improvement and 
enterprise calculated to benefit the city. He is a . member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and is connected with Maryville Lodge, No. 165, 
and Nodaway Chapter. 

RICHARD P. ROBINSON, 

capitalist, is a son of Cuthbert and Mary (Pullen) Robinson, who were 
both natives of England, and there Richard was also born on the 2d of 
October, 1816. In 18 18 the family emigrated to America, landed at 
Philadelphia and traveled over the mountains by team to Pittsburgh, 
and down the Ohio River to Washington County, Ohio, where he was 
reared. He also resided in that locality till 1872, having the greater 
part of the time lived in the town of Marietta. When fifteen years of' 
age he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed it till 1850, after 
which time until 1853 he was engaged in a planing mill, sash and door 
factory, being a member of the firm and having the supervision of the 
entire establishment. He then located on a farm and was occupied in agri- 



820 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

cultural pursuits till 1865, when he moved to the village of Belpre, where 
he was engaged in speculating till 1872, when he came to Missouri. May 
23, of the same year he located in Maryville, and since that time has been 
giving his attention to speculations and dealing in real estate. He is a 
member of White Cloud Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. Mr. Robinson was 
married December 10, 1840, to Miss Sarah A. White, a daughter of 
William and Anna (Ellis) White, both natives of New York. Mrs. R. 
was born in Steuben County, New York, November 4, 18 13. When she 
was about four years of age her parents moved to Westmoreland County, 
Pennsylvania, and three years later to Washington County, Ohio, where 
she was married. They have had seven children, two of whom are liv- 
ing : William C, born January 22, 1844; Mary A., born March 1, 1850. 
The latter was married March 9, 1871, to Rev. Thomas I lift, a minister 
of the M. E. Church. He is a native of Ohio. He has traveled over the 
different territories, and also made a tour with his wife in Europe for 
fifteen months. 

THEODORE L. ROBINSON, 

cashier of the Nodaway County Bank, and one of the leading business 
men of Nodaway County, is a native of Callaway County, Missouri, 
where he was born on the 8th of February, 1833. His father was a mer- 
chant, and the son may be said to have been bred to this business. In 
1844 the family removed to Buchanan County, and the subject of this 
sketch was for a time employed in the old Mansion House, a leading 
hotel in St. Joseph at that period, and then accepted a position with 
John Curd, a pioneer and prominent merchant. In 1849, m common 
with many others, he crossed the plains to California, with an ox team, 
and remained there until 1855, engaged in mining, then returned to St. 
Joseph and once more became associated with his old employer. In 
1857, in company with Mr. Curd, he engaged in business in Maryville, 
since which time he has been a permanent resident and continuously in 
active business, and in which he can well claim to have been engaged 
for more consecutive years than any other man in the county. In 1873 
he became connected with the bank, and in the capacity of cashier and 
general manager, he has proved himself a safe, conservative and suc- 
cessful financier, and has secured the confidence of the community in 
which he resides. He is a plain, candid, wide-awake man, assumes 
nothing, and attends to his duties assiduously. He commenced life 
without means, and may well be termed the architect of his own fortune, 
and thoroughly merits the esteem in which he is held. As a citizen, he 
has always manifested an active interest in all that has had a tendency 
to promote the interest of the county and prominent in all educational 
matters. Mr. Robinson was married October 9, 1859, to Miss Rebecca 
J. Ray, a daughter of Jumes Ray, a. prominent citizen of this count)', who 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 821 

removed from Nelson County, Kentucky. Their family consists of five 
children : James B., Martha E., Theodore L., Fred. P. and Jennie I. 

JOHN K. RUTH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, 
December 7, 1835. His parents, Jacob and Matilda, nee Kimmons, were 
both natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and the former was 
an agriculturist by calling. When he was four years of age, John was 
taken to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and then to Marshall 
County, West Virginia, where he resided until he was fourteen. At 
that time he moved to Adams County, Illinois, in the fall of 1850, and 
after three years located in Hancock County. He spent the most of his 
time on a farm, and also attended the common schools. In 1878, he 
came to Missouri, and in March of that year settled in this county, 
where he now owns 247 acres of land, stocked with graded cattle, and 
upon it is an orchard and an abundance of small fruit. His dwelling is 
so situated as to give an attractive view of the country round about. 
He is a member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of Mary- 
ville, and has been school director of his district, etc. Mr. Ruth was 
married December 27, 1861, to Elizabeth R. Kimmons, daughter of Ira 
Kimmons, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, but now a resi- 
dent of Adams County, Illinois. They have five children : M. C, born 
November 4, 1861 ; Minnie L., born July 21, 1864; Edgar L., born May 
26, 1866; Thomas B., born March 28, 1874, and Blanche, born December 
2 3> 1 §75- Mr. R. is independent in his political preferences, and belongs 
to the Christian Church of Maryville. 

J. H. SAUNDERS, 

merchant, one of Maryville's most valuable and respected citizens, is a 
native of Madison County, Kentucky, and was born May 6, 1824. He 
was there partially educated and resided until 1843, when he immigrated 
to Missouri with his parents, his father, John, being one of the pioneers 
of Buchanan County. For two years he lived twelve miles south of St. 
Joseph. In 1845, with his family, he moved to Nodaway County, and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits in Maryville, being among the first inter- 
ested in this branch. Previous to the war he went to St. Joseph, and for 
many years was well known as proprietor of the Saunders. House. Few 
men in Northwest Missouri were more highly esteemed or had a more 
enviable reputation than John Saunders. His death occurred in 1869. 
James H. Saunders has been a resident of Nodaway County the greater 
portion of the time since 1845. He spent a few years in the western 
country and four years in St. Joseph. For a long time he has been one 



822 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

of the leading merchants of Maryville. Although before the people of 
Nodaway County from the time it was in a comparatively crude state, 
Mr. S. has never been known officially. He is no political aspirant, pre- 
ferring the commercial arena of life. He has been closely associated 
with the progress of Maryville, and is ever ready to endorse all com- 
mendable enterprises beneficial both to town and county. Possessing 
as he does, a genial and kindly disposition, in both the public and pri- 
vate walks of life, he is one of the most companionable of gentlemen. 
In 185 1 he married Miss Emma Ray, of Kentucky. They have four chil- 
dren: Lawrence A., now a practicing physician in Kansas; Ida, wife of 
Prof. B. A. Dunn, editor of the Republican ; Ernest R. and Jennie. 
Ernest R. is the junior member of the firm of Saunders & Son, and is 
one of the rising young merchants of Nodaway County. 

RICHARD SAUNDERS 

was born in Madison County, Kentucky, on the 21st of March, 1835, and 
is the son of John and Nancy Saunders. The family moved from Ken- 
tucky to Missouri in the fall of 1843, and settled on a farm twelve miles 
south of St. Joseph, on the main road to Weston. Travelers going north 
would inquire the distance to the Blacksnake Hills, afterwards known 
as Robidoux, now the city of St. Joseph. Mr. Saunders remained on the 
farm for two years, working during the summer and attending school in 
winter. His first teacher was a Mr. Collins; the second a Mr. Prescott, 
both good, practical, common sense men, who taught reading, writing, 
arithmetic and grammar; could make a good quill pen, and did not hes- 
itate to use the birch when necessary. During the fall of 1845 Mr. Saun- 
ders' father located in Maryville, Missouri, and built a double log house 
on Main Street, where the Methodist parsonage now stands. In 1850 he 
moved to St. Joseph, where he embarked in the mercantile business, tak- 
ing Richard, then a boy fifteen years of age, in as a clerk, where he con- 
tinued to assist his father when not attending school. In 1856 he 
entered the store of Walker, Jenkins & Holly, as clerk, in the town of 
Maryville. Here he remained until the spring of 1857, when he went to 
Nebraska City, Nebraska, and took charge of the store of Holly 
& Brown. In the summer of 1858 he went to Pittsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania, and there attended Duff's Commercial College. Return- 
ing to Maryville in the following year he and his brother James 
H. Saunders formed a partnership in the mercantile business, continuing 
to sell goods until 1861, when Mr. Saunders again became a resident of 
St. Joseph and took charge of the Saunders House, which was at the 
time-conducted by his father. He, with his brother John, operated the 
Saunders House until the spring of 1877, when the}' sold to other part- 
ies. Soon after Mr. Saunders went to Europe where he remained until 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 823 

January, 1878, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Prussia, 
Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy. In February, 1878 he 
returned to MaryVille and assisted in the banking house of Baker, Saun- 
ders & Co. until 188 1, when he sold his interest. He was married to 
Miss Lida C. West, in September 1878, and by this union they had one 
Child, Ed., who died. Mr. Saunders possesses excellent business quali- 
fications, and being a man of good judgment, his efforts in business 
enterprises have always been crowned with success. Having traveled 
extensively he has seen much of the world and remembers with great 
tenacity what he has seen. He is kind and obliging, a good citizen, a 
gi-nial and companionable gentleman. 

S. W. SCOTT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, 
on the 28th of January, 185 1. His father. A. P. Scott, a farmer by call- 
ing, was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, and his mother, Mary Scott, 
of the same place. S. W. was brought up at his birthplace, on a farm, 
receiving an education in the common schools. In 1877, he came to 
Missouri, and on the 23d of September, located in Nodaway County. In 
politics he is Republican. He is a member of the firm of Scott Brothers 
& Braninger, which is composed of S. W. Scott, J. M. Scott and F. L. 
Braninger. They have leased 320 acres of land, and have the same well 
stocked with high grades of sheep, hogs, etc., having brought one car 
load from Ohio. Their attention is given principally to raising these 
animals. J. M. Scott is now about thirty-seven years of age, and was 
born in Jefferson County, Ohio, but was principally reared in Guernsey 
County. He was married in the spring of 1868, to Miss Anna E. Wal- 
lace, who died in the spring of 1872, leaving one child, Anna W. 

J. L. SCOTT, 

farmer and* stock raiser, section 15, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
October 17, 1854, and is the son of Alexander F. and Eleanor (Barnes) 
Scott, the former of Jefferson County, Ohio, and the latter of Westmore- 
land County, Pennsylvania. J. L. passed his youth in Harrison County, 
Ohio, on a farm, receiving a good business education. In 1880 he came 
to Missouri, settling in Nodaway County, on the 14th of May. He now 
has 320 acres of land, fairly stocked. Mr. S. was married March 24, 

1880, to Rachel A. Dunlap, daughter of Joshua Dunlap, formerly of Har- 
rison County, Ohio. They have one child, Jessie B., born January 9, 

188 1. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



824 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JAMES F. SHELL, 

t 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born on January 30, 1840, irc 
Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana, and is the son of Solomon 
and Sarah N. (Lemon) Shell. The former was a farmer and carpenter, 
and a native of North Carolina. In the fall of 1841 he was taken to> 
Platte County, Missouri, then almost unsettled, and made his home there 
until the spring of 1856, when he came to this county with his parents, 
they locating about seven miles northwest of Maryville. He settled on 
his present place, commencing the improvement of a farm, and now 
owns eighty-five acres of stocked land, upon which is a good orchard. 
He is a member of Florida Grange, No. 32, and fills the office of secre- 
tary. He has been road overseer. In August, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company H, Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was taken 
prisoner at Lexington, Missouri, by General Price. He was afterwards 
paroled. Mr. Shell was married September 22, 1864, to Miss Mary A. 
Cain, daughter of Charles Cain, of this county. They have six chil- 
dren : Sarah, born August 22, 1865 ; Solomon, born September 3, 1869;. 
Elma V., born December 23, 1873 ; Jessie, born August 27, 1875 ; Clara, 
born July 17, 1878, and Earl, born March 23, 188 1 ; one is deceased. Mr. 
Shell is Republican in his political views. 

THOMAS SHOEMAKER, 

proprietor of the the Valley House, and of the firm of Shoemaker & 
Sons, proprietors of transfer line and livery, was born in Cayuga County, 
New York, March 2, 1829. He was reared in his native state, and spent 
his boyhood days on a farm. In 1866, he engaged in the grain trade at 
Union Springs, New York. In 1870, he decided to emigrate west, and 
came to Nodaway County, and built the Valley House, which under his- 
supervision has gained a wide reputation, and is in all respects a model of 
cleanliness, with a table to tempt the most fastidious. His grounds are 
large, and laid out with artistic taste, and no pains or expense have 
been spared in making it beautiful and attractive. He contemplates- 
further improvements, which will add still more to its beauty. Mr. Shoe- 
maker was married November 15, 1854, to Miss Esther O'Hara, a native 
of the same county as her husband. They have one son, Frank G., 
born in Cayuga County, New York, August 21, 1858, and principally 
raised in Nodaway County. He married Miss Mary Hagen April 22, 
1880. They have one son, Frank G., Jr. 

MICHAEL SHORTELL, 

of the firm of Shortell & Albaugh, proprietors of billiard hall and saloon, 
is a native of Ireland, and was born April 20, 1844. He was there reared 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 82^ 

to manhood, and received his education, following the plow for a liveli- 
hood in his youthful days. He is the son of Edward and Bridget (Mur- 
phy) Shortell, who are living in the land of their forefathers, their ances- 
tors for many generations having tilled the soil. Mr. S. traces his origin 
to the old chieftain of the name of Shortell. His mother's death occurred 
in 1 8 5 1 . In 1859, the subject of this sketch immigrated to America, and 
settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided one year. From thence he 
removed to Kewanee, Illinois, and engaged in farming till 1869, when 
he came to this city, and engaged in contracting and building till 1875. 
Then he embarked in the saloon business with P. Hamill, they remain- 
ing together one year, when he returned to his trade, and in 1880, he 
engaged in his present business with Mr. Doren. In 1881, Mr. Albaugh 
became his partner. Mr. S. was united in marriage July 3, 1877, to Miss 
Maggie Murphy, a native of Ireland. They have two children : Mary 
and Daniel. He is a member of the Catholic Church. He is well known 
in Maryville, and the number of substantial buildings erected by him is 
a sufficient guarantee of his skill as a contractor. He is doing a good 
business in his present line, as he deserves. 

G. W. SIGNS, 

of the firm of G. W. Signs & Sons, dealers in clothing and gents' furn- 
ishing goods, is a native of Ohio and was born in Wayne County, 
August 29, 1834. He is a son of John and Anna (Hayes) Signs, the 
former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ohio. In 1850, with 
his father, he moved to North Manchester, Wabash County, Indiana., 
and in 1854 went to Lisbon, Ohio. He was educated in Indiana and 
Ohio, spending his time on a farm in his native state, and while in Indi- 
ana he learned the trade of cabinetmaking, which he followed till 1862. 
He then engaged in the mercantile trade, which he continued in Lisbon 
till 1871, and in May, 1872, he came to Maryville. Since that time he 
has principally been occupied in the mercantile trade, and since 
March, 1878, has been in his present business. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. Mr. S. was married May 4, 1856, to Miss Sarah E. 
Ringer, a daughter of John and Mary (Faust) Ringer, who were both 
natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Montgomery County, Indi- 
ana, in February 1836, and died in October, 1869. They had two chil- 
dren : John M. and Charles E. Mr. Signs was again married August 11, 
1870, to Miss Ella J. Church, a daughter of Seth J. and Sophronia Church, 
both natives of LTtica, New York, where Mrs. S. was also born in 1846. 
Previous to her marriage she had been engaged in teaching. 

NATHANIEL SISSON, 

of the firm of Morehouse & Sisson, one of Nodaway County's most 
enterprising citizens, is a son of N. P. and Sarah (Green) Sisson, natives 



826 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

of Ohio. Their son, Nathaniel, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, May 
25, 1845, ar) d was reared at his birthplace, on a farm, receiving the 
advantages of a good English education. In 1862, in response to Presi- 
dent Lincoln's call for troops, he enlisted in the Ninety-second Ohio 
Infantry, but was discharged on account of his youth. He again enlisted 
in the Second Virginia Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, 
and witnessed the surrender of Lee. After he was mustered out he 
returned home and attended school, and, for a time, was engaged in 
teaching. He came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1866. Having 
formed a taste for the profession of surveyor and civil engineer, he 
dovoted his leisure hours to perfecting himself in this branch. He was 
for a short time engaged in the furniture business, and for three years 
held the office of road commissioner, and then resigned the position, 
and the following two years was engaged in bridge building. During 
this time he superintended the construction of the bridge over the 
Brazos River, Texas, being the largest wooden span bridge in the state. 
In 1875, he engaged in his present business in connection with A. P. 
Morehouse, and the firm are doing the leading real estate business in 
Northwestern Missouri. Their abstract books are complete and reliable. 
Mr. Sisson is the inventor of the system of abstracts known as the 
American System, and it has been widely adopted and universally 
approved. In 1876, he published a correct and reliable map of the 
county, which has proved a great convenience and of lasting benefit to 
the county. A marked characteristic of Mr. Sisson's career, which has 
been both honorable and successful in his straight forward course, and he 
has secured in a high degree the confidence of all with whom he has 
business intercouse. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and 
belongs to Maryville Lodge, No. 165, and Nodaway Chapter. He mar- 
ried Miss Mary Hughes, October 14, 1874. She was born in Lexington, 
Missouri. Their family consists of one son, N. Paul. 

ELDER RUFUS SMITH 

was born September 21, 1821, in Deerfield, Oneida County, New York. 
His father, Rufus Smith, married Lucinda De Groat. His parents moved 
to Erie County, New York, when Rufus was five years of age. They 
then located in Jefferson County, New York, where they lived and died, 
leaving a family of six sons, Samuel, William, Rufus, Eladsit, Wayne 
and Warren, and two daughters, Helen and Harriet. Of these Samuel, 
Eladsit and Helen are now deceased. When in his seventeenth year 
Rufus was converted and called by God to preach the gospel at once. 
His mother being a Methodist, he joining the New School Lutherans, 
saw and felt deeply the effect of divisions in the church. He resolved, 
with the light which God gave him, to preach the pure gospel and let 




•— 




tScteAeA Uryy^£4z~ 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 827 

Lutherism and all other isms take care of themselves. Being requested 
to hold meetings at Beech Ridge and Clayton, in Jefferson County, he 
earnestly commenced work for the Master, and was rewarded by having 
two revivals, one of which was the most wonderful of his life. During 
all this time he worked for his father on the farm and walked fifteen 
miles every Sabbath to his appointments. The Lutheran ministers hear- 
ing of his success selected a conference and gave him license, October 
5, 1842. His mother having died soon after his conversion, his father, who 
was not a Christian, desired him to remain at home and work on the farm 
.and have the homestead of 200 acres, or, if he left home, to have his time 
but never a dollar. Thanking his father for his time, Rufus, believing 
all God's promises, including Mark x. chapter, 29-30 verses, resolved to 
follow the Lord fully, hence he worked by the month, day and hour, and 
paid his way to secure a limited education. Many years after this, Elder 
Smith's father sent for him, though a thousand miles away, to confess 
to him that he had done wrong in trying to hinder him in his work, and 
said : "Rufus, I am glad you obeyed God, and did not listen to me. Be 
faithful. I will try and meet you in Heaven." Young Smith's first 
•charge as a pastor of a congregation was at Morristown, St. Lawrence 
County, New York. Here he was united in holy wedlock with Eliza C. 
Reese, on the 5th day of July, 1843. He remained there for two years, 
and was licensed in full by the Franckean Synod, June 8, 1844. In these 
two years there were over two hundred who professed religion. Mr. 
Smith's next field was at Starkville, Herkimer County, New York, where 
he remained for six years, having abundant success in that locality. In 
January, 185 1, he left there for Raymertown, Rensselaer County, New 
York, there continuing for five years, preaching regularly every Sab- 
bath, and at other places in the county had many revivals ; Bryan's 
Corners had an extended revival, organized a Lutheran Society and 
erected a meeting house, etc. During this time he buried his only 
daughter, Eveline Lucinda, who died September 23, 1853. In October, 
1856, he moved from Raymertown to Sharon, Wisconsin. On moving 
west he became acquainted with Julius Movius, General Agent of the 
Great Western Railroad. Learning his mission west, Mr. Movius always 
passed Mr. Smith and his family, free., from Buffalo to Chicago and return. 
Feeling that he could not do more for him, Mr. Smith named his young- 
est son after him. Upon learning the fact, Mr. Movius replied with the 
following letter : 

Buffalo, N. Y., March 17, 1865. 

REV. R. Smith, Jr., — My Dear Sir : Absence from home has pre- 
vented earlier acknowledgement of your kind favor of the third instant, 
but contents are noted with much satisfaction. Let me congratulate 
you upon the accession to your family circle, and I pray that Julius 
Movius Smith may live and grow up a good man — a Christian — and be 



828 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

the comfort and support of his worthy parents in their declining years-, 
and a pride to him whose name he bears. I shall always feel a deep- 
interest in him, and hope to have it in my power to aid and encourage 
him in the journey of life, and to secure him such a position as the 
development of his moral, religious, commercial and scholastic attain- 
ments may indicate. This is a period somewhat remote, and if in the- 
meantime I can serve you, it will give me pleasure so to do. 

I am, very truly yours, JULIUS MOVIUS. 

Julius Movius Smith died March 14, 1865, at Mt. Morris, Illinois. Mr. 
Smith was in Sharon and Janesville, Wisconsin, preaching in the States 
of Illinois and Wisconsin for five years, having an outpouring of God's 
spirit in many places in both states. From the beginning of the war he 
was for a number of years engaged in preaching as an evangelist, both 
north and south, showing that if the church of America had been one,, 
and the pure gospel had been expounded, there could have been no war. 
During this time he held a meeting at Jackson, Will County, Illinois,, 
where he had another revival, and built a meeting house, but lacked a 
few hundred dollars of paying for it. To raise this amount, Mr. S. char- 
tered a train, and took his friends from Jackson and Will County, to visitr 
the southern prisoners confined at Camp Douglas, in Chicago, for the 
purpose of preaching the gospel to them. The proceeds obtained were- 
sufficient to pay for the train and the meetinghouse. In 1865, he located 
in Mt. Morris, Illinois, and at that time it was publicly announced that 
he would not receive one dime from any one only as a free will offering,, 
consequently the word money was not mentioned during his stay there 
of two years. His wants were not only fully supplied, but he had hun- 
dreds of dollars to give away for benevolent purposes. Mr. Smith would 
as soon baptize for any other denomination as for the Lutheran, always 
teaching the people that by the Holy Ghost they were baptized into 
Christ's Church. That the denominations were only societies, all of 
which were out of God's order. While teaching this bible truth, he 
received members into the Lutheran Society only when requested, never 
asking any one to join, he feeling that all isms were a " stumbling block, 
which should be removed out of the way of God's people." — Isaiah 57, 14. 
From some cause, he hardly knewwhy, he felt impressed to ask for a 
letter from the Lutheran denomination, which was granted July 7, 1866. 
We herewith print the letter: 



in 



This is to certify that by a vote of Synod, an honorable letter of dis- 
ission from our ecclesiastic body was granted to Rev. Rufus Smith on. 
the 7th instant, at our late session, held at Albion, Marshall County, 
loua. Brother Smith has belonged to the Franckean Evangelic Lutheran 
Synod of New York, for the last twenty-five years, and for the last six. 
years to our Western Conference. He is an eminent, zealous and very 
active embassador of Jesus. He has for the last six years acted as an. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 829 

-efficient and successful Evangelist in various portions of this western 
country and elsewhere. 

We, therefore, recommend him without the least hesitation, with 
love and confidence, to any ecclesiastic body of the Evangelic Lutheran 
Church of North America, wherever he may see fit by the direction of 
Providence to join. May the divine blessings of our Lord and Master 
Jesus Christ richly rest upon him, on his beloved family and upon all 
true Israel of God, near and far. Amen. 

CHRISTIAN SANS, 
Ex-President of Western Lutheran Conference of New York, and Secre- 
tary of Western Evangelic Lutheran Missionary Synod. 



About the -middle of September following, Dr. Sternbergh, President 
of the Lutheran College, at Albion, Marshall County, Iowa, invited him 
to hold a meeting in the college hall. On the third day of that meeting 
an infidel of the town asked him two questions. The first one was : " How 
■many churches has your God got?" His reply was: "One, sir." The 
second question was : "Which one of the churches is your God's church ? " 
Mr. Smith's answer was: "Not any one of the denominations, but all 
Christians in and out of them — all constitute Christ's Church." The 
infidel then said: "Your head is level, sir. Why don't you preach and 
practice it ?" Mr. S. saw at once the practicability of what he had always 
preached, and thanked God that he could use an infidel in the opening 
of his eyes to see how plain it is to practice as well as preach the gospel, 
as well as to open Peter's eyes with the four-footed beasts and creeping 
things. — Acts, X-T5. The same night in the hall he dropped the Lutheran 
name, declaring that his name was Rufus Smith, minister of the gospel, 
nothing more nor less. He then presented the oneness of the Church 
of Christ, as taught in the Scripture. Dr. Sternbergh, adding his testi- 
mony to the truth, declared he, too, dropped that name, saying he had 
been troubled on the same subject for twenty years. After this a num- 
ber of infidels cried for mercy, and renounced their infidelity. When 
the doctor sent east for his letter, then came to pass the saying : 

" But, O! what a storm of persecution did rage, 
For the cause of old Babylon so many engage." 

Mr. S. says he never saw the doctor after that, the latter soon mov- 
ing to Kansas. Upon returning to Mt. Morris, Illinois, he preached his 
"denominational funeral sermon" from Romans xii., 5, all claiming at 
the time that his position was according to God's revealed will. Hence 
from that time to the present he has not shunned to declare the whole 
counsel of God, asking his congregations east and west to forgive him 
for receiving them into the Lutheran Society. Since then he has been 
laboring in ten different states, showing- to all that 



830 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

'• The time is soon coming, by the prophets foretold, 
When Zion, in purity, the world shall behold, 
When Jesus' pure testimony will gain the day — 
Denominations, selfishness, will vanish away." 

Mr. Smith's first tour to Missouri was about 1869, when he went to 
St. Louis, then to Raleigh, and thence south on horseback to near the 
Arkansas line, where he held some very important meetings. Deeming 
this a very undesirable portion of the state, he advised his eldest son, 
Fayette, not to move there, as he had previously arranged to do. Soon 
after, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and being pleased with 
the country, he bought a half section of land in the southwest corner of 
the county, intending for Fayette to work and improve it. Upon the 
removal of the latter to Nodaway County, he imagined the land was too 
far from timber, consequently Mr. Smith purchased some timber land 
with prairie adjoining, selling the original half section. After erecting a 
dwelling and making some needed improvements, the son then urged 
his father to hire money and buy prairie near him, that he might culti- 
vate as his own, thinking thereby that he might soon make him a farm. 
Fayette was born in Morristown, St. Lawrence County, New York, 
April 11, 1845. On account of his moving off of the land which was 
furnished by his father, the latter decided to locate here, which he did 
soon after. He lived in that neighborhood until the year 1875, when 
he move to Maryville, having but two children living, Fayette and 
Arthur. The last named was born at Janesville, Wisconsin, October 22, 
1857. When in his eleventh year he had an attack of the spinal fever, 
from which he has suffered more or less until within the last few years. 
Mr. Smith's wife died June I, 1880, in great peace, having been a com- 
fort and helpmate indeed, for thirty-seven years. On the 18th day of 
August following, he and his youngest son, Arthur R., started on their 
mission, preaching from state to state, and, in Ohio, Arthur, like Isaac 
of old, found a companion, as he believes, selected of the Lord, by the 
name of Rosa Thornton, whom he married in Monroe, October 9, 1880. 
Her mother with herself were left alone, all of their dear family having 
died in the Lord. Upon their return to Maryville, after a few weeks, it 
was made manifest to Mr. Smith that it was God's will that Rosa's 
mother should take the place of Arthur's mother. Accordingly they 
were united in marriage December, nth, 1880, he finding that the 
companion given him in his declining years supplies the place given 
him in his youth, with the additional gift of laboring with him in the 
gospel. On the 13th of December, 188 1, Arthur was called to mourn 
the loss of his companion, who was so self-sacrificing, and to him and her 
parents such a comfort. Her death was a triumphant one. The elder, 
in speaking of the goodness of God to him, in supplying all his temporal 
wants, in giving him houses, lands, money and friends, with persecutions, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 83 I 

and in showing him from his youth more and more clearly the oneness 
of the Church of Christ, and now a companion to labor with him in the 
gospel, as Aquilla and Prescilla of old, and providentially to be ordained 
by men on the gospel plan, so that he may now perform outside of sec- 
tarianism all ministerial duties, by preaching the truth as it is in Christ, 
in the fullness of his soul he exclaims : "Goodness and mercy have fol- 
lowed us all the days of our lives, and, by the grace of God, we will 
dwell in His house, which is His church forever. AMEN !" 

GEORGE W. SMITH, . • 

of the firm of Vaughn & Smith, grocers, is a native of Pennsylvania, and 
was born in Lancaster County, December 2, 1833. He was reared and 
educated in the town of Holland, and when sixteen years of age he 
learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, which he followed for 
twelve years. In March, 1865, he moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, 
and located on a farm, and with the exception of one year was engaged 
in farming till March, 1879, when he came to Nodaway County. He set- 
tled on a farm one and a-half miles southeast of Maryville, where he was 
engaged in farming and conducting a dairy till the spring of 1881, when 
he and his son, J. J. Smith, started the creamery of Maryville, J. J. being 
the inventor of Smith's Portable Creamery. G. W. sold his interest in 
this in July, 188 1, and in October he began in his present business as 
one of the firm of Vaughn & Smith. He is a son of William and Mary 
(Shaffer) Smith, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter a native 
of Pennsylvania. Mr. S. was married August 4, 1854, to Miss Mary A. 
Tyson. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, February 12,. 
1832. They had eleven children, seven of whom are now living : Wil- 
liam F., John J., Amos E., Augustus, Ida, Mary E. and Laura J. Mr. 
and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. Church. 

SMITH BROS., 

dealers in dry goods and boots and shoes, are numbered among the 
leading merchants of Northwestern Missouri. The firm is composed of 
C. Q. and J. W. Smith, who are the sons of Spotswood D. and Mary A. 
Smith, natives of Virginia. C. Q. was born in Cooper County, Mis- 
souri, April 21, 1842. His youth was spent on his father's farm and in 
acquiring an education. In 1868 he commenced his mercantile experi- 
ence, and in 1869 he went to Kansas City, and afterwards sold goods at 
Clinton and at Arrow Rock, in Saline County. In March, 1875, he came 
to Maryville. Mr. S. married Miss Ella Jones, May 17, 1877. She was 
born in Hinds County, Mississippi. Their family circle consists of 
two children, Marry E., and Stella 0. J. W. Smith was also born in 



832 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Cooper County, Missouri, December 10, 1844. and, like his brother, spent 
his boyhood days on his father's farm. He commenced selling goods at 
Arrow Rock in 1866, and came with his brother to this county in 1875. 
He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Hustin, a lady whose graces of 
mind and person endeared her to all who enjoyed her acquaintance. 
Mrs. Smith died April 30, 1879, leaving two children, Charles Leon, and 
Mary V. The Smith Bros, thoroughly understand the wants of their 
customers, and their patronage extends not only throughout this and 
adjoining counties, but also into Iowa, and their liberal treatment and 
honorable dealing has secured for them an enviable reputation wherever 
the firm of Smith Bros, is known. 

FAYETTE SMITH, 

of the firm of Eddy & Smith, is a native of St. Lawrence County, New 
York, and was born April 11, 1845. His father's name is Rufus Smith, 
and his mother's maiden name was Eliza Reese. The former removed 
to Wisconsin when he was young, and he was principally reared in Janes- 
ville. During the late war he enlisted in the army in Company F, Thir- 
teenth Wisconsin Infantry, and after serving two years he was discharged 
on account of disability. After his return from the army he was for some 
years engaged in the real estate business and farming. He is at the 
present time, in company with his partner, Mr. Eddy, purchasing grain 
at Blanchard, Bingham, Shenandoah, Imogene, Solomon, Strahan, Law- 
rence, Silver City and Miniola, with headquarters at Maryville. He 
ranks as one of the leading business men of the county. While it is true 
that some men inherit greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them, 
a large number are the " architects of their own fortunes." The man 
of this stamp, self-reliant and courageous, building on principle and not 
pedigree, starts out with the idea God helps those who help themselves. 
He who has faith in his own powers, who is diligent in his calling and 
has his heart in his work, is on the road to success. He was married in 
1865, to Miss Emma Hill, of Ogle County, Illinois. Their family consists 
of seven children : Mary E., Martha E., Estella, Carrie E. ( Bessie, Lucy 
Ethel and an infant son. 

J. A. SMITH, 

dealer in gents' furnishing goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, was 
born in a log cabin in Andrew County, Missouri, on the 17th of June, 
1848, his parents being pioneers in that county. His father, John Smith, 
was born near the river Rhine, in Germany, while his mother, whose 
maiden name was Emeline Stokes, was from Virginia. Her parents 
were pioneers in the Platte Purchase. J. A. spent his boyhood days on 
the farm, and attended the old subscription schools of that period. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 833 

During the first part of the war, he served in the Enrolled Missouri 
Militia, and in February, 1865, enlisted in Company B, Fifty-first Mis- 
souri Volunteers. When the war was over, he resumed farming. In 
1866-7, ne attended school at Clarinda, Iowa, under the instruction of 
Professor Wood, and once more returned to the farm. In the fall of 
1869, he embarked in the mercantile business with August Schuster, of 
Savannah, continuing some six years. He came to Maryville March 22, 
1876, and purchased the stock of Signs & Clellan, and engaged in busi- 
ness on his own account. In the fall of 1876, J. J. Bean became a part- 
ner, and continued in the business until February 1, 1882, since which 
time he has conducted the business alone. He has a large and complete 
stock, and does a lucrative business. He is a member of White Cloud 
Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F. He is a sterling business man and an enter- 
prising citizen. Mr. Smith was married September 4, 1876, to Miss 
Sarah E. Walker. She was born in Canterbury, England, December 11, 
1853, and was principally raised in Canada. They have two children : 
Alfred E., born May 22, 1877, and Grace E., born on the 25th of July, 
1881. He is a member of the First M. E. Church. 

JUDGE FREDRICK D. SNYDER 

Is a leader among the administrators of justice in Northwest Missouri, 
and a man who is noted for his sensibility of honor, fidelity and princi- 
ple. He is the youngest child of George S. and Elizabeth Snyder, and 
was born in Washington Township, Darke County, Ohio, August 21, 
1838. His paternal great-grandfather was Anthony Snyder, a soldier of 
the Revolution, and his grandfather was John Snyder, a soldier of 18 12. 
His father, George S. Snyder, was born July 4, 1804, in Cumberland 
County, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Company I, Thirty-seventh 
Iowa Infantry, in the rebellion. His regiment was known as the "Gray- 
beards of Iowa," being all old men, and was stationed most of the time 
at St. Louis on guard duty. He was a farmer in his younger days, and 
•died at St. Louis in 1876. The maternal great-grandfather of Judge Sny- 
der was John Jacob Diveley (Dueble), of Wurtemburg, Germany, the 
records at Stuttgart containing the names of the Diveley family for five 
hundred years previous to 1874, during which year they were examined 
by Hon. Michael Diveley, of Kansas City, and from which records it 
appears that John Jacob Diveley was a soldier in the king's service, 
and after serving his time left Stuttgart, with his family, in 1763, 
and settled in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1770. About the 
year 1783 he removed to Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. 
Frederick Diveley, the maternal grand-father of Judge Snyder, was born 
at Hagerstown, Maryland, about 1772, and died near Fort Greenville, 
Darke Count}', Ohio, August [I, 1857. Frederick Diveley's brother 



834 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Martin was the grand-father of Michael Diveley, of Kansas City, above 
mentioned, and the father of General Michael Diveley, who was lieuterta 
ant colonel of the One Hundred and Ninth. Pennsylvania State Militia in 
1 8 1 1 , by appointment of Governor Simon Snyder, and on August 3, 
1817, was appointed Brigadier General of the Militia for Bedford, Som- 
erset and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, by Governor Heister Judge 
Snyder's mother died September 13, 1839, when he was but little more 
than a year old, and his home from that date until October 13, 1856, was 
in the family of his grandfather Diveley, on the George Diveley farm, 
where he was born, at which latter date he commenced teaching school 
in his native township. He continued teaching in Darke County, Ohio, 
until in the spring of i860, when he went west and commenced reading 
law in the office of John Mitchell, Esq., at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, 
May 7, i860, and at a term of the district court held at Marion, May 15, 
1861, Hon. William E. Miller, (since Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 
of Iowa), presiding, he was admitted to the bar. On the nth of April, 
186 1, the day the war of the great rebellion commenced, he was mar- 
ried to Julia Anna Maria Kellogg, a daughter of the late Elder A. S. 
Kellogg, M. D., of Marion, Iowa. He continued in the teacher's pro- 
fession and practiced law as occasion offered until Eebruary 6, 1865, when 
he became one of the publishers and editors of the Jackson County 
Sentinel at Maquoketa, Iowa, which he disposed of in about four 
months thereafter, and after teaching in the winter of 1865-6, he 
entered regularly on the practice of law at Le Claire, Scott County, 
Iowa, April 1, 1866, where he continued in the profession until 
April 22, .1870, when he removed to Maryville, Missouri, where he 
now resides, and resumed the law practice. On April 25, 1871, he 
was elected Secretary of the Board of Education of Maryville, Mis- 
souri, and held that office for four years and a half in succession, 
being re-elected annually. On June 4, 1872, he was elected justice 
of the peace for Polk Township, and served in that office for ten 
months. On April 6, 1875, he was elected Township Clerk of Polk 
Township, and re-elected April 4, 1876. On November 7, 1876, he was 
elected Public Administrator of Nodaway County, and served until 
December 23, 1879. He was elected judge of the probate court Novem- 
ber 5, 1875, took charge of that office January 1, 1879, and is still acting 
in that position. In addition to the otherwise busy life of Judge Snyder, 
for the past twenty years, he was local editor of the Union Campaigner, 
published by Dr. Barwell, at Marion, Iowa, in the fall of 1862; corres- 
ponding editor of the Constitutionalist, published at Lyons, Iowa, in 
the summer of 1864, during which year he resided at DeWitt, Iowa, and 
was secretary of the board of education of that city ; was the LeClaire 
correspondent of the Davenport Daily Gazette from November, 1866, to 
June, 1868, and correspondent of the Davenport Democrat from June 9, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. H35 

1868, to March, 1870, and Maryville correspondent of the St. Joseph 
Gazette from June, 1870, to May, 1881. He has been secretary of twenty 
different literary and other societies, including the State Convention of 
the Christian Churches of Missouri, at St. Joseph, in August, 1872. He 
has held every office in the Good Templars' and Odd Fellows' Lodges, 
and representative to the grand lodges of both, having represented the 
Odd Fellows' lodges at Maryville, Graham, Quitman, Hopkins and Pick- 
ering, in the Grand Lodge of Missouri, at St. Louis, in May, 1879, and 
held a commission as special deputy grand master for the state, under 
Grand Master Gregory, for the year ending May, 1880. He has been one 
of the trustees of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., from October, 
1873, to the present time, and secretary of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Benefit 
Society, of Maryville, from December, 1875, to the present time. He is 
also the master (October, 1881,) of Industry Lodge, No. 78, A. O. U. W., 
and a steward in Nodaway. Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M. 

AMOS SPRECHER, 

of the firm of Sprecher & Smith, proprietors of livery, feed and sale 
stable, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, November 28, 1845. His 
father, Daniel S., was born in Maryland; and his mother, whose maiden 
name was Barbara Kaufman, was also a native of the same place. Amos 
was reared to manhood on a farm at his birthplace, receiving the prin- 
cipal part of his education at Rock River Seminary. Upon arriving at 
maturity, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 
1869 he came west and settled in Atchison County, Missouri, where he 
engaged in farming, and in 1873 he located in Nodaway County, settling 
five miles west of Maryville.. This land he improved, but afterwards 
sold and moved to Maryville, November 1, 1875, there engaging in the 
clothing business with R. P. Weaver, in the spring of 1876. After con- 
tinuing some eleven months, he sold out and went into partnership with 
Walters & Bender, under the firm name of A. W. Walters & Co. They 
moved their machinery from the Quitman Woolen Mills to Maryville 
and erected a large building at this point, here starting the mills. After 
remaining one year with the company, Mr. S. retired and embarked in 
the livery business with Mr. McCommon, under the firm name of 
McCommon & Sprecher. Two months later his brother purchased Mr. 
McCommon's interest, and the firm became A. Sprecher & Bro. In 
February, 1881, the brother retired, and Mr. T. Smith entered as a part- 
ner, constituting the present firm name of Sprecher & Smith. They 
have the largest barn in the city, and keep it well stocked, and are 
always ready to tend to the wants of the traveling public. Their tall 
windmill can be seen for miles, and is about the first object that meets 
the eye of the stranger on approaching the city. Mr. S. is an active 



836 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

member of the Ancient Order of United Workman, in which he holds 
the office of General Foreman. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. He 
was married January 14, 1869, to Miss Sylvania C. Wertz, daughter of 
Henry Wertz, of Illinois. She was born in Ogle Count)', Illinois, in 
July, 1845. They have five children : Lilly M., born November 25, t 87 1 ; 
Henry F., born May 4, 1873 ; Eva E., born October 4, 1874; Susan V., 
born March 4, 1876, and Clyde, born January 29, 188 1. 

EDWARD S. STEPHENSON. 

(PREPARED BY HON. LAFAYETTE DAWSON.) 

It is not expected that the writer of a biographical sketch should 
indulge in hyperbole or in fulsome panegyric, but that he should accu- 
rately outline the traits and characteristics of his subject. If I shall in 
this a.rdcle transcend the rule indicated, I trust I will receive immunity, 
from the fact that the deceased was my firm and unflinching friend. In 
writing of the dead, years after the sad event of their departure, their 
moral worth and business qualifications ought not to be measured by 
the change of systems, the wild notion of peculation, the greed for spoils 
and the laxity of honesty which the mutations of time have brought. 
When we analyze the leading characteristics of this subject, we must of 
necessity let our minds revert to the days of his business activity and 
measure his motives, his manner of business, his integrity and his 
capacity by the rule then prevailing for estimating character and probity. 
It is well known that what was considered downright dishonesty in his 
day is now looked upon by too many as a slick business transaction. 
Edward S. Stephenson was born in Madison County, Kentucky, June 27, 
1822. In the autumn of 1844 he came with his father to Nodaway 
County, which was then comparatively a wilderness. Here he remained 
with the family until 1849. Being of a restless, active disposition, he 
quickly became a victim of the gold fever, and in the spring of 1849 
turned his youthful eyes toward the setting sun and took up his line of 
march for the golden sands of California. He succeeded admirably in 
his enterprise there, and in 1852 returned to Nodaway County, bringing 
with him sufficient means to start into business. In September, 1854, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Swearengen, whose tastes and 
ways were congenial, and whose combination of good sense and indus- 
try made their union a happy one and rendered their home a very 
attractive place for all who came within its hospitable doors. Mrs. S. 
was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 15, 1825. She lived there 
until the age of sixteen or seventeen years, when she came to Maiyville. 
She has resided in Nodaway County for twenty-two years. Three chil- 
dren were born of this marriage : Rachel E., the eldest, nicknamed 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 837 

"Cub," who is now the wife of John M. Holt; Mary A., nicknamed 
"Coon," the wife of H. M. Turner; and Minerva S., nicknamed "Pig," 
who is unmarried and lives with her mother. These pet names were 
given to the three daughters by their father when they were babes, and 
strange to say, cling to them to this day. None of their intimate 
acquaintances think of calling them by any other names than these. In 
his domestic affairs Mr. Stephenson was happily situated, and his home, 
without show or pretention, was a center of social enjoyment and domes- 
tic refinement. His love and tenderness for his family knew no bounds, 
and they in turn, received the gospel only from him. He was eminently 
successful in his business transactions, and passed the great financial 
crash of 1873 unscathed, although he afterwards met with serious financial 
reverses. He, in connection with George S. Baker, Joseph E.Alexander, 
W. C. Orear and James B. Prath^r, in 1868, founded the first bank that 
Maryville ever had. It was then known as the bank of George S. Baker 
& Co., Mr. Baker being the cashier. The paid up stock was only five 
thousand dollars at that time, but from that small beginning, and 
the energy of the proprietors, large financial results have followed. 
In 1873, the above named banking institution was succeeded by the Nod- 
away Valley Bank, where Mr. Stephenson continued to be a stockholder 
until 1875, when he sold his interest. Prior to his banking enterprise, 
he had been alternately engaged in handling live stock and in mercan- 
tile pursuits. It was proverbial of him, that he could weigh a drove of 
hogs, or herd of cattle, and keep the weight of each draft, the rate per 
pound, and the general amount, in his head, seldom making a mistake. 
Many of the early stock dealers of Nodaway County preferred his accu- 
rate memory to their own book accounts. His judgment of the weight 
and size of animals was remarkable. Being innately honest himself, he 
acted upon the principle that those with whom he dealt were honest, and 
this accounts for his partial failure in business. That the financial 
embarrassments with which he met in 1875-6, saddened his spirits, none 
who knew him can deny, but in no way lessened his love for his friends., 
or his readiness to contribute to their enjoyment. He had the confi- 
dence of all with whom he dealt, and his word was to them his bond. 
The storm was never so blinding, nor the wind so fierce, as to deter or 
prevent him from meeting his obligations with the farmers. He was 
one of those who believed that the soil was the primary source of all 
wealth, and that his obligations to those who tilled it should be scrupu- 
lously observed. Neither did the decline in prices, however great, offer 
an inducement to him to violate a contract, although it rested entirely 
on parol. But to properly appreciate his sterling honesty and inherent 
goodness, we must look back to the days of 1861 and 1865. 

He who undertakes to recite the events of twenty years ago, cover- 
ing the dark and bloody midnight of our National existence, can but be 



838 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

conscious of making mistakes. But I will be sustained, I feel sure, by 
those who knew him best, in asserting that while he remained true to 
the cause of the Union, and that while he approved of and encouraged 
the act of his father in manumitting and providing for his slaves, yet he 
deplored the rapacity and cruelty consequent upon civil war. Still, not 
the despondent anticipations of the wisest could then realize the dark 
and sorrowful tragedies which were crowding thick and fast upon the 
people of Missouri. Dark and threatening as was the cloud then hover- 
ing over the country, none anticipated the appalling fury with which it 
burst — none anticipated that it would deluge a nation in blood. Here 
in Nodaway County, neighbor was arrayed against neighbor ; the frame- 
work of society was wrecked, distorted and shattered ; a condition of 
peace had been supplanted by the bloody crest of war ; confusion pre- 
vailed evervwhere; a feeling of distrust and uncertainty seized the people, 
still he moved among them advising forbearance and peace. It is not 
extravagant to say that his extensive acquaintance, his knowledge of the 
people, their confidence in him, and his goodness of heart, enabled him to 
do more than any other one man to prevent the people of Nodaway County 
from imbruing their hands in each other's blood. It was during the calami- 
tous days alluded to that his greatness shone brightest. Some men 
achieve fame at the forum ; some in the halls of legislation ; some on 
the field of battle, and some while wearing the ermine, and still others 
while in the sacred desk, but it was in the walks of private life, in the 
wholesome advice he gave in the distribution of his boundless charity, 
that he achieved a fame that will not die while his cotemporaries live. 
Though the inducements were great, he invariably and under all cir- 
cumstances refused to profit by the calamities and misfortunes of 
others, but would and did, when in his power, build up and assist 
in restoring their lost fortunes. By his impartiality, his urbanity and his 
goodness of heart, at a time when there was a premium on veniality, 
villainy and dishonesty by those in authority, he established himself in 
the confidence of the people, which confidence he held until the day of 
his death. His mind was impartial and eminently just. His quickness 
of perception, his sagacity, and his remarkable knowledge of character, 
were intuitive. With great but simple dignity that nothing could dis- 
turb, (although at times excitable), he was a man of warm heart, of 
boundless sympathy, and withal, a keen sense of humor, in which he 
would at times indulge. His simplicity of manners and his freedom 
from ostentation, encouraged the poorest and most destitute to appeal 
to and confide in him, and lie was not unworthily regarded by his fellow 
citizens as the very embodiment of charity. It is said that no one with 
poverty and destitution depicted on their person ever appealed to him 
in vain. He was not a member of any church, though he had a strong 
leaning toward the 1'resbvterian denomination. He believed that true 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 839 

religion should be evidenced by a man's conduct, that it consisted in 
honesty and charity, and in ameliorating the condition of his fellow man. 
Surely a just God will deal leniently with such a soul. On April 5, 1877, 
Edward S. Stephenson, after a protracted illness, passed quietly and 
peacefully away, directing his brother, Andrew T. Stephenson, shortly 
before his death, where to find his cooling board in the out house, and 
.telling him that the board was too long, and where he would find the saw. 

" Pure as the mantle which over him who stood 
By yordari s stream descended from the sky, 
Is that remembrance which the wise and good 
Leave in the hearts that love them when they die. 
So pure, so precious shall the memory be, 
Bequeathed in dying to our souls by thee, 
So shall the love we bore ihe cherished, warm 
Within our souls through grief and pain and strife 
Be like Elisha's cruise, a holy charm 
Wherewith to ' heal the waters ' of t hi* life " 

ANDREW T. STEPHENSON, 

produce dealer, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Madison 
County, April 23, 1834. He is a son of Jesse and Elsus (Blankburn) 
Stephenson, who were both natives of Kentucky. They came to Mis- 
souri in 1844, and located in Buchanan Count)', and, in the spring of 
1845, Andrew located in Nodaway Count)', where he has since resided. 
He was reared on a farm, and made tilling of the soil his occupation till 
1857, when he came to Maryville, where he embarked in the grocery 
business. Since that time he has been engaged in various mercantile 
pursuits, and also for quite a period was occupied in the stock busi- 
ness. He has had an experience of about five years in the produce bus- 
iness. Mr. Stephenson has been a member of the town council three 
terms, and is now trustee of the township. He was married January 2, 
1859, to Miss Ellen Israel, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wilcox) 
Israel, and a step-daughter of W. C. Orear. She was born in 'Canton, 
Fulton County, Illinois, November 16, 1840. The)' have six children : 
William T., Mary D., Carrie B„ Edward F., Nellie E. and Harry I. 
Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. Church South. 

PETER STORCH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, was born in Hanover, Germany, 
November 24, 1839, aR d is the son of Henry Storch, a native of the same 
country. When nine years of age he accompanied his father to Amer- 
ica in the fall of 1848, and settled in Henry Count)-, Ohio, where he was 
brought up on a farm, obtaining a common school education. He there 



840 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. He participated in the battles of 
Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Jonesboro, and others, 
and was in the Atlanta Campaign and through with General Sherman 
to the sea. Thence through Richmond to Washington, where he took 
part in the grand review. He was mustered out in July, 1865, at Louis- 
ville. Kentucky, and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio. The war over, he 
resumed farming again in Putnam County, Ohio, and four years later 
came to Missouri, settling in Nodaway County in March, 1869. He 
now owns a valuable stock farm of 320 acres, having upon it all kinds of 
stock. About four acres are devoted to an orchard. He has held the 
position of district clerk and many other offices of trust and responsi- 
bility. Mr. Storch was married January I, 1866, to Miss Eliza Clark, 
daughter of James Clark, a native of Pennsylvania. They have eight 
children : Grace M., born October n, 1866; James F., born October 1, 
1869 ; Sarah M., born November 14, 1871 ; Joseph A., born August 23, 
1873 ; Annie G., born March 31, 1875 ; Arthur M., born January 12, 
1877 ; Bertha T., born December 14, 1878, and Thomas P., born Decem- 
ber 16, 1880. Mr. S. is independent in politics, and belongs to the Free 
Will Baptist Church. 

N. J. STRATTON, 

grain dealer, is one of the more recent acquisitions to the business inter- 
ests of Maryville. He was born in Jersey County, Illinois, March 20, 
1837, and is the son of L. P. Stratton, a native of New Hampshire. His 
mother's maiden name was Sarah B. Johnson. She was born at North 
Andover, Massachusetts. They settled in Illinois in 1830. The subject 
of this sketch spent his boyhood days on a farm, and in acquiring an 
education. In 1857, he commenced his experience in the grain trade, 
and after a residence in Brighton, Verden, Jacksonville and Waverly, he 
came to this county in April, 1880. Since that period he has been 
prominently identified with the grain interest of the county, as proprie- 
tor of the Wabash Elevator, and besides buying at this point, he is 
also engaged in purchasing at Wilcox, Elmo and Clearmont. At each 
of these places he has done a successful business. He is a man of mod- 
est manners, of cool and determined demeanor, a plain, candid, straight- 
forward man of business. In few words, he is a man of sterling worth 
and integrity, having the confidence and esteem of all who have the 
pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Stratton was married in 1859, to 
Miss Clara R. Rice, a native of Illinois. They have one son, Edwin L. 

MARGARET SWEARINGEN, 

one of the early settlers of Nodaway County, was born in Shelby County, 
Indiana, January 5, 1827. She is a daughter of John B. Morgan, a native 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 84I 

of Tennessee, and Elizabeth (McDonald) Morgan. Margaret accom- 
panied her parents to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the fall of 1841, it 
then being called Andrew County. They settled in Polk Township on 
section 1, bought a claim and commenced pioneer life. Savannah was 
their nearest post office, and they frequently went below St. Joseph for 
milling purposes. Margaret remembers her early pioneer life distinctly, 
and is familiar with ranges, townships, etc. She married Nicholas 
Swearingen on the 12th of February, 1854. He was a native of Jefferson 
County, Ohio, born October 14, 1829. They entered the piece of land 
where she now resides in 1855, locating on it in 1856. Mr. S. lived to 
enjoy life until November 22, 1878, when he died. During his life he 
was an upright and reliable citizen and held the respect of a large cir- 
cle of friends. Since his death Mrs. S. has carried on the farm with the 
aid of her son. She has two children living : Mary, born November 18, 
1856, (she married Mr. Geo. T. Woodruff April 29, 1880,) and John B., 
born August 18, 1858. She owns 80 acres of improved land. Mrs. S. 
states that the first school house in that vicinity was built some four 
and a half miles southwest of her present residence in [844. It was an 
old log building with a stick chimney and slab benches. Dr. D. M. 
Ervin, a graduate from Lexington, Kentucky, first taught in the building. 
Karns Laughlin had taught a school in an old abandoned cabin in the 
vicinity in 1843. The first religious services were held in 1842 by the 
Methodists in the old Nathaniel Barnes' cabin. The Presbyterians held 
their first services in the spring of 1844, at her father's (John B. Morgan) 
cabin. E. A. Carson preached the first sermon. Thomas Groves and 
Elizabeth Davis were the first couple married during the winter of 1842. 
The first death occurred June 27, 1842. John McDaniel Morgan, her 
brother, was drowned in White Cloud Creek. He was buried near her 
father's residence. The place is still used as a grave yard. 

WILSON F. SWINFORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born in Harrison County, Ken- 
tucky, on the 10th of April, 18 18. His father, John Swinford, and his 
mother, whose maiden name was Polly Adams, were both natives of 
Kentucky. Wilson accompanied his parents to Putnam County, Indi- 
ana, when eight years of age, and there he was principally raised on a 
farm, obtaining a common school education mostly by self application 
In 1846 he moved to Miami County, Indiana, where he resided until the 
fall of 1857, and then emigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri. He 
soon purchased his present farm, and since that date he has been an 
active citizen of Nodaway. During the war he served in the Enrolled 
Missouri Militia. He was an active worker in the Grange movement, 
and now takes an interest in educational matters, and has been a mem- 



842 BIOGRAPHIC A I,. 

ber of the school board for many years. His landed estate consists of 
some 1,200 acres of fine land. He has a handsome residence, a good 
orchard, and his farm is well stocked, and is one of the finest for stock 
purposes hereabouts. Mr. Swinford was married Jul)' 24, 1838, to Miss 
Sarah J. Lee, a native of Maryland, born October 8, 1820. They have 
eight children living : John, born April 10, [841 ; Alice J., born May 
8, 1845 (now Mrs. Samuel Thompson) ; James M., born January 15, 1848 ; 
Lucinda, born December 13, 1849 (now Mrs. John Hood) ; Charles G., 
born December 24, 1851 ; Oliver W., born March 11, 1854; Mary, born 
April 15, 1857 (now Mrs. Newton Kelly) ; Sarah E., born December 26, 
1861 (now Mrs. James Scowden.) Lost two, Nancy A. and William T. 
Himself and wife are active members of the Christian Church. He ranks 
among the leading citizens of Nodaway County. 

ADAM TERHUNE. 

Few men in Nodaway County are more familiarly known than he 
whose name heads this sketch. He is a son of David and Mary (Cooper) 
Terhune, and was born in Fleming County, Ky., November 13, 18 16. 
He lived in his native state until seven years of age, and then accom- 
panied his parents to Wayne County, Indiana, and was raised in this and 
Henry Counties. His boyhood days were passed on a farm, though he 
afterwards learned the cooper's trade. In 1841 he came to Missouri, and 
in 1851 located in Nodaway Count}-, and since that time has been iden- 
tified with the growth and improvement of the count}-. He was elected 
county judge for several terms, and proved himself a man well qualified 
for the position, discharging his duties efficiently and satisfactorily. He 
was married in 1834, to Miss Betsy Cory, of Ohio. They have six chil- 
dren : Louisa, (now Mrs. Wadley) ; John C, cashier of the Farmers 
Bank; Elizabeth, (now Mrs. Lamar); Martha, (now Mrs. Johnson); 
Saphronia, (now Mrs. Ramsay); Cyrus, now of the firm of Grundy & 
Terhune, dealers in agricultural implements. 

JOHN C. TERHUNE, 

cashier of the Farmers' Bank, was born in Indiana, August 9, 1839, an< ^ 
is the son of Adam Terhune, who settled in Nodaway Count}- in 1851. 
His mother's maiden name was Betsy Cory. The youth ot John C. until 
he was sixteen years of age, was spent on his father's farm and attending 
school. He then commenced his mercantile experience as clerk in a 
store. In 1862 he was appointed clerk and ex-officio recorder of Noda- 
way County, and was elected by the people his own successor and served 
the county in this capacity nearly nine years. In 1873 he engaged in 
the banking business under the firm name of Fisher, Jackson & Co. This 



POLK TOV- r :;3HIP. 843 

firm was succeeded by the Farmers' Bank, of which, in 1877, Mr. T. 
was appointed cashier. As a man, he is a good illustration of what can 
be accomplished by industry and sterling integrity. As a public officer 
he was attentive and obliging, yet unswerving in the discharge of his 
official duties. As a citizen he has ever been interested in the growth 
and prosperity of the city. Mr. Terhune was married on April 7, 1864, 
to Miss Rebecca Corken, of Ross County, Ohio. They have two child- 
ren, Morna, now attending the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, 
and Hubert G. Mr. Terhune is a member of Nodaway Lodge No. 450, 
A. F. and A. M. 

HENRY THILL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 15, was born November 2, 1826, in the 
village of Tuntengen, Luxemburg, Germany, and was there reared until 
ten years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Paris, France. 
His parents were both natives of Germany, moved to Paris in 1836, and 
remained in that city until 1853. Henry received good educational 
advantages, and commenced to learn the drug business when fifteen. 
After serving seven years apprenticeship, he started on the road as a 
traveling salesman, and traveled five years. In 1853, he went to London, 
England, remaining there three years, when he returned to Paris. On 
the first of July, 1858, he married Susanna Deheck. She was born in 
Ausenburg, Germany, on the I2th of June, 1827, and went to Paris when 
seventeen years of age. Crossing the ocean in Jul}-, i860, they landed 
at New York, and after traveling over the west considerably, they 
located at Chicago, and remained there eight years. They kept the old 
Fort Dearborn House on the lake, and in June, 1868, Mr. Thill came 
west and purchased his present farm of 240 acres, and considerable town 
property in Maryville. He returned to Chicago and moved to Maryville 
in September, 1868, settling in an old log house, where the Farmers 
Bank now stands. He has erected five brick business houses, and also 
two dwelling houses in Maryville. His farm is well improved, and he 
has an orchard of 300 trees of different varieties, and a vineyard. He 
and his wife speak four distinct languages : Dutch, German, French and 
English, and can write three. They are active members of the German 
■Catholic Church of Maryville. 

JAMES TODD, 

•of the firm of Martin & Todd, publishers and proprietors of the Noda- 
away Democrat, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, October 9, 
1847. His father, Hugh Todd, was a native of Ireland. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Margaret Beggs, was also a native of that 
■country. James Todd resided in his native count}- till the year 1 S 5 7 , 



844 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

when at the age ten years, he moved with his parents to the state of 
Missouri, and in the following year to Nodaway County, where he has 
since continued to reside, spending most of the early part of his life on 
a farm His literary education he received in the common schools of 
this county, after acquiring which, he for a time engaged in teaching. 
Having little tasts, however, for this calling, and desiring a more active 
and extended field of labor, he determined on the profession of jour- 
nalism, and associated himself in the publication of the Nodaway Dem- 
ocrat with George W. Martin, who had assumed editorial control of that 
paper in 1874. Under the able management of Martin & Todd the 
Democrat soon achieved a position in the first rank of newspaper excel- 
lence in this part of the state, a reputation which it has since continued 
steadily to advance. Personally, James Todd is a gentleman of excel- 
lent address, unassuming demeanor, and enjoys a professional reputa- 
tion second only to his personal popularity. He was married in 1878 
to Miss Anna Curfman, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one 
daughter, Anna, born in August, 1881. 

HENRY TOEL, 

Sheriff of Nodaway County, is a native of Germany, and was born in 
Oldenberg, February 19, 1828. He was there educated, reared to man- 
hood and resided until 1861, when he came to the United States, locat- 
ing in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. Here he remained until 1867, when he emigrated to Marshall 
County, Iowa, sojourning there until the autumn of 1868, when he moved 
to Nodaway County, taking up his abode nine miles southwest of Mary- 
ville. He followed farming until 1875, when he removed to Maryville, 
and was interested in various official trusts until 1878, when he was the 
choice of the Republican party for sheriff. He was elected, and 1880 
re-elected by a large majority. Mr. Toel has a keen foresight, and is an 
excellent judge of human nature. Nodaway County has attained quite a 
reputation for bringing its evil doers to justice, and much credit is due 
Sheriff Toel for the active part he has taken. He married in Germany 
in 1852, Miss Margaret Egts. They have had ten children, eight of 
whom are living: Sophie, Mary, Lizzie, Nettie, Henry, Jr., J. William, 
George C. and Minnie E. J. William is the popular deputy sheriff, well 
known throughout Nodaway County. Mr. T. is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

WILLIAM H. TOTTERDALE 

is of Conrad & Totterdale, contractors and builders. This firm com- 
menced business in 1875, and although not among the pioneers as a firm, 
we venture to say that they have built as many of the fine buildings in 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 845 

this city as any one firm in their line. They are both genial gentlemen, 
artistic mechanics, and merit the patronage they are so liberally receiv- 
ing. William Totterdale is a native of Somersetshire County, England, 
and was born May 21, 1848. At the age of ten years he, with the family, 
immigrated to America, settling in Columbia County, Wisconsin, where 
he resided six years. He then went to Waukesha Count}-, Wisconsin, 
where he was reared to manhood and received his education. When 
eighteen years of age he began to learn the trade of carpenter, which he 
so successfully follows. He there resided three years, after which he 
removed to this city and continued working at his trade till 1875, when 
he became a member of the above firm. He was united im marriage 
May 18, 1870, to Miss Susan B. Blend, a native of Canada. Her death 
occurred November 21, 1880. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
of this city, belonging to Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M., and 
has held all of the offices within the gift of the lodge, and has also passed 
the chairs in White Cloud Lodge. No. 92, 1. O. O. F. 

R. K. TOWNSEND, 

one of Nodaway County's substantial citizens, is a native of Jo Daviess 
County, Illinois, and was born October 27, 1836. His father, Halstead 
S. Townsend, settled in Jo. Daviess County in 1832, and was one of the 
leading citizens of the county. He was a gentleman of almost universal 
popularity, and was honored by being selected to represent his district 
in the state legislature a number of years. R. K. was reared in his 
native state, and educated at Mount Carroll Seminary, in Illinois. In 
i860, he moved to Waterloo, Iowa, and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, remaining in Blackhawk County eight years, when he came to 
Maryville and engaged in trade, pursuing the same avocation for eleven 
years. In June, 1881, he retired from active business life, and has since 
devoted his time to his private interest. But few men have a better 
record. He is known as a man of sterling integrity and decided char- 
acter, and receives and merits the esteem and confidence of his fellow 
citizens. He was married September 29, 1858, to Miss Arabelle Howar- 
ter, of Illinois. The have two children, Edward L. and Halstead H. 

EDWARD E. TOWNSEND, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 13, was born in Rush, Jo Daviess County, 
Illinois, December 27, 1838, the son of H. S. and Hannah (Carver) Town- 
send, the former a native of Steuben County, New York, and the latter 
cf Fayette County, Indiana. Edward remained on the home farm, 
receiving his education at Mount Morris Seminar}' and the seminar}- at 
Mount Carroll. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced business 



846 BIOGRAPHICAL. • 

life for himself. by buying and shipping horses. On the 6th of Septem- 
ber, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Ninty-sixth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry, and was soon elected first lieutenant, and about the close 
of the first year was promoted to captain of his company, holding this 
position until the close of the war. He took part in the battle of Chick- 
amaugua, and in all the engagements under General Sherman on the 
Atlanta campaign, and returned with Schofield, participating in the bat- 
tles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. He was discharged at Chi- 
cago in July, 1865, after which, in the spring of 1866 he started for the 
mountains in Montana, remaining for two years. He then returned to 
Jo Daviess County, Illinois, purchased a farm on which he resided until 
the fall of 1873, when he came to this county. He now owns eighty 
acres of land and is largely engaged in buying sheep and other animals, 
making stock dealing his principal business. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, holding his membership in Nodaway Lodge, of 
Maryville. Mr. Townsend was married February 5, 1866, to Miss C. A. 
Lewis, daughter of Rev. R. E. Lewis, of this county, formerly ot Jo 
Daviess County, Illinois. They have four children: Charles H., born 
November 22, 1867; Edna I., June 11, 1868; Earl L., May 8, 1870; Ray, 
March 28, 188 1. Mr. T. is Republican in politics. 

S. H. TOWNSEND, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Jo Daviess County, Illi- 
nois, February 10, 1840. His father was a native of Steuben County, 
New York, and his mother, formerly Miss H. Corner, of Blackhawk 
County, Indiana. Young Townsend was reared on a farm at his birth- 
place, and received his education from the common schools. In 1861 he 
enlisted in Company B, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteers, and held the 
position of second lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Fort 
Donelson and Fort Henry, besides other minor engagements. In 1868 
he came to Missouri, and on May 18th of that year he located in this 
county. Here he now owns 240 acres of well watered land, with some 
graded stock and a good orchard, etc. This place was not improved 
when he settled upon it. Mr. Townsend is a great reader of standard 
works, and a sociable companion. His marriage occurred March 2, 1871, 
td Miss Kate Hess, daughter of Jacob Hess, of Putnam County, Missouri. 
( )ne child is the result of this union : Delia, born April 6, 1872. Mr. T. 
is Republican in politics. 

W. E. TRUEBLOOD, 

is a native of Indiana, and was born in Jackson County, December 2, 
1839. He was educated, raised to manhood, and learned the carpenters' 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 847 

trade in his native state, and on the 11th of July, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company B, of the Twenty-second Indiana Infantry. Soon after enlist- 
ing he was appointed sergeant. He was taken prisoner at the battle of 
Peach-tree Creek, and passed nine months and three days in Anderson- 
ville and other prisons. He participated at the battles of Pea Ridge, 
Pittsburg Landing, and others, and was with Sherman on his march to 
the sea. With the exception of a slight wound, he passed through the 
rebellion safely, being honorably discharged May 2, 1865. He returned 
to Indiana, and the same year came to Maryville. Here he engaged in 
carpenter work and building, and for seven years made a specialty of 
bridge building. In 1875 Maryville, becoming in need of an official 
who would see that peace and order would be observed, the council 
appointed Mr. Trueblood city marshal, and found in him a man equal to 
the emergency. After serving three consecutive years, he withdrew, 
and after about eighteen months' absence from the office, was re-elected, 
and has since held that position. He is a finished gentleman, very reso- 
lute, and the name he bears (True-blood) characterizes the man as an 
official. He married in 1866 Miss Louisa Jackson, of Nodaway County. 
They have by this union two children : Elmer and Emma. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. 

JOHN G. TURNER, 

real estate dealer, was born in Gallatin County, Kentucky, on the 14th 
of December, 1828. His father, George Turner, was born in Hartford, 
Connecticut, and his mother, Miss Rebecca Ramey, was a native of the 
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. John was brought up at his birthplace 
on the old farm, which the heirs still own, and after receiving a prepar- 
atory education in the common schools, he finished his course at Frank- 
lin College, of Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana. Upon becoming of 
age, he turned his attention to tilling the soil. In the fall of 1870, he 
came westward, settling at Maryville on the 14th of November, and 
there he engaged in the grocery business. After continuing for one 
year, he sold out, and has since given his attention to dealing in real 
estate. He owns considerable property in Maryville, and has built sev- 
eral residences. His dwelling is a neat and cosy one. Mr. Turner was 
married November 19, 1856, to Miss Lucy E. Lancaster, daughter of 
Mr. M. Lancaster, of Switzerland County, Indiana. She was born on 
the 8th of January, 1833. They are both active members of the Christian 
Church of Maryville. 

G. W. TURNER, 

dealer in saddlery, harness, boots and shoes, is a native of Southamp- 
ton, England, and was born September 27, 183 1. His father, Rev. 
George Turner, was an Episcopalian minister of more* than local note. 



848 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

He was the son of a naval officer on the vessel Lord Nelson, in Her 
Majesty's service. The youthful days of George Turner, until he attained 
his fourteenth year, were spent on board of ships. The father dying 
when he had reached that age, George was sent to Westminster, and 
afterwards to Oxford, he having studied for and been admitted to the 
ministry. He married Miss Charlotte Rackley, one of the Huguenots 
who were obliged to flee from France on account of religious principles. 
The Rev. George Turner and his wife were in attendance at the coronation 
of Queen Victoria, and were recognized among the first families of Old 
England. When G. W. Turner was in his fourth year the family immi- 
grated to America, locating in Albany, New York, and for a number of 
years his father was pastor of the Brick Church, on Second street. He 
received the benefits of a good education at Mount Hope school, his 
intention in early life being to fit himself for the ministry. When he 
was twenty years of age the family moved west, locating at Stevens' 
Point, Wisconsin, where the Rev. George Turner was prominently and 
favorably known for a number of years. In i860 the subject of this 
sketch came to Missouri, locating ten miles south of Maryville, where 
he engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which branch he continued for 
•sixteen years. He then embarked in his present business. His trade 
is one of the largest in Northwest Missouri, and is well merited, as Mr. 
Turner is not only a live business man but a public spirited and cour- 
teous gentleman. He was married April 2, 1862, to Miss Martha E. 
Moreman, of Kentucky. They have by this union four children : James 
S., Nellie E., Charlotte C. and William B. Mr. T. is Senior Warden of 
the Episcopal Church. His father eventually located near Hiawatha, 
Kansas, where he now resides, well advanced in years, but still a zealous 
laborer in the Episcopal Church. 

H. M. TURNER, 

of the firm of Turner & Jones, dealers in staple and fancy groceries, was 
born in Platte County, Missouri, October 22, 1856. His father, William 
H. Turner, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, formerly Sarah 
Menefee, a Virginian by birth. H. M. was taken to St. Joseph by his 
parents when quite young, and there he was reared to manhood, receiv- 
ing good educational advantages. When fourteen years old, he com- 
menced clerking. In 1874, he went to Kansas City, and remained about 
one year. He came to Maryville in the spring of 1875, and became 
engaged with the Nodaway Valley Bank as bookkeeper and assistant cash- 
ier, continuing in their employ until May I, 1 881, when he embarked in the 
stock business, dealing in cattle and hogs. In November, 188 1, he 
purchased an interest in the grocer}' store of George H. Hutton & Co., 
and formed his present partnership with Mr. Jones. They occupy a 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 849 

substantial brick building, on the corner of Fourth and Main Streets, 
and carry a complete stock. Mr. Turner is still interested in the stock 
business, and is possessed of excellent business qualifications. Septem- 
ber 9, 1879, Miss Mary Stephenson, daughter of E. S. Stephenson, an 
early settler of Maryville, became his wife. She was born May 1, 1859. 

JOSEPH UPDEGRAFF, 

county treasurer, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, June 16, 1819. 
His father, William, was a native of Pennsylvania, and an agriculturist. 
When Joseph was quite young the family emigrated to Shelby County, 
Indiana, where he was reared, receiving the benefits of a limited common 
school education, his boyhood days being spent in tilling the soil. In 
1854 he became a resident of Clark County, Illinois, engaging in farm- 
ing. In 1858 he was representative from Clark County in the state legis- 
lature. In 1864 he came to Missouri, and settled in the southwestern part 
of Nodaway County, where he was engaged largely in farming and stock 
raising until 1878, when he was elected to the office of county treasurer 
by a handsome majority. A fair evidence of the satisfaction which he 
gave the people is attested by his having been re-elected in 1880. Few 
men in Nodaway County are better and more popularly known than 
Uncle Joe, (as he is familiarly called.) In the discharge of the duties of 
his important trust he is tireless and devotes his energies to the best 
interests of the people. In 1874 5 he was a member of the state legisla- 
ture from Nodaway County. Mr. Updegraff is a Democrat by instinct, 
as well as from education, embracing the tenets of the party in child- 
hood and he has never departed therefrom. He was married in 1844, to 
Miss Eliza J. Miller, in Shelby County, Indiana. She is the daughter of 
Colonel Alexander Miller* a prominent politician and for years circuit 
clerk of Shelby County. By this union they have ten children, eight of 
whom are living : Lucy E., (wife of Albert Charles, of Nodaway County), 
Belle, Albert W., Angeline, (wife of Henry Zumwalt, of Oregon), Wil- 
liam, Joseph, Jr., Martin and Izora. Lost two, Matilda and an infant. 
In 1850 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has filled all 
the offices in the Blue Lodge. Is a member of the I. 0*0. F. Encamp- 
ment. 

ORANGE VANDERHOEF. 

farmer and stock raiser, section 1 , was born in Medina County, Ohio, 
April 21, 1836. He is the son of Samuel and Roxy A. (Mclntire) Van- 
derhoef, both natives of New York. The former was a carpenter, ship 
builder and millwright, and was also engaged in farming. Orange grew 
to manhood on a farm, and received a good common school education at 
his birthplace. When twenty-one years of age, he took a trip through 



850 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Michigan and Wisconsin, thence to Chicago, and from there over Iowa, 
Missouri and Kansas, returning home by way of St. Louis. In April, 
1859, he moved to Andrew County, Missouri, and in January, i860, 
located in Nodaway County, first renting a farm near Maryville. He 
now owns eighty acres, constituting one of the best stock farms in the 
county, upon it having two good orchards of 500 trees. July 14, 1861, 
he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, and at the battle 
of Lexington the entire regiment were taken prisoners, and afterwards 
parolled. In December, the company reorganized at St. Joseph, as the 
Twenty-fifth Missouri, and were again ordered to the front, taking part 
in the battle of Shiloh, where Mr. V. was wounded in the right shoulder. 
The regiment was then sent to St. Louis, from there to Arcoda, near the 
Iron Mountain, and thence to New Madrid, where they erected a fort. 
Going next to Tennessee, they were transferred to the First Missouri 
Engineering Corps, and built a railroad from Nashville to the Cumber- 
land River. Mr. V. and four others did the cooking for 1,800 men. After 
serving until the close of the war, he returned to this county. He has 
been school director several terms. He has been three times married. 
First, March 15, 1859, to Elizabeth Hammon. On the 20th of February, 
1S66, Ann Eliza Rea became his wife. There are three children living 
by this marriage: Robert C, born June 2'<$, 1868 ; Cora E., born January 
16, 1 87 1, and Samuel E., born February 12, 1873. Mr. V.'s third mar- 
riage occurred February 11, 1874, to Mary E. Lang. They have a family 
of four children : Ada B., born February 7, 1877 ; Leonard D., born Jan- 
uary 27, 1879, and Jennette and Henriette, twins, born September 3, 
1881. Mr. V. is a Republican, and since he was twenty-one years of age 
has been a member of the M. E. Church. 

GEORGE B. VAUGHN, 

dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, etc., is a son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Brown) Vaughn, the former of Kentucky and the latter of New York. 
G. B. was born in Clay County, Missouri, September 29, 1840. When 
four years of age his parents moved to Andrew County where he was 
reared and educated, there being engaged in farming till 1861, when he 
went to Denver. For nine months he was engaged in freighting, and in 
1863 he moved to Rock Bluff Nevada, where he resided till 1866. Mr. 
Vaughn returned to Clay County, Missouri, continuing to live there till 
1868, and again went to Andrew County. In 1870 he came to Nodaway 
County, and was engaged in farming till 1874, when he came to Mary- 
ville. Since that time he has been interested in the mercantile trade. 
He was married June 3, i860, to Miss Margaret McGee, who was born in 
Clay County Missouri, December 14, 1843. Mrs. Vaughn died leav- 
ing four children, Martha J., Emma E., MoUie A., and George E. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 8$ I 

Mr. Vaughn was again married June 19, 1870, to Mrs. R. J. Prather, 
whose maiden name was Ellis. She was born in Kentucky in April, 
1838. They have had four children, three of whom are now living: 
Myrtie, Wilmer and Orin E. 

T. A. VAUGHN, 

of the firm of Vaughn & Smith, grocers, is a son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Brown) Vaughn, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of New 
York. T. A. was born in Andrew County, Missouri, March 10, 1854. 
He was reared in his native county, receiving a part of his edccation in 
the Stewartsville College, of DeKalb County. He also graduated from 
Smith's Commercial College, of Savannah. Previous to coming to 
Maryville he was occupied in teaching school, which profession he fol- 
lowed for seven years. In February, 1880, he located in this city, and 
has since been engaged in his present business. He was married 
December 29, 1881, to Miss Lucy Saunders, a daughter of William and 
Ellen (Sims) Saunders, the former of Kentucky, and the latter of 
Georgia. Mrs. V. was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, October 24, 
1858. 

GEORGE VINSONHALER 

was among the early pioneers of Nodaway County. He was born in 
Ross County, Ohio, January 14, 182 1. His father, Jacob, was a native 
of Mason County, Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Nancy 
M. McDonald. She was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania. 
George was reared to manhood at his birthplace, and received a com- 
mon school education, principally from his father, who was an excellent 
scholar and a school teacher by profession. He accompanied his parents 
west in the fall of 1841, and settled near Graham, in Nodaway County, 
where he took up a claim, which he afterwards improved. Game of all 
kinds was plentious, and Mr. V. remembers of once killing a deer with 
a club. He was hunting wolves at the time, with a pack of hounds, 
and the dogs ran a deer on the ice, which being thin, was broke through. 
The deer finally got upon the ice, and Mr. V. procured a long pole, and 
tried to knock its feet from under it. Failing in this, he directed his 
blows between its horns, and finally succeeded in knocking it down, 
when the dogs finished the fight. He has made this county his home 
since his first settlement. During the war he served in the Enrolled 
Missouri Militia, although not subject to military duty. In the spring 
of 1 88 1, he moved into Maryville for the purpose of educating his 
children. He was married November 3, 1853, to Miss Sarah Rea. She 
was born January 2, 1832, in Newcastle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, 
and was converted to the Methodist Episcopal faith when sixteen years 



852 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

of age, and in 1852, she went to the Indian mission in Kansas, there 
engaging in teaching. They were married at the mission. Mrs. V. 
died September 20, 1880. They had eight children, four of whom are 
living: Edwin, born October 10, 1854; Frank, born April 14, 1864; 
Duncan M., born June 29, 1867, and Harry, born June 2, 1870. 

E. A. VINSONHALER, 

county collector, is the son of George Vinsonhaler, a native of Ohio, who 
settled in Nodaway County in 1841. His mother's maiden name was 
Sarah Rea, a native of Pennsylvania. E. A. was born in Nodaway 
County October 10, 1854. His early life was that of a farmer boy. His 
education was received in the common schools and at Highland Univers- 
ity, Kansas. He read law with Johnson & Jackson, was admitted to 
the bar in 1877, and was elected justice of the peace of Hughes Town- 
ship. He also served two years as deputy county clerk. In 1878 he 
received the nomination for probate judge on the Republican ticket and 
was defeated by a very small majority notwithstanding his extreme 
youth. In 1880 he was elected county collector and has filled the office 
to the universal satisfaction of those with whom he has had business 
relations. His private life and public record are alike untarnished. He 
was married December 30, 1879, to Miss Helen Wyman, of Blandinsville, 
McDonough County, Illinois, a most estimable lady whose graces of 
mind and person endeared her to all who enjoyed the pleasure of her 
acquaintance. Mrs. V. died June 21, 1881. 

JEHU WARE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Gloucester County, New 
Jersey, January 18, 1821. His parents, Joseph A. and Lydia (Clutch) 
Ware, were both natives of the same county as himself. When eight 
years of age he moved with them to Clermont County, Ohio, and eight 
years later to Wayne County, Indiana. Shortly after he located in Henry 
County, of the same state. While there, February 16, 1 841, he was 
married to Miss Mary Terhune, a daughter of David Terhune, of Henry 
Count}', Indiana. She was born March 18, 1821. The same fall they 
moved to Missouri and located in Andrew County, and in the fall of 
1 841 came to Nodaway Count)-, where he entered 160 acres of land, on 
which he resided five years. For the purpose of educating his children 
he returned to Andrew County, and in 1861 again came to Nodaway 
Count)-, where he has since lived. During the war he was a strong 
Union man, and served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He had two 
sons in the regular service for three years. He was reared on a farm, 
and has made farming his occupation during life, having accumulated a 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 853 

good deal of land, but has divided it among his children, now having 
but seventy-nine acres. His residence presents a fine appearance, and 
is situated six miles northeast of Maryville. The family of Mr. and 
Mrs. W. consists of seven children living : Joseph L., born February 14. 
1842 ; Lydia J., born August 10, 1845, (now Mrs. George W. Null); 
Isaac S., born June 5, 1849; John W., born April 10, 1853 ; Da\id W., 
born August 17, 1856; Mary E., born January 31, 1859; Charles E., 
born March 10, 1862. Two, Elizabeth and Adam T., are deceased. He 
and wife are active members of the M. E. Church. 

R. P. WEAVER, 

dealer in clothing, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Tuscarawas 
County, on July 29, 1838. He lived there until nineteen years of age 
and then removed to Illinois, where he remained one year, at the end of 
that time coming to Nodaway County, Missouri. He settled on a farm 
three miles west of the town of Barnard, and afterwards traveled one 
year in Iowa and Nebraska. During the late war he enlisted in the 
Second Iowa Cavalry, and was afterwards discharged on account of dis- 
ability. He left the farm in 1868 and came to Maryville and engaged 
in the grocery business as one of the firm of Evans, Weaver & Ham 
continuing this business until 1872, when he engaged in the dry goods 
and clothing business. In 1874 he gave his attention to the clothing 
business, and no one has more fully the confidence of his patrons, and 
he is one of those fortunate individuals who almost invariably succeed 
in whatever they undertake. Mr. W. was married December 31, 1863, 
to Miss Martha Jane Baker, a daughter of William Baker, Esq., of Bar- 
nard. They have a family of eight children : Sarah, Emily A., Eugene 
W., Clara B., Carl C, Willie, Bessie and James B. Mr. Weaver is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, also of the A. O. U. W. 

FRANK S. WEAVER, 

dealer in books, stationery and jewelry, was born in Tuscarawas County, 
Ohio, February 14, 1855. His father moved to this state and county, 
settling in White Cloud Township in 1857, and there he improved one 
of the finest farms then in the county. He died in 1862, leaving quite 
a family of small children. When Frank S. was seventeen years old, the 
family moved to Maryville, where the two elder sons were engaged in 
business. He received his education here, and then entered the clothing 
store of his brother, where he remained for four years. In 1 881, he 
bought a farm four miles east of Maryville, and moved to it and remained 
a few months. In December, 188 1, he bought the large business in which 
he is now engaged. He has greatly added to the stock and fixtures, and 



854 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

now has one of the leading business industries in the city. He married 
Miss Elizabeth Toel, daughter of Sheriff Henry Toel, of this county, Feb- 
ruary 6, 1878. They have two children: Margaretta Elizabeth and 
Deloss. Deloss Weaver, the father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Chenango County, New York, in 1808, and emigrated to Ohio in 
1828. In 1857, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, bought his farm 
in White Cloud Township, improved it, and became known as a leading 
and enterprising farmer. In 1862, he died, his death being lamented by 
all who knew him. He married Miss Sarah T. McNamee in Ohio, in 
1831. They had twelve children, four only of whom are now living : 
Reuben P., Emily, Clark and Frank S. Eight died in Ohio of scarlet 
fever. The mother and Clark are living together in Maryville. 

J. T. WELCH, 

is of the firm of Bariteau & Welch, grain dealers. The main office is 
at Maryville, and the branch offices at Pickering, Arkoe, Barnard, Mound 
City, Maitland, Skidmore and Quitman, Missouri. ' J. T. Welch was born 
in the village of Fountain Green, Hancock County, Illinois, June 30, 1842. 
His parents were both natives of Kentucky. His mother's maiden name 
was Melinda Kirk, and his father's name was B. J. Welch. J. T. 
was reared in his native village and in Carthage Illinois. He 
received good educational advantages, and when the was broke out he 
was among the first to respond to President Lincoln's call. He enlisted 
in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in April, 1861, 
with the ninety day men. In May, 1861, they re-enlisted in the three 
year's service, and were quartered at St. Joseph during the winters of 
1 86 1 -2. They took part in the hard -fought battles of Stone River, 
Chickamauga, the Atlanta campaign, thence through with Sherman to 
the sea and to Washington, where they took part in the grand review. 
They were mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and disbanded at 
Springfield, Illinois, in June, 1865, having served some four years and 
two months. At the close of the war the subject of this sketch engaged 
in the mercantile business at Auburn, Sangamon County, Illinois, and 
continued therein until 1873, when he commenced the grain business at 
that place and followed it two years. In the spring of 1875 he embarked 
in the grain business at Maryville, under the firm name of Paley, Welch 
& Co. Mr. Paley died in 1880, and on the 1st of June of that year, Mr. 
Bariteau, a grain merchant of good standing, of Maryville, became a 
partner. The)- have a large and increasing business, and well deserve 
the success that has attended their career. Mr. Welch is an active 
member of Nodaway Lodge, No. 470, A. F. and A. M., of Maryville, in 
which he holds the office of treasurer. Politically he is a staunch Repub- 
lican. He was married in September, 1S66, to Miss Martha L. Casady, 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 85 S 

daughter of Alexander Casady, one of the early settlers of Sangamon 
County, Illinois. She was born in that county, March 27, 1847. They 
have had six children, two of whom are living : Edwin H., born Septem- 
ber 11, 1868; and Nellie, born January 4, 1882. Lost four: Mabel L., 
Jessie C, Harry and Johnny. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, of Maryville. 

COLUMBUS D. WHITEHEAD, 

of the firm of Chambers & Whitehead, grain dealers, was born in Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, March 21, 1848. His father, Abram Whitehead, was 
a native of Genessee County, New York, and his mother, whose maiden 
name was Mary Green, of Licking County, Ohio. Columbus was reared 
at his birthplace on a farm, and after receiving a preparatory education 
in the common schools, in 1867 he entered Wabash College, of Craw- 
fordsville, Indiana, graduating from that institution in 1873 with the 
degree of Batchelor of Arts. He then went to Indianapolis and read 
law with Lucian Barbour, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He 
continued the practice of his profession some five years, and them emi- 
igrated west, and arrived in Maryville on the 21st of December, 1879. 
Soon after he formed his present partnership and engaged in the grain 
business. He came here for the purpose of practicing law, but receiving 
a better offer he concluded to accept it. In his business dealings he is 
upright and honorable, and is an accomplished gentleman. He is a 
member of the Knights of Honor, and belongs to Wheatly Lodge, No. 
8, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Politically he is a Greenbacker. He was a 
candidate on this ticket for Judge of the Circuit Court of Marion County, 
Indiana, in iS/S. There being a contest between the Democrats and 
Republicans he was appointed to the position until the difficulty was 
settled. In the spring of 1879 he was a candidate for mayor of Indian- 
apolis on the same ticket. Mr. Whitehead was married on the 22d of 
September, 1875, to Miss Mary M. Wilson, daughter of Rev. Alfred Wil- 
son, of Covington, Indiana, a Presbyterian minister. She was born near 
Hillsboro, Ohio, October 5, 185 1. She is a graduate of Oxford Seminary, 
of Oxford, Ohio, and was attending school in that building when it 
burned in 1871, and saved her life by jumping from a third-story window. 
They have had two children : Emma C, born August 12, 1876, and 
Mary B., born November 14, 1878. Himself and wife are active mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, of Maryville, in which he fills the office 
of deacon. 

L. ISHAM WHITE, 

of the firm of White & Alderman, attorneys and counselors at law, was 
born in Rome, Oneida County, New York, December 10, 1850. His 



856 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

father, C. H. White, was a native of York State. His ancestors came 
over in the Mayflower. The maiden name of his mother was Jane C. 
Lyttle, and she was born in Scotland. When nine years of age, Isham 
accompanied his parents to Aurora, Knox County, Illinois, where he was 
reared to manhood. He received his education principally at Jennings' 
Institute, of that place, and graduated from the scientific department in 
June, 1870. His father owning a law library, Isham commenced the 
study of law when sixteen. Two years later he commenced practicing 
in the city, and, in September, 1873, he was admitted before the Supreme 
Court of the State of Illinois. He continued his practice in Aurora, 
and, in 1875, formed a partnership with his uncle, Alexander C. Lyttle, 
who held the position of city attorney of Aurora. He assisted in 
many large cases in which the city was involved, filling the position of 
city attorney by proxy. In 1878, he came west, and settled in Mary- 
ville in August of that year. Shortly afterwards he formed a partner- 
ship with Ira K. Alderman, and they are now numbered among the 
leading practitioners of Northwest Missouri. Politically Mr. W. is a 
Union Democrat, but not a partisan in the strict sense of that term — he 
advocates the man rather than the party. He has canvassed his dis- 
trict, and has proved himself a clear, forcible and effective speaker, 
clothing his thoughts in appropriate language, of which he has ready 
command. He was elected city attorney of Maryville in 1880. He is 
an active member of Maryville Lodge, No. 165, A. F. and A. M. He' 
was married July 3, 1878, to Miss Eleanor Pride, an accomplished lady, 
daughter of Captain David Pride, of New York City. She was born at 
Niagara Falls, October 20, 1852. She is an active member of the 
Episcopal Church. Mr. White is the fortunate owner of one of the most 
select private libraries in this vicinity, it being filled with- the leading 
works by all standard authors. 

DRS. D. C. & M. H. WILSON, 

physicians, are sons of Charles and Susan (Howard) Wilson, the former 
a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York. Dr. D. C. Wilson 
was born in Stephenson County, Illinois, March 19, 1839. He was 
reared in his native county and was educated in the schools of Mount 
Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois. He also attended the commercial col- 
lege in Chicago, and graduated in St. Louis. In 1855 his parents moved 
to Chatfield, Minnesota, and when he was eighteen years of age he com- 
menced his career as a civil engineer, which he continued till 1861. 
During this time he was elected county surveyor. In the spring of 1861 
he enlisted in Company A, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry ? 
remained in the service for three years, and was mustered out as com- 
missary sergeant, having participated in many important battles, among 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 857 

which were the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Chickamauga, Chattanooga 
and others. After being mustered out he returned to Minnesota, and 
from there went to California, where he entered the medical college of 
San Francisco, from which institution he was graduated three years 
later. Dr. W. was occupied at his practice in the city of San Francisco 
till 1873, when he moved to Terre H*iute, Indiana, having in the winter 
of 1872 attended the Bellevue College, of New York. He lectured two 
terms in the Physicians' Medical College of Indianapolis. Since his 
return from California he has been engaged in practice over different 
states, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, and also in Salt Lake City, Utah, 
and other localities, making a specialty of the eye, in the treatment of 
which he has been very successful. He was in Memphis during the 
period of the yellow fever in 1878, and rendered valuable medical assist- 
ance. Coming to Missouri in June, 1879, he located ' n MaryviUe. Dr. 
M. H. Wilson was also born in Stephenson County in 1844, and in 1855 
removed with his parents to Minnesota. He enlisted in 1862 in the 
Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and served two years. After being mustered 
out he returned to Minnesota and commenced the study of medicine 
with his brother as preceptor, and attended lectures at St. Louis and 
Cincinnati, graduating from the latter place. He has since been asso- 
ciated with his brother in the active practice of his profession. 

WILES & AVERY, 

manufacturers of listing plows, corn drills and other agricultural imple- 
ments. Among the manufacturing industries of Northwest Missouri, 
and one that is taking a front rank, is the establishment of these gentle- 
men. The famous Eureka Listing Plow and Corn Drill combined, which 
they manufacture extensively, is meeting with a wide and well merited 
success in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and other states. Their 
foundry and machine shops are equipped with the latest improved 
machinery to facilitate in the manufacture of these implements. Aaron 
Wiles is a native of Ohio, and was born in Adams County, October 19, 
1828. When he was quite young his father, Thomas, immigrated to Mis- 
souri, locating in Bates County, being among the first settlers. The 
subject of this memoir here spent his earlier days, eventually returning 
to his native state, where he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1847, he 
again came to Missouri, taking up his abode in St. Joseph, where he 
worked at his trade until 1853, when he went to California, and resided 
in the land of gold until 1857. He returned to St. Joseph and embarked 
in the manufacture of wagons, in company with Ed. Dutton. At the 
breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted in Company C, of the Four- 
teenth Kansas Cavalry, and as veterinary surgeon, was in twenty-eight 
engagements, and served through until the close of the war, when he 



858 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was honorably discharged, returning to St. Joseph, Missouri. In 1867, 
he came to Maryville, and engaged in the manufacturing business with 
Mr. Avery. This co-partnership existed two years, when Mr. Wiles 
withdrew, and did business alone until 1880, when the present partner- 
ship was formed. Mr. Wiles is a first-class mechanic, is noted for his 
many sterling qualities, and is, held in high esteem by his fellow 
citizens. He is a Master Mason, and a member of the I. O. O. F. 
He was married in 185 1, to Miss Ruth Thurman. By this marriage 
they have five children : Charles, Walter, Thomas, Maud, Lawson. 
Mr. Avery is a native of Summit County, Ohio, and was born January 
25, 1840. When quite young he removed with his parents to Missouri, 
locating at Booneville, where his father, A. A., was engaged in the man- 
ufacture of carriages, and for a number of years was identified with the 
leading manufactures of that portion of the state. The subject of this 
sketch here learned his trade and resided until the breaking out of the 
war, when he enlisted in Company H, of the Thirty-fifth Missouri, and 
in the defense of the Union cause, served until the close, participating 
in many of the stirring engagements. Upon the close of the war, he 
came to St. Joseph, and after a temporary sojourn, engaged in the mer- 
chandise business at Fillmore, continuing until 1868, when he came to 
Maryville and embarked in manufacturing, in which branch he has been 
interested to the present time. Being a mechanic of superior merit, he 
has attained a well deserved reputation throughout the country. Mr. 
Avery has been twice married; first, in 1870, to Miss Lettie Andrews, 
now deceased. His present wife was formerly Miss Lottie Vanlcon. 
He has three children : Frankie, Charles, and Grace, the latter being by 
his first wife. He is a Master Mason, and a charter member of Noda- 
way Lodge, No. 470. 

ELIAS WILLIAMS, 



proprietor of the City Mills, of Maryville, is a native of Wales, and was 
born June 26, 1849. He was reared and educated in his native country, 
becoming thoroughly conversant with the milling business, which he 
followed in Wales till 1868, when he came to America, landing at New 
York. Since that time he has followed this same trade. He was located 
in Utica, New York, for one year, then in Philadelphia for six months, 
and afterward for six months was in Cincinnati. At the expiration of 
this time he came to Missouri and resided in St. Joseph till 1875. From 
that period until now he has been in his present mill, he being the 
only one engaged in this enterprise in the town. Consequently he is 
doing a thriving business. Mr. Williams is a member of Maryville 
Lodge, No. 165, A. F. and A. M.; also of White Cloud Lodge, No. 92, I. 
O. O. F. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 859 

GEORGE H. WOOD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born in Bracken County, Ken- 
tucky, December 20, 18 18. His father, William Wood, was a native of 
Pennsylvania. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Huston, 
was a native of Maryland, a full cousin of the noted Samuel Huston, of 
Texas fame. George accompanied his parents to Clermont County, 
Ohio, when ten years of age, and there he was principally raised on a 
farm, and received a common school education. In 1836 he moved to 
Edgar County, Illinois, with his parents, and remained there until 1853, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the fall of that year he came west- 
ward, arriving in Nodaway County, Missouri, November 1st. He set- 
tled on Platte River and built the first cabin on the west side of the 
river for twelve miles up and down. He purchased his present farm in 
February, 1870, and now owns sixty-two acres. He has a handsome 
residence, with a five view of Maryville, some three miles distant, and a 
a good orchard, with all kinds of fruit. During the late war he was in 
the service all the time ; first, in the Home Guard, and then he enlisted 
in the regular service, Company K, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry. He has filled the office of constable many terms. Politically 
he is a staunch Republican, formerly being a Whig. When he landed 
in Nodaway County he owned two yoke of oxen, an old wagon with his 
household goods, and had fifty cents in cash, with a wife and three 
children to support. It is such hard working men that build up a new 
country. In the fall of 1881 he took a trip west, through Nebraska, 
Colorado and Nevada, to San Francisco, thence to Oregon and Wash- 
ington Territory. He returned to San Francisco and went through 
Lower California, Arizona, New Mexico and Kansas, and back to Nod- 
away county, having traveled 6,400 miles. Mr. Wood was married Feb- 
ruary 1, 1843, to Miss Abigail C. Holmes, a native of Brown Count}-, 
Ohio, born September 10, 1825. They have five children living : Tor- 
risa, born December 20, 1849 (now Mrs. Jacob Riley) ; Charles C, born 
December 4, 1855 ; Mary J., born July 10, 1858; Julia J., born September 
18, i860, and Francis E., born September 7, 1863. Mrs. Wood is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 

GEORGE WORST, 

dealer in hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, etc., is a native of 
Saxe-Coburg, Germany, and was born April 7, 1837. He resided at his 
birthplace until 1855, when he immigrated to America, and settled in 
West Virginia, where he lived four years, working the most of the time 
on a farm. During the late war, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty- 
second Ohio Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, and 



86o BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was parolled. He participated in some of the hardest fought battles 
of the war, among them being the siege of Vicksburg and battle of 
Atlanta, where he was wounded. He served until the close of the war, 
and was mustered out with his regiment, at Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. 
Worst returned to Ohio, and remained in that state and Illinois until 
1869, when he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and entered the employ of 
Victor B. Buck, with whom he continued until 187 1. He then settled in 
Maryville, and engaged in the agricultural implement business, and, in 
1879, interested himself in the general hardware trade, in which he has 
built up a large and constantly increasing trade. He is a good illustra- 
tion of what an industrious man can accomplish, having come here with- 
out means. What he now has is the result of his own industry and good 
management. He married Miss Belle Hess, of Unionville, Putnam 
County, Missouri. They have three children : Alice, Trueman and 

Anna May. 

REV. ABRAM D. WORKMAN, 

pastor of the Presbyterian Church, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, 
August 29, 1842. His father, James Workman, was a native of Ohio, 
and by occupation a farmer. His mother, formerly Miss Catherine 
Barnett, was born in Pennsylvania. Abram was reared to manhood at 
his birthplace, receiving a preparatory education in the Powhattan High 
Schools. He entered the West Alexandria Academy of Pennsylvania, 
and from this he entered the senior class in the Franklin College, of 
Athens, Ohio, graduating with honors in June, 1869. He also completed 
a scientific course in Latin and Greek. In September, 1869, he entered 
the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, 
and graduated in April, 1872. Before he had finished his course he 
received a call from the churches of Hamilton and Wythe, of Illinois, 
and after leaving college he filled these pulpits for eighteen months as a 
supply minister. In Octol er, 1873, he received a call from the Union 
Presbyterian Church of Maryville. He took charge of the church as 
pastor in February, 1874, and was ordained and regulary installed as 
pastor in April, of the same year. Since that time he has been an 
active worker here, and has not held a communion service during this 
time but what there have been several additions to the church. During 
the year 1 88 1 forty-one members were added. Mr. Workman was 
married December 16, 1876, to Miss Louise I. Howater, daughter of 
Henry and Eliza Howater, of Knoxville. She is a graduate of Wesleyan 
University of Athens, Tennessee. 

ELI WRAY, 

fanner and stock raiser, section 25, was born in Monroe County, West 
Virginia, December 25, 1812. His father, Thomas, was a native of Rock- 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 86 1 

ingham County, West Virginia, and his mother, Rachel (Neal) Wray, 
was born in Bedford County, Virginia. Eli remained in his native 
count)' till twelve years of age, when, with his parents, he moved to 
Orange County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and was educated in 
the old-fashioned subscription schools. In the fall of 1855, he emigrated 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has since resided, at that time 
the county being but a wilderness and abounding with game. During 
the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Millitia. Mr. W. has taken 
quite an interest in educational matters, and has been a member of the 
school board for many terms. He now has a landed estate of 280 acres, 
from which he has an excellent view of the city of Maryville. Politically 
he is a Republican. He was married June, 1838, to Miss Mary Wise- 
man, who was born September 3, 18 [9, and is a native of Virginia. They 
have eleven children living : Alonzo, born April 15, 1839 > George W., 
born March 5, 1841 ; John J., born March 9, 1843 > Sarah S.,born January 
19, 1847, (now Mrs. William Sheldon); Samuel M., born March 18, 1849; 
Alvin A., born July 5, 1851 ; Alfred N.,born February 8, 1854; Lorania, 
born February 12, 1856, (now Mrs. Frank'in Maxon); Mary F., born 
June 3, 1858 ; Lettie J., born April 25, 1861 ; William H., born December 
27, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. W. are active members of the M. E. Church, he 
having been a class leader for forty years. His brother and uncle 
organized the first Sabbath School in the vicinity under a willow tree. 

I. N. WRAY 

is of the firm of Wray & Moore, dealers in staple and fancy groceries 
and provisions. This firm, although comparatively a new one, is nev- 
ertheless doing a very extensive business. They have a large and com- 
plete stock in their line, and as business men, are well and favorably 
known. The senior member of the firm, I. N. Wray, is a native of Ohio, 
and was born December 8, 1839. At the age of fourteen years he accom- 
panied the family to Missouri and settled in this county, where he was 
reared to manhood and received his education, spending his boyhood in 
agricultural pursuits. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted July 
17, 1861, in Company I, First Nevada Regiment, and served till July 1, 
1866. During that time he participated in many hard fought battles, 
among which were Shiloh, and from there through the Arkansas cam- 
paign. At the close of his term of service in 1866, he returned to this 
county and was elected sheriff, serving for two years. He then resumed 
farming, till, in 1870, he was again elected to the office of sheriff and 
held the position till 1872. It may truthfully be said of him that he dis- 
charged his duties, with credit to the county and honor to himself. He 
was engaged in tilling the soil till 1876, when he was appointed asses- 
sor of this township, and on June 6, 188 1, he became associated with 



862 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Mr. Kuenster in business under the firm name of Kuenster & Wray. 
This co-partnership existed till December of that year, when Mr. Moore 
became a partner. Mr. Wray was united in marriage December 31, 
1866, to Miss Sarah Crane, a native of Indiana. They have seven child- 
ren : Minnie, Harold, Ernest, Burton, Katie, Vern and Roland. He is 
a member of Nodaway Lodge of the A. F. and A. M., of this city, also a 
member of White Cloud Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F. He was president of 
the Fair Association of this county for one year. 

HENRY T. WRAY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 23, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, 
April 13, 1844. His father, John Wray, was born in Monroe County, 
Virginia, and his mother, Sarah (Wiseman) Wray, was a native of Rock- 
ingham County, Virginia. Henry was taken to Gallia County, Ohio, in 
1845, and remained there until 1853, when his parents moved west, and 
wintered in Hillsboro, Henry County, Iowa. In the spring of 1854 they 
came to Nodaway County, and settled in Polk Township, though the 
county was then wild and unsettled. On this frontier Henry was raised 
to manhood on the farm, receiving an education, such as the country 
schools afforded. Becoming proficient in the use of tools, he did all his 
own carpenter work, and he does so at present. During the war he was 
a strong Union man. He first served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, 
and in July, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-third Missouri Vol- 
unteer Infantry. Being ill, he was unfit for duty most of the time. He 
filled the office of sergeant, and was discharged on account of disability, 
June 30, 1865. He takes a great interest in educational matters, and 
has served some nine consecutive years as clerk of the district. He 
owns his old homestead of twenty-eight acres and an interest in 300 
acres. Mr. Wray is a strong Republican. He was married February 25, 
1863, to Miss Maria A. Partridge, a native of Clark County, Illinois, 
born June 23, 1845. They have nine children living : Theodore K., born 
November 21, 1864; Albert A., born April 30, 1866; William N., born 
April 10, 1868 ; J. Carroll, born October 22, 1869 ; Edith L., born Janu- 
ary 3, 1872 ; Perris E., born September 20, 1874; George T., born July 
18, 1876; Frank W., born October 23, 1878, and Charles H., born Octo- 
ber 3, 1880. Mr. Wray has always been an active Christian worker in 
the M. E. Church. He was licensed to preach at the conference held at 
Mound City, Holt County, Missouri, in November, 1881, and now fills 
some appointments, often officiating as class leader. 

W. YEHLE, 

proprietor of meat market, was born in Baden, Germany,' on the 6th of 
July, 1826. He was reared to manhood at his birthplace, receiving fair 



POLK TOWNSHIP. 863 

educational advantages, and in 1857 immigrated to America, landing at 
New York. He first settled in Morgan County, Illinois, where he was 
engaged in stock dealing and butchering. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted 
as a private in Company L, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, and served until the 
close of the war, being promoted to first lieutenant. He took part in 
the battles of Nashville, Franklin, Port Hudson and many others, serving 
under Ben Grearson. At the close of the war he again settled in Morgan 
County, and engaged in stock dealing and shipping stock to New York 
City for John D. Alexander. Coming to Nodaway County, he located 
at Maryville, January 30, 1868, and here embarked in stock dealing, ship- 
ping and butchering. He soon opened his meat market, one of the finest 
in the city. He owns twenty-seven acres of land inside the corporation 
of Maryville, and has his grounds well arranged. He also has a great 
many grapes and 600 apple trees, and is engaged in dealing quite largely 
in stock shipping to Chicago. Mr. Yehle was married in 1867 to Jose- 
phine Wisenburg, a native of Baden, Germany. They have three chil- 
dren : Conrad, born November 25, 1869; Lambert, born March 31, 1878; 
and Katie, born May 5, 1880. They are members of the Catholic Church 
of Maryville. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 



i(&«i&i 



A. ALDAY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, is a native of Charlotte County, Vir- 
ginia, and was born April 13, 1825. In 1832, with his parents, he moved 
to Ross County, Ohio, and settled some eight miles east of Chillicothe 
on a farm. His father, who was in the war of 1812, was a native of North 
Carolina. His mother was a native of Virginia. Mr. Alday was married 
in Illinois to Miss Edith Dixon, who died in 1864, leaving three children : 
Susan, William and Martha E. He was married the second time in 
1867, to Miss C. Morris, a native of Washington County, Ohio. She was 
born October I, 1842, and subsequently, with her parents, moved to Indi- 
ana. By this union they have two children, Harvey and Ada. Mr. A. 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, of Quitman. Mrs. A. is a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church. His farm comprises 80 acres of fine 
land under good cultivation, with abundance of fruit. 



864 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

WILLIAM P. BACON, 

farmer, section 23, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and was born 
April 1, 1823. He was a son of John W. and Elizabeth Bacon. The 
former was born in England in 1786, being a nephew of Lord Bacon, of 
that country. The mother was a native of Virginia, born in 1783. With 
her parents she moved to Kentucky. Here she was married, and with 
her husband settled in Hamilton County, Ohio. The elder Bacon died 
in i860, and his wife in i860, also. William spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in his native state. He was married to Martha 
D. Home, who was born June 6, 1822. She died December 12, 1853, 
leaving one child living: Mary E. Emma R. was deceased. Mr. Bacon 
married the second time in March, 1875, Miss Leah Graves, a native of 
Vinton County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Nathan D. and Sarah 
Graves. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bacon settled in Stark 
Illinois, improving a fine farm of eighty acres. Upon selling out they 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and here Mr. B. purchased his 
present farm of 160 acres of finely improved land. Their family con- 
sists of two children : Dora M. and Ira P. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members 
of the United Brethren Church. 

JOHN H. BAKER, 

farmer and bridge builder, section 7, was born in Owen County, Indiana, 
January 25, 1830, and was a son of David and Aria (Johnson) Baker, who 
were natives of Henry County, Kentucky. The former was born in 
February, 1800, and died in June, 1880. His mother was born January 
1, 1805. After being married they settled in Owen Count}-, Indiana, 
near Gosport, in 1840, and there Mrs. Baker now resides with a daugh- 
ter. John spent his boyhood days and received a good education in his 
native county. He started out in life for himself as a farmer when at 
the age of twenty-one years. He was married the 2d of March, 185 1, to 
Miss Rachel Pierson, a native of Owen County, Indiana, born May 8, 
1830. She was the daughter of George W. and Sarah (Crafton) Pierson, 
the former of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and the latter a native of Vir- 
ginia. They settled in Scott County, Indiana, and here the mother died 
and the father was married the second time. Mr. and Mrs. Baker set- 
tled in (Owen Count}-, Indiana, purchasing a farm, and in 1856 sold out 
and moved to Gosport, where he did a butchering business till [858. He 
then bought a farm and continued farming till 1868, when he sold out 
and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, purchasing his present farm in 
[869. To this he moved in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. 15. have a family of : 
John H. Jr., Florence F., Harriet C. and Schuyler C, living, and Charles, 
Vinson, Sarah A., Alice A., Mar}- E. and Harrison ()., deceased. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baker are members of the Christian Church. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 865 

JOHN S. BILBY, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 19. This gentleman's farm consists of 
some 7,000 acres, situated on the west side of the Nodaway River. He 
is a native of Morris County, New Jersey, and was born January 19, 1833, 
being a son of John and Delilah (Slikes) Bilby, both natives of the same 
•county and state. The father is now deceased. The mother still resides 
in New Jersey. After being married, they settled within a mile of their 
birthplace. John S. spent his boyhood days and received his education 
in his native county, and learned the carpenter trade. In 1856, he went 
to Fulton County, Illinois, and worked at his trade till 1859, when he 
purchased a farm, and devoted his time to farming and raising stock. 
This he continued till 1861, when he moved to McDonough County, Illi- 
nois, and soon became one of the largest live stock shippers of that part 
of Illinois, and also owned a large amount of land. In March, 1868, he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and becoming pleased with the 
country, he soon purchased some 500 acres, near where he now resides, 
and began the life of a cattle feeder. He was married January 24, 1859, 
to Miss Margaret M. Applegate, a native of Morris County, New Jersey, 
born on the 25th of December, 1832. She was a daughter of Moses and 
Mary M. (Mesinger) Applegate, the former a native of Salem County, 
New Jersey. He was born in November, 1784, and died in December, 
1864. The mother was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 
December 25, 1794, and died March 16, 1846. They were married in 
181 1. Mr. B.'s religious preferences are with the M. E. Church. Mrs. 
B. is a Presbyterian. Their family consists of four children : Francis E., 
J. E., R. I. and N. Y. 

REUBEN BRUNSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, is a native of New York, and was born 
March 20, 1825, the son of Seymour and Harriet (Gould) Brunson. His 
father was born in 1796, and died in 1836. His mother was born in 1801, 
and died in 1879. They were married and settled in New York, after- 
wards moved to Kirkland, Eake County, Ohio, and in a few years to 
Hancock County, Illinois. Here the father died. When at the age of 
twelve years, on July 4, 1837, by the explosion of a powder flask, Reuben 
lost his right hand and was crippled in the left one. He then worked 
on a farm in Adams County, Illinois, contriving to do most all kinds of 
farm work. He was married June 10, 1847, to Miss Adeline E. Sweat, a 
native of Vermont, born September 10, 1830. She was a daughter of 
James and Cynthia Sweat. Mr. and Mrs. Brunson settled on a farm in 
Adams County, Illinois, and in 1871 came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and purchased their present farm. They are members of the Christian 
Church. Their family consists of Jerusha, Harriet, Henry, Eilybern, 
Charles, Albert, George and John. Emma J. is deceased. 



866 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

A. L. CALLAWAY, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 26, was born in Woodford County, 111., 
October 1, 1840, and is a son of William D. and Amanda J. (Wigington) 
Callaway, who were natives of Christian County, Kentucky. The 
father was born in 1803, and the mother in 1S13. She died April 4, 
1876. They had settled in Caldwell County, Kentucky, he being a 
wheelwright by trade, and from there moved to Woodford County, Illi- 
nois, in 1836, being among the first pioneers in that county. In 1839, 
they located in Putnam County, Illinois, and, in 1846, returned to, Ken- 
tucky, and thence to Cass County, Illinois. In 1853, Menard County, 
Illinois, became their home, coming next to Graham, Nodaway County, 
Missouri, in 1872, and to Holt County, Missouri, in 1877. Alfred passed 
his youth in Cass and Menard Counties, Illinois, and May 6, 1861, he 
enlisted as a private, for three months, in the Fourteenth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He was mustered out August 3, of the same year. He 
then re-enlisted in Company F, Twenty-eighth Volunteer Infantry? 
being mustered in the 23d of August, 1861. He was in the battles of 
Fort Henry, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth, Hatchie River, Cold 
Water, Collinsville, Tennessee, siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jackson, 
Vidalia, Mississipi, Fort Spanish and Whistle Station. The regiment 
was sent to Brownville, Texas, in July, 1865, and remained there till 
1866. He was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, April 6, 1866, as 
first lieutenant. Mr. Callaway returned to Menard County, Illinois, and 
February 7, 1867, he was married to Mary E. Bracking, a native of 
Menard County, Illinois, born May 22, 1848. She is the daughter of 
James and Arminda (Blaine) Bracking. The former was born in Bath 
County, Kentucky, February 13, 1820, and the latter in Menard County, 
in 1828. They were married in 1847, and then settled in Menard 
County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Callaway located in Menard County, 
Illinois, and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1871, settling some 
five miles northwest of Quitman. His farm consists of 200 acres of 
finely improved land. Their family consists of seven children living, 
and one dead : Herbert, Arthur, Paul, Lottie A., Harry D., Chauncy, 
and Alfred. Frankie J. is deceased. 

F. M. DAVIS, 

physician, Quitman, a native of Butler County, Ohio, was born March 9, 
1 83 1, and is a son of Vincent and Anna A. (Smalley) Davis. The for- 
mer was a native of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and was born February 
16, 1782. With his parents he moved to Butler County, Ohio, in 1804, 
his father being the owner of the first grist mill in that locality. Vin- 
cent's parents returned to New Jersey in 1806. He married Miss Anna 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 867 

Smalley in 1808, she having been born in New Jersey but raised in Penn- 
sylvania. With her parents she moved to Butler County, Ohio, in 1805. 
Mr. and Mrs. D. settled in Butler County, Ohio, he dying March 30, 
1872, and his wife March 16, 1877. Francis M. Davis spent his boy- 
hood days and received an excellent education in his native county. He 
commenced the study of medicine when at the age of eighteen years, in 
the office of Dr. Warhor, remaining for two years, and during the winter 
of 1855-6 he attended lectures at the Miami Medical College at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. In the spring of 1856 he went to Lee County, Iowa, and 
speculated in stock and land till October 4, 1861, when he enlisted in 
Company G, Fourth Regiment Iowa Cavalry. He was promoted to sec- 
ond lieutenant September 4, 1862, and to captain February 25, 1863. 
He participated in the battle of Milligan's Bend, and was with General 
Curtis through Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He resigned June 
26, 1863, on account of disability then returned to Iowa and visited Salt 
Lake City in the summer of 1865. During that fall he went to Cincin- 
nati and again attended lectures. He graduated March 3, 1876, with 
the highest honors of the college, and located at Wheeling, Indiana, 
where he practiced till the fall of 1881. He then went to Woodsdale, 
Ohio, and in November, 1881, came to Quitman, Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. Dr. Davis was married February 19, 185 1, to Miss Elizabeth 
Taylor, a native of Butler County, Ohio. She was born August 1, 1830, 
and is a daughter of Francis and Matilda (Swearinger) Taylor. She 
died February 20, 1880, leaving three children: Edward W., Anna M., 
and Ben S. One son, John, is deceased. The Doctor's second marriage 
occurred July 12, [880, to Miss Mary E. Spencer, a native of Howard 
County, Indiana, who was born October 23, 1850. Her parents were 
Elijah and Mary (Gibson) Davis, both of Ohio. They were married in 
January, 1849, a »d then settled in Howard County, Indiana, and moved 
to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1865. Mrs. Davis is a member of the 
M. E. Church. 

MARSHALL FORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 7, is a native of Pulaski County, Ken- 
tucky, and was born May 27, 18 19. His parents were Reuben and Eliz- 
abeth (Petty) Ford. The father was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, 
and was raised in Madison County, Virginia. He was born in 1786 and 
died in 1854. The mother was born and raised in Culpeper County, 
Virginia. She was born in 1790 and died in 1849. They were married in 
1809 and settled in Virginia, and moved to Pulaski County, Kentucky, 
near Somerset, where they settled on a farm. Marshall spent his 
youth and received his education in his native county. He started out 
in life as a farmer. August 12, 1841, he was married to Miss Lucy A. 
Hutchison, a native of Wayne County, Kentucky, born August 7, 1826. 



868 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

She is a daughter of Wm. Hutchison, a native of North Carolina, born 
in 1801, and Susan (Weaver) Hutchison, a native of Madison County, 
Virginia, born, in 1802. The former died in 1834. They were married 
in 1820, and settled in Wayne County, Kentucky, where the mother 
still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Ford located in Wayne County, Kentucky, on 
a farm, and in 1847 moved to Pulaski County, remaining there till 1850. 
They then sold their property, and with the family moved to Missouri 
and settled in Andrew County, near Savannah. In 1853 tne y came to 
Nodaway County and purchased a farm six miles northeast of Mary- 
ville, and in 1857 returned to Andrew County. The year following Mr. 
F. purchased and settled on his present farm, consisting of 240 acres of 
finely improved land, with good buildings and fruit. Mr. Ford is a dis- 
tant relative of Chief Justice Marshall, of Kentucky. Mrs. Ford is a 
member of the Christian Church. He is a Mason in good standing. 
They have seven children living : Susan H., Jennetta C, Belle T., Jef- 
ferson D., Albert S. J., Fannie K., Marshall J. They have lost five chil- 
dren : Allen W., Margaret, Cassius M., James P., and Catherine H. His 
grandfather, Petty, emigrated from England as tailor for a colony in 
Virginia. 

JOHN B. GARTON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 6. This pioneer was born in Switzer- 
land County, Indiana, January 12, 1814, the son of Tockeria and Polly 
(Miller) Garton, who were natives of Kentucky. The father was born 
the 6th of March, 178 1, and died on the 19th of August, 1852. The 
mother was born in 1783, and died in 1856. They were married June 14, 
1804, and then settled in Switzerland County, Indiana, moving from 
there to Decatur County, Indiana, and then to Buchanan Count)', Mis- 
souri, in 1839, locating near DeKalb. John's boyhood days were passed 
in his native state. May 2j, 1833, he married Miss Louisa Loyd, 
who died in June, 1839, leaving three children : William Zackary, 
Rebecca M. and A. J. Mr. G., with his children, then came to Missouri. 
He was married the second time August 6, 1840, to Miss Sarah Hedge- 
path, a native of Green County, Kentucky, born July 29, 1816. She was 
a daughter of James and Ruth H. (Jones) Hedgepath, natives of Vir- 
ginia. The father was born in 1769, and died in 1843 ; the mother was 
born in 1770, and died in 1840. They were married in 1 7 S S . Mr. and 
Mrs. Garton settled in Nodaway Count)-, Missouri, near Graham, in 
1841, and in 1849 moved to St. Joseph, but returned to "Nodaway County 
in [852 and located in Green township. Mrs. G. died April 17, 1874, 
leaving the following children : Rutha A., born April 29, 1841. (supposed 
to be the eldest person now living who was born in Nodaway Count)- ; 
James 1!., Bathana E., John C, Louis J. and George W. now living, ami 
Mary E., Sarah J. and Joel A. deceased. Mr. Garton was married the 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 869 

third time March 18, 1875, to Miss Adaline Burton, a native of Pulaski 
County, Kentucky, born October 14, 1826. Her parents were Samuel 
and Margaret Burton. Rutha A. Garton was married to Mr. E. H. 
Bentley, May 3, 1863. He was a native of Rush County, Kentucky, 
where he was born October 3, 1839. He came to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, in 1852, and died June 29, 1875, leaving a family of : Emma 
J., Bunyan L. and Sarah W. living, and Milton R. deceased. 

JOHN GROOM. 

John Groom was born in Clark County, Kentucky, May 1, 1817. 
William Groom and Mary Groom, his father and mother, were Ken- 
tuckians by birth. In the beginning of the year 1820, William Groom 
removed with his family to what is now Boone County, Missouri, where 
he remained through the winter of r820-l. In the spring of 1821, he 
removed thence to Clay County, Missouri, where he continued to make 
his home until his death, March 14, 1822. William Groom left surviv- 
ing him his widow and seven children, four boys and three girls. In 
1826, his mother married John McGill. John Groom lived with his 
mother and stepfather until the year 1833. Shortly after his marriage 
with Mrs. Groom, John McGill was appointed Indian agent among the 
Kaws, under General William Clark, the companion of Captain Meri- 
wether Lewis, in the expedition to explore the northwestern territory. 
After this appointment, young Groom removed with his stepfather to 
the agency, sixty-five miles west of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After a 
stay of four or five years at the agency, John Groom came to Clinton 
County, Missouri, where he remained a few months, and thence removed 
with his stepfather to Old Agency Ford, in Buchanan County, Missouri, 
where he engaged in the business of blacksmithing. There he located a 
claim on 160 acres of land, and remained on it two years. On the 8th 
of August, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Headrich, 
daughter of Joseph Headrich, of Buchanan County. In 1834, a company 
of sixteen dragoons, commanded by Lieutenant Parks, from Fort Leav- 
enworth, came to his cabin, which he had built on his claim. The com- 
pany had orders to demolish all cabins found within the reservation, 
afterwards known as the Platte Purchase. They tore off his clapboard 
roof, but being hospitably entertained by Mr. Groom, they left without 
doing further injury to his humble dwelling. While an infant, in the 
year 1820, he was several times taken to the house of Colonel Daniel 
Boone. His sister, Sarah Groom, afterwards in 1837, married Lindsay 
Boone, grandson of that renowned hunter. In 1832, he visited Joseph 
Robidoux, who then lived in a little log hut, covered with clapboards, 
and located near the mouth of the Blacksnake. The place was 
called Robidoux' Landing. Joseph Robidoux occupied this tene- 



§70 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ment with his two squaws. Hearing that his wife was expected on 
a certain steamboat, he endeavored when the boat came in sight 
to rid himself of his housekeepers. One he persuaded to leave. 
The other was obstinate, and Robidoux was compelled to throw 
her out the window. The fall broke one of her legs. Robidoux 
had her carefully nursed until she recovered. In 1843 Mr. Groom 
removed from Buchanan to DeKalb County, when he purchased a farm 
near Maysville. From this place he removed in 1854 to Nodaway County. 
He located west of the Nodaway River, and there entered 200 acres of 
land. This land is now owned by George Malvern and John Woods. 
Here he lived until 1866, when he removed to the farm on which he now 
lives, which is the southwest quarter of section 19, township 65, of range 
37, in Green Township. Mr. Groom has six children now living, namely: 
Joseph, John, Newton, Aaron Wesley, Jacob and Robert. The last two 
are minors and live with their father. Jo'seph married Sarah Jane Ran- 
dalls, of Kentucky; John married Annie Osborn, of Nodaway County; 
and Newton married Dora Thueman, of Nodaway County. All the 
married sons are farmers and live near their father. Aaron Wesley is 
single and lives with his father. When John Grooms first settled in the 
valley of the Nodaway River the last bear had perished by the hunts- 
man's rifle, a few deer still remained, prairie chickens and turkeys 
abounded, wolves were numerous and destroyed all the sheep of the 
farmer. Thieving bands of Pottawatomies, from their reservation in 
Kansas, frequently visited the lost hunting grounds, and were seen camp- 
ing or hunting in the valley. At the celebration of the Fourth of July, 
1880, Mr. Groom was the recipient of a silver-headed cane, as being 
one of the oldest settlers of the Platte Purchase. As is the case with 
most of our pioneers, Mr. Groom has always enjoyed the most perfect 
health. Although now in his sixty-fifth year, his vigorous frame and 
serenity of mind give promise that his life, like that of Daniel Boone, 
who dangled him when a baby on his knee, will be prolonged to four 
score and ten. 

JOHN GWIN, 

farmer, section 30, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, December 25, 
1842. His parents, Daniel and Mary (James) Gwin, were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. After their marriage they settled in Morrow Count)', Ohio, 
moving from there to Richland County, Wisconsin, in 1854, where they 
settled on a farm. The father was born in 1803, and died in 1876. The 
mother died in August, 1854. John spent his boyhood days and received 
a good education in Wisconsin. He enlisted, in the fall of 1861, in 
Company D, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in the 
battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Big Black, Fort Blakely 
and Spanish Fort. IK- was mustered out September 4, 1865, at Madi- 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 871 

son, Wisconsin. Mr. Gwin was married October 20, 1867, to Miss Ada 
Dodge, a native of Richland Count)-, Wisconsin, born October 4, 1849. 
She died January 8, 1870, leaving- two children, Charles and Jessie. 
They settled in Wisconsin, and moved to Illinois, and then to Atchi- 
son County, Missouri, in 1875, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 
1878. Mr. G. was married the second time, to Mrs. Sarah A. Gill, whose 
maiden name was O'Neal. She was a native of Green Count}-, Wiscon- 
sin, born August 17, 1847. She first married Edwin Gill, April 15, 1866, 
who was born January 14, 1843. He died March 7, 1876, leaving four 
children : Erwin E., Gordon G., Fred and Frankie K. 

JOSEPH HEADRICK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 31, was born in Howard County, Mis- 
souri, December 10, 1829, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Wilds) 
Headrick, natives of Garrard County, Kentucky. His father was born 
in 1793. and died in September, 1858. His mother, who was born in 
1783, died in November, 1866. After being married, they settled in 
Howard County, Missouri, in 1822, moved to Cooper County in 1834, 
and to Clay County in 1839. In 1840 Buchanan County became their 
home, they locating near Gower, Clinton Count}-, and remained till 
1846, when they moved to Holt County, coming to Nodaway County in 
the spring of 1854. The}' settled where the subject of this sketch now 
resides. Joseph spent his boyhood days mostly in Buchanan County, 
and with his parents came to Nodaway County. During the year 1848 
he freighted in Nebraska. He was married November 12, 1849, to Miss 
Elizabeth Alford, a native of Virginia. She was a daughter of James 
and Margaret Alford, who settled in Holt County. She died December 
16, 1856, leaving three children: Miranda J., James T., and Maggie E. 
Mr. H. was married the second time, November 8, 1857, to Miss Mary 
McCarty, a native of Missouri, born October 10, 1837. Her parents 
were James and Nancy McCarty. By this union they have four children 
living : Mary B., Sarah C, John E., and Robert F.; an infant son, Martha 
A., and Joseph W., are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. H. and two children are 
members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. His farm comprises some 394 acres of improved land. 

HENRY HITCHCOCK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, a native of Madison Count}-, New- 
York, was born July 18, 1837, and is a son of J. and C. (Hamlin) Hitch- 
cock. The former was born in Bristol, Connecticut, August 19, 1803. 
The mother, a native of Connecticut, was born Jul}- 12, 1805. They 
were married December 27, 1826, and then settled in Madison County, 



872 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

New York. Mrs. H. died October 8, 1848, and Mr. H. was married the 
second time in 1852, to Maria Hamlin. In 1853 they moved to Wau- 
kesha County, Wisconsin. He died September 22, 1853. Henry Hitch- 
cock spent his boyhood days and received his education in his native 
county, and with his parents he moved to Wisconsin, remaining at the 
homestead until 1861. He then enlisted in Company C, Twenty-eighth 
Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged 
for disability. He returned to Wisconsin and sold out his interest and 
came to Nodaway County, purchasing a farm near Maryville in 1865. 
This he sold and then bought his present farm in 1866. He was mar- 
ried October 22, 1868, to Miss Martha E. Shell, a native of Platte County, 
Missouri. She was born August 31, 1850, and was a daughter of Solo- 
mon and Sarah (Lemmons) Shell, the former of North Carolina, born 
February 11, 1815, and the mother a native of Clark County, Indiana, 
was born August 17, 1820. They were married September 27, 1837, and 
settled in Indiana, moving to Platte County, Missouri, in 1841, and to 
Nodaway Count}' in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. H. are both members of the 
Christian Church. Their family consists of John S., C. J., Era L., Henry, 
George Sidney, Alfred B., and Charles A., living; they lost one daughter* 
Mary. 

J. M. HOLT, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 10, was born in Bedford Count}', Tenn., 
May 24, 18 19, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Holt. His father was a 
native of Ireland, and his mother of North Carolina. They were mar- 
ried in 1815, and then became residents of Bedford Count}', Tennessee. 
There the senior Holt died. In 1850, the subject of this sketch, with 
his mother, moved to Clay County, Missouri, and in 1855 to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, settling where he now resides. He was married the 
19th of November, 1840, to Miss Harriet J. Ayers, a native of Bedford 
County, Tennessee. She was born July 19, 1823, and was a daughter of 
Moses and Mary Ayers, natives of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Holt have 
seven children living : Moses H., Alexander, John W., Elgivia, George 
M., L. R. and A. J. They have lost three : Mary, William J. and Phebe 
J. Both Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church. He is a 
member of Quitman Lodge, No. 196, of the Masonic fraternity, and one 
of the leading citizens of Green Township. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. 
McOuittie's company under Gen. Price, and was in service till July.. (.852. 
He was once arrested for treason, but was afterwards discharged. 

J. E. HUFF, 

farmer, section 6. This gentleman was born in McLean Count}', Illinois, 
April 21, 1853. U' s parents were Thomas J. and Martha (Hastings) 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 875, 

Huff. The former, a native of Virginia, was born in October, 1827, and 
died February 21, 1871. His mother was born in Indiana in 1833, and 
died in 1 87 1. They were married in 1852, and thm settled in McLean 
County, Illinois, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1859. They 
located one mile west of Quitman. J. E. passed his youth and received, 
his education in Nodaway County, Missouri. He was married Septem- 
ber 10, 1875, to Miss Sarah McCormick, a native of Adair County, Illi- 
nois, born April 2, 1856. She was the daughter of John and Nancy 
McCormick. natives of Tennessee. After being married, they became 
located in McLean County, Illinois, and subsequently moved to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, and from there went to Kansas. The family of 
Mr. and Mrs. Huff consists of two children : Martin C, born August 10, 
1877, and James C, born August 21, 1879. Mr - Huff is a member of 
Comet Lodge, No. 284, I. O. O F., of Quitman. His farm consists of 
280 acres of improved land. 

EPHRAIM JOHNSTON, 

farmer, section 24, was born in Ross County, Ohio, on the 7th of May,. 
1823, and is the son of George and Nancy Johnston, the former of Rock- 
ingham County, Virginia, and his mother a native of Shippingsburg, 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Johnston died in 1843, and his wife in 1855. They 
were married in 1800, and then settled in Ross County, Ohio, eleven- 
miles south of Chillicothe. Ephraim spent his boyhood days and 
received a common school education in his native county. He also, 
attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and in 1845,. 
returned to the homestead, where he devoted his time to farming. He' 
was married April 9, 1846, to Miss Rebecca Jones, a native of Ross- 
County, Ohio, born February 13, 1827. She is a daughter of Henry and 
Rachel (CorkenJ Jones, Her father was a native of New Jersey, born, 
February 22, 1791, and died March 16, 1871. He was in the war of 1812. 
Her mother was a native of Redstone, Pennsylvania,.born December 23,. 
1796. She is now a resident of Ross County, Ohio. They were married, 
in 1816, after which they settled in Ross County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnston settled in their native county,, and there remained till 1853,. 
when they moved to Jackson County, Ohio. In 1859, they became resi- 
dents of Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, and in 1862, came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, locating where they now reside, some five miles south- 
west of Burlington Junction. They are both members of the M. E. 
Church. Mr. J. enlisted in 1864, in Company I, -- Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry, and did post duty at Columbus, Tennessee, and Camp Doug- 
las, Chicago. He was mustered out at St. Louis, and discharged in. 
July, 1865. He then returned to his home, and devoted his time to farm- 
ing. Mr. and Mrs. J. have eight children by this union : Augustus. Ade- 



874 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

line, Clara, Rachel, Milton, Howard, Henry W. and Edward. Lost one, 
Eva, who was born September 17, i860. She died December 18, 1862. 

AUGUSTUS JOHNSTON, 

Quitman. This gentleman is the senior member of the firm of Johnston 
& Radford, merchants. The general stock, with the building, is invoiced 
at $18,000. Mr. J. is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and was born on the 
4th of February, 1847. He is the eldest son of Ephraim and Rebecca 
(Jones) Johnston, who were married April 9, 1846. They settled in Ross 
County, Ohio, and in 1853 moved to Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1859 
returned to Ross County, there remaining till 1862. The)' then came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled northwest of Quitman, where he 
now resides. Augustus passed his boyhood days and received a good 
education in his native county. He accompanied his parents on their 
various moves, and when he came to Missouri had in his possession some 
$30. For two years he devoted his time during the summer months in 
assisting his father on the farm and in winters he taught school. In 
1869 he leased 160 acres of uncultivated land and improved it. In 1870 
he purchased 160 acres, made excellent improvements upon it, and on 
the 1st of January, 1878, with his partner, he bought the entire stock of 
merchandise of J. J. Daniels & Co. He has since continued in the mer- 
cantile business. Mr. Johnston married, on the 9th of April, 1874, Miss 
Henrietta Woods, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born Ma}- iS, 1854. 
She is a daughter of Jesse and Martha (Spencer) Woods, who were natives 
of Licking County, Ohio. Her father was born January 8, 1812, and her 
mother June 3, 1815. They were married September 3, 1835, and then 
settled in Licking Count}', Ohio. In 1855 the}' moved to LeRoy, McLean 
County, Illinois, and to Menard Count}' in 1859, coming to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are both members of 
the M. E. Church. Mr. J. is a member of Lodge No. 284 of the I. O. O. 
F. Their family consists of five children living: Ida M., born January 
23, 1875 ; Flora E., born March 21, 1877; Ed. M., born September 6, 1878 ; 
Alma J., born February 26, 1880; and Rebecca, born December 12, 1881. 

W. T. LONG, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 11, a worth}' citizen of this township 
is a native of Madison County, Kentucky, and was born on the 16th of 
June, 1836. His parents were L. D. and Cynthia (Phelps) Long. The 
former, a native of Virginia, was born in 1809. He was shot at his resi- 
dence by a party of bushwhackers on July 21, 1864. The mother of W. 
T. was a native of Madison County, Kentucky. After they were mar- 
ried they settled in Madison Count}-, Kentucky, and here the mother 



GREEN TOY'NSHIP. 875 

died in 1838. The father was married the second time, and then moved 
to Chariton Count}-, Missouri, in 1847. William spent his boyhood days 
and received his education in Chariton County, Missouri. In i860 he 
went to Clinton County, Missouri, and worked on a farm till February 2, 
1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Sixth Regiment Missouri Militia, 
and did scouting duty in Missouri till March 1, 1865. He was mustered 
out at St. Louis, then returned to Clinton County, Missouri, and was 
married to Miss Eliza Allnutt, a native of Clinton County, born Decem- 
ber 17, 1839. She was a daughter of N. H. and Esther (Parker) Allnutt, 
who were natives of Madison Count}-, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Long 
came to Nodaway Count} 7 in 1868, and settled where the}- now- reside. 
Their family consists of seven children : W. D., born September 15, 
1867 ; Hester Bell, born July 24, 1869; Thomas N., born April 12, 1871; 
C. A., born November 27, 1872; Maggie, born September 15, 1874; 
Frederick, born May 15, 1876. and Elgiva, born February 23, 1878. 

H. B. LUCE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 19, is a native of Long Island, and was 
born December 10, 1835. His parents were John and Mary (Tuthill) 
Luce. The former, a native of Long Island, was born May 28, 1808, and 
died January 7, 1878. His mother was born on Long Island February 
14, 18 1 2. John Luce was commander of a trading vessel. He and his 
wife finally settled on Long Island on a farm, remaining there till the 
spring of 1851, when they moved to Erie County, Ohio. They resided 
on a farm till 1857, then moved to Clark Count}', Missouri, but after 
selling out, located in Iriquois County, Illinois, in 1861. There Mrs. 
Luce now resides. Her husband was a son of John T. and Rachel 
(Terry) Luce, the former born in 1786 and died 1852, and the latter born 
in 1787 and died in 1842. John T. Luce's parents were Abraham and 
Jemima. The father was born in 1758 and died in 1843. The mother 
was born in 1766 and died in 1850. Abraham was a son of Eleazer and 
Prudence Luce. Eleazer was born in 1729 and died in 1792, and Pru- 
dence died in 1820. Eleazer's father, PLleazer Sr., who was born in 1700, 
died in 1759. The paternal name of Eleazer's father was also Eleazer, 
who was born in 1673. He was a son of Abner, who came from Martha's 
Vineyard in 1697 and settled on Long Island, possessing that tract of 
land north of Luce's Landing. Eleazer finally sold out and moved to 
the Black District, some fort}- miles northwest of New York City. 
The origin of the name comes from Louis VII., now Luce. Henry B. 
Luce, the one whose name heads this sketch, spent his boyhood days at 
Long Island and Erie Count}-, Ohio. He graduated from Bryant & 
Stratton's Business College at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1857. He was in the 
employ of the Cleveland & Toledo Railway for some four years, and 



876 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

with his parents then came to Clark County, Missouri, in 1858. He went 
to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1859, an ^ January 19, 1866, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Ernestin A. Rogers, a native of Henry County, Indiana, 
born October 19, 1836. She was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Barnes) 
Rogers. Her father was a native of Virginia, born January 2, 1800. He 
died August 21, 1854. Her mother, a native of Virginia, was born 
August 26, 1797, and died July 6, 1868. After being married they settled 
in Virginia and moved to Henry County, Indiana, in 1841. They became 
located in Andrew County, Missouri, and in 1866 moved to Doniphan 
County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Luce are members of the M. E. Church. 
Their family consists of seven children: John W., Mary E., Permelia 
A., Alice S., Charles H., Alta B. and Albert L. 

E. M. MANNING, M. D., 

Quitman, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, on November 12, 
1839, being the son of James and Susan (Ziggler) Manning. The father, 
a native of Maryland, was born February 28, 1800. The mother of E. 
M. was born in Pennsylvania February 19, 1804. They were married on 
the 16th of March, 1826, and then settled in Steubenville, Ohio. James 
Manning was a minister of the Lutheran Church, and in 1839 moved to 
Zanesville, going from there in 1856 to Van Buren County, Iowa. He 
afterwards returned to Steubenville, Ohio, and then to Perry County in 
1863, and to Champaign Count}-, Ohio, in 1867. Here he died, April 13, 
1880. Young Manning's youth was passed in Ohio, and there he received 
his education. He first commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. M. 
Norris, at Birmingham, Iowa, remaining with him for two years, and 
subsequently studied under Dr. P. Z. Cassel, of Savannah, Missouri. On 
the 17th of July, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Regiment, Iowa Volun- 
teer Infantry, but was soon appointed hospital steward and received a 
commission as surgeon of State Militia of Missouri. He resigned in 1864 
and began the practice of medicine at Rochester, Andrew County, Mis- 
souri. He graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1865. In 1868 Dr. Manning moved to Quitman, and is now 
enjoying an excellent practice. He was married the 15th of February, 
1859, to Miss Emma J. Barker, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. She 
was born in August, [838, and died the 16th of November, 1864, leaving 
four children : Ida S., Jennie M., Sarah E. and Delia C. His second 
marriage occurred May 25, 1865, to Miss Emma O. Hawkins, who was 
born June 15, 1848. Both the Dr. and Mrs. Manning are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

JOSEPH E. O'NEAL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, is a native of Green County, Wis- 
consin, and was born January 14, 1837, the son of E. F. and Hannah 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. X~y 

(Ellis) O'Neal. The former was born in Ohio in 1 8 1 2 , and, with his 
parents, moved to La Fayette County, Indiana, in 1818. He died in 
1859. Joseph's mother was born in 1824. After being married, in 1831, 
they settled in La Fayette County, Indiana, and then moved to Green 
County, Wisconsin, in 1837, locating on a farm. Here the father died, 
and the mother was married the second time in 1866, to Mr. L. D. 
Barnes, a merchant. She moved to St. Deroine, Nemaha County, 
Nebraska, and to New Point, Holt County, Missouri, in 1870, and there 
died in March, 1880. Joseph E. spent his boyhood days and received 
his education in his native state, attending the academy at Stockwell, 
Wisconsin, during the years of 1867-8. November 4, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company F, Thirty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was with 
General Sherman during his march to the sea. He served until the time 
of Johnston's surrender. He was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, 
in July, 1865. Mr. O'Neal was married October 9, 1870, to Miss Katie 
A. Peck, a native of Stephenson County, Illinois, born October 9, 185 1 
She was a daughter of Sidney and Eliza (LewisJ Peck. Her father, a 
native of New York, was born in May, 18 17, and her mother was born 
in New York, in October, 1819. After their marriage they settled in 
New York, and moved to Stephenson County, Illinois, and thence t<> 
Hardin County, Iowa, in the fall of 1855. In the spring of 1874, Mitchell 
County, Kansas, became their home. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal settled in 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and, during the years of 1875-7, were at 
New Point, Holt County, Missouri. They now reside seven miles west 
of Maryville. His farm consists of 100 acres. They have had five 
children: Mary M., born May 19, 1872; F^ffic B., born November 19, 
1873; Laura B., born May 24, 1877, and Edna, born February, 1, 1882, 
who are now living, and one deceased, Stella, born November 24, 1879, 
and died July 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neal are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

C. A. RADFORD, 

of the firm of Johnston & Radford, dealers in general merchandise, 
Quitman, is a native of Lawrence Count)-, Ohio, born March 11, 1849, 
and was a son of Henry and Philinda (Gillett) Radford. His father was 
a native of England, born October 4, 1808, and died in November, 1876. 
His mother, a native of Seneca County, New York, was born Ma)- 10, 
1809. She died in 1859. The)- were married October 5, 1829, and then 
settled in Lawrence County,. Ohio, on a farm. Charles passed his early 
manhood in his native count)-. He entered the Ohio State University, 
at Athens, in 1866, remaining there till 1868, and in the winter of [868, 
he was engaged in teaching school in the State of West Virginia. In Sep- 
tember, 1869, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He taught school 
the following winter and then entered the employ of J. L. Chambers, 



878 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

merchant at Quitman, in 1870. He continued with him till 1874, when 
the firm name became Evans & Hays, Mr. R. still remaining in their 
employ. In 1875 it was changed to Hays & Craynor, and with them he 
continued till the spring of 1876. In September, of the same year, he 
returned to Lawrence County, Ohio, and in March, 1877, again came to 
Quitman, here entering the employ of J. J. Daniels & Co. On the 1st 
of January, 1878, with his partner, he purchased the entire stock of 
goods, and they have since been doing a successful business. Mr. Rad- 
ford was married April 24, 1873, to Miss Anna B. Reckard, a native of 
Lawrence County, Ohio, born November 13, 1850. She was a daughter 
of Salmon and Fanny (Proctor) Reckard. Mr. and Mrs. Radford are 
both members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. R is Sunday school super- 
intendent. He is also a member of Comet Lodge, No. 284, I. O. 0. F., 
and has been postmaster at Quitman since 1872. He has been notary 
public since 1874. The family of Mr. and Mrs. R. consists of two chil- 
dren : Henry T., and Weldon. Mr. R. is the owner of a fine farm. 

GEORGE RILEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, a pioneer of this county, is a native 
of Washington County, Kentucky, and was born January 10, 1820. He 
was raised in Springfield, Kentucky. His parents, Bailey and Pollie 
(Bridwell) Riley, were natives of Culpeper County, Virginia, and with 
their parents moved to Nelson, and afterwards to Washington County. 
Here they were married in 18 10. They afterwards settled in Nelson 
County, Kentucky, and in 1832, moved to Washington County. George 
spent his boyhood days, received his education, and also learned the 
tanners' trade, at Springfield, Kentucky. For several years he managed 
a large plantation and tanyard in Marion County. He was married Jan- 
uary 17, 1842, to Miss Sarah J. Graves, a native of Washington County, 
Kentucky, born April 15, 1823. Her father was born in Washington 
County, Kentucky, October 25, 1798, and died in 1866. Her mother, a 
native of Washington County, Kentucky, was born December 15, 1799, 
and died April 4, 1848. They were married February 7, 1822, and set- 
tled in McDonough County, Illinois, moving to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, in 1855. Mrs. George Riley died September 5, 1881, leaving four 
children: Mary Ann, Sarah, Henrietta and Nellie P. Mr. R. owns 120 
acres of improved land. 

ENOS B. SHELDON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born in Rochester, Monroe 
County, New York, on the 24th of November, 1857. His parents, John 
F. and Sarah A. (Angle) Sheldon, were natives of New York. Enos was 
taken to Clyde, of the same state, by his parents when he was young. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 879 

and there he was principally raised. For three or four years he also 
resided at Auburn. He received a common school education, and for 
some time worked at the harness trade, but ill health compelled him to. 
abandon that calling. In the fall of 1877 he came to Missouri, locating in 
Nodaway County, and here he now owns 85 acres of land, well stocked. 
Though young in years, he takes a deep interest in forwarding anything 
which would tend to promote the good of the county. Mr. Sheldon is 
Democratic in politics. He was married November 25, 1880, to Miss. 
Elizabeth Hefland, daughter of Robert Hefland, a native of Indiana. He 
belongs to the Home Guards. 

' SOLOMON SHELL, 

retired farmer, section 5. The subject of this sketch is one of Green Town- 
ship's prominent citizens. He was born in Lincoln County, North Car- 
olina, February 11, 1815, and was a son of Charles F. and Elizabeth H. 
Shell. His father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, was born November 
24, 1774, and with his parents moved to North Carolina. Solomon's 
mother, a native of North Carolina, was born June 2, 1787. After being 
married in 1800, they settled in Lincoln County, North Carolina, and in 
1827 moved to Bartholomew County, Indiana, and thence to Platte 
County, Missouri, locating near Weston, in May, 1846. The elder Shell 
died October 9, 1851, and his wife February 13, 1867. Solomon spent 
his boyhood days and received his education in Bartholomew County, 
Indiana. He was married September 27, 1837, to Miss Sarah J. Lem- 
mon, a native of Clarke County, Indiana, born on the 17th of August, 
1820. She was a daughter of James and Mary (McConnell) Lemmon. 
The former was a native of Franklin County, Kentucky, born February 
14, 1793, and died September 14, 1826. Her mother was born in Wood- 
ford County, Kentucky, February 12, 1797, and died July n, 1833. They 
were married June 15, 18 19, and then settled in Clarke County, Indiana. 
Here the father died, and the mother was married the second time to 
Samuel Patterson. Mr. and Mrs. Shell soon settled at Columbus, Bar- 
tholomew County, Indiana, and in the fall of 1841 moved to Platte 
County, Missouri, locating near Weston. There he purchased a claim 
of eighty acres, and farmed with one horse and an old shovel plow for 
five y^ars. In 1856 he sold out and moved eight miles northwest of 
Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. Shell took an active part in 
the late war, being a staunch Union man. He was elected Judge of 
Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1866, and served till 1868, making an 
excellent official. Mr. and Mrs. Shell are both members of the Christian 
Church. Their family consists often children, all living: James F., Wil- 
liam B., Charles F., Solomon Henry, Martha E., Thomas B., George B., 
Mary J., John M. L. and Sarah C. 



S8o BIOGRAPHICAL. 

CHARLES F. SHELL, 

farmer and carpenter, section 17, is a native of Bartholomew County, 
Indiana, where he was born August 3, 1829. He was a son of Charles 
F. and Elizabeth H. Shell. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, 
born November 24, 1774, and died October 9, 185 1. His mother, a 
native of North Carolina, was born June 2, 1787, and died February 13, 
1867. They were married in 1800, and then settled in North Carolina, 
and, in 1827, moved to Bartholomew County, Indiana. They came to 
Platte County, Missouri, in 1846. Charles F. passed his early days in 
his native county, and, with his parents, moved to Platte County, Mis- 
souri. He was married to Miss Sarah Moore, a native of Monroe 
County, Ohio. She was born July 27, 1830, and was a daughter of 
Elisha and Annie (Keene) Moore. Her father was a native of Red- 
stone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, born in December, 1787 ; he died 
January 30, 1849. The mother, a native of Culpeper County, Virginia, 
was born in 1779, and died in 1851. They were married in 1809, and 
then settled in Belmont County, Ohio, moving from there to Monroe 
County, Ohio, in 1842, and thence to Platte County, Missouri. Mr. and 
Mrs. Shell settled in Atchison County, Kansas, in 1857, an d returned to 
Platte County, Missouri, in 1858. Nodaway County, Missouri, became 
their home in the spring of i860, locating near where they now reside. 
Mr. and Mrs. S. have a family of five children : Odbert L., Edbert T., 
Annie E., Charles K. and Elisha F. During the war, Mr. Shell enlisted 
in Company K., Fifty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and did post 
duty in Missouri. He was mustered out at St. Louis August 28, 1865, 
and then returned to Nodaway County, where he devoted his time to 
working at his trade. 

WILLIAM B. SHELL, 

farmer, section 17, was born in Platte County, Missouri, February 22, 
1842, and was the son of Solomon and Sarah (Lemmon) Shell. The 
father was a native of Lincoln Count)-, North Carolina, born February 
11, 1815. The mother was a native of Clarke County, Indiana, born 
August 17, 1820. They were married September 27, 1837, and then 
settled at Columbus, Indiana, moving from there to Platte County, Mis- 
souri, in the fall of 1841, and to Nodaway County in 1856. Williftm B. 
passed his boyhood days and received his education in Platte and Nod- 
away Counties, remaining with his parents till the fall of 1863. He then 
enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Regiment Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry, and did post duty at Rolla, Missouri, till December 25, 1864, 
when he went to Nashville, Tennessee, thence to Columbia, Tennessee, 
and from there to Camp Douglas, Chicago. He made one trip with 
prisoners to Gaines 1 Landing, Virginia, and then went hack to Chicago 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 88 1 

and was mustered out at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, June 27, 1865. He 
returned to Shell Grove, Nodaway County, Missouri, and was mar- 
ried February 4, 1869, to Miss Matilda Noffinger, a native of Mon- 
roe County, Ohio. She was born in February, 1847, and was a daughter 
of James and Ellen Noffinger, who were natives of North Carolina. Her 
father was born October 28, 1819, and died January 25, 1878. After his 
marriage he settled in Monroe County, Ohio, and moved to Platte 
County, Missouri, in 1850, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in the 
fall of 185 1, and to Quitman in 1855. Here the mother died. The father 
was married the second time and moved to Atchison County, Kansas, 
in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Shell settled four miles west of Maryville, near 
where they now reside. His farm consists of 95 acres of well improved 
land. They have four children : Lillia Birda, Charles B., Mary Ann and 
William A. Mrs. S. is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. H. belongs 
to the P. of H., No. 32. 

JAMES W. SHELTON, 

farmer, section 13, is a native of Jackson County, Indiana, and was born 
August 7, -1838, being a son of James and Mary (Stratford) Shelton. His 
father was a native of Virginia, and moved with his parents to Clark 
County, Kentucky. He was born Match 3, 18 12, and was educated at 
Lexington, Kentucky, and devoted many years to the stage and also to 
the railway business. He died March 10, 1876. The mother of James 
W. was born in Rhode Island, February 8, 1816, and died November 5, 
1880. After their marriage they settled in Jackson County, Indiana, and 
in 1869 moved to Nodaway County, Missouri. James W. spent his boy- 
hood days and received his education in his native county. He was 
married May 25, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Booth, a native of Jackson 
County, Indiana, born April 8, 1844. She was the daughter of James 
and Ann (Sheppard) Booth, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 
1818, and the latter a native of Jackson County, Indiana, born March 24, 
1822. They settled in Jackson County, Indiana, and in 1869 came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton settled in Jackson 
County, Indiana, after being married, and in 1869 came to Ncdaway 
County, Missouri. His farm consists of 200 acres of land, all improved. 
They have a family of five children: George P2., P^lmore ¥,., Mary F., 
Mauda May and Estella A. They have lost one, Josephine. Mr. and 
Mrs. S. are both members of the M. E. Church. 

ED. D. SHELT( >N, 

farmer, section 12, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, August 2, 1851, 
and was the son of James H. and Mary F. (Straford) Shelton. His father 
was born November 3, 1812, in Virginia, and subsequently moved to 



882 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Clark County, Kentucky, with his parents. He was educated at Lex- 
ington, Kentucky, and devoted many years to the stage and to the 
railway business. He died March io, 1876. Ed's mother was a native of 
Rhode Island, born February 8, 18 16. She died November 5, 1880. 
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. S. settled in Jackson County, Indi- 
ana, and moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1869. E. D. Shelton 
spent his boyhood days and was educated in his native county. . With 
his parents he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and in 1871, pur- 
chased a farm of eighty acres, improving the same. He now owns 160 
acres of fine land. He was married May 9, 1880, to Miss F. Dean, a 
native of Owen County, Indiana, born April 21, i860. Her parents, 
George and Mary (Cradick) Dean, were natives of Indiana. They had 
settled in Owen County, Indiana, and in 1869, moved to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. After being married, Mr. and. Mrs. Shelton settled 
where they now reside, some nine miles west of Maryville. They have 
one child, Birdie Wilfley, born April 7, 1881. Both are .members of the 
M. E. Church. 

JAMES C. SMITH, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 8, is a native of Hancock County, 
Ohio, and was born on the 10th of March, 1838. He was a son of Harvey 
and Nancy (Carpenter) Smith, the former a native of Connecticut, born 
December 1, 1803, and the latter of Delaware County, Ohio, born April 
28, 18 17. They were married June I, 1838, and then settled in Hancock 
County, Ohio, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1866. James 
passed his youth and received an excellent education in his native 
state. He devoted many years of his early life to teaching school, and 
with his parents moved to Nodaway County, and settled at Quitman on 
a farm. He was married the 3d of July, 1863, to Miss Maggie Wilson, a 
native of Franklin County, Ohio. She was the daughter of John M. and 
Eliza (Puffield) Wilson. Her father was born in Brown County, Ohio, 
July 4, 1807, and when a young man went to Licking County, Ohio. 
Her mother, a native of Licking County, Ohio, was born October 12, 
1809. They were married in 1830, after which they settled in Licking 
County, and in 1847 moved to Fairfield County. They next located in 
Franklin County, Ohio, and settled on a farm some two and one-half 
miles west of Westerville, and twelve miles north of Columbus. Mrs. 
Eliza Smith died April 16, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Smith have a fam- 
ily of two boys : Charles, born August 2, 1865, and Frank, born January 
8, 1868. They have lost two children : Harvey, born July 2, 1870, died 
January 21, 1871, and Dollie, born May 8, 1880, died July 6, 1881. Mr. 
Smith is a charter member of Cornet Lodge, No. 284. He is the owner 
of a valuable farm. 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 88} 

WILLIAM H. SMITH, 

druggist and notary public, Quitman, is a native of Hancock County, 
Ohio, born on the 21st of January, 1841. His parents were Harvey and 
Nancy (Carpenter) Smith. His father was a native of Connecticut, born 
December 1, 1803, and the mother of Delaware County, Ohio, born on 
the 28th of April, 18 17. They were married June I, 1838, and then 
became residents of Hancock County, Ohio, moving to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, in 1866. The elder Smith died March 24, 1874. William 
spent his boyhood days and received his education in his native county. 
After teaching one term in a district school he enlisted, in 1862, in com- 
pany I, i62d regiment O. V. I., and went into the field as orderly 
sergeant. He was promoted to second lieutenant on the 24th of March, 
1863, and first lieuenant on the 27th of June, 1864, and to captain 
December 14, 1864. He was brevet majpr April 2, 1865. Mr. Smith 
participated in the following battles : Petersburg, Martinsburg, Battle 
of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Gaines Mills, Cold Harbor, Bermuda 
Hundred, Winchester, Cedar Creek and capture of Petersburg April 2, 
1865. He was mustered out at Washington D. C, on the 25th of June, 
1865, and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio. Returning home, with 
his parents, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1866, and set- 
tled in Quitman. He embarked in the drug business in 1871, and has 
continued the business since that time. He has filled the office of justice 
of the peace for fifteen years. August 6, 1866, Mr. S. married Miss 
Cassia Noffmger, a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, born 'he 15th 
of June, 1848. She died October 5, 1881, leaving the following children 
living: Orlander M., born January 8, 1870, and Bert, born June 7, 1877. 
They had lost Orion E., born August 2, 1867, died February 20, 1870; 
Maud, born Augusts, 1878, died August 22, 1880; Elmer E., born Octo- 
ber 19, 1871, died March 23, 1872. Mr. Smith married the second time 
on the 2 1st of July, 1881, Mrs. Helen E. Stockhouse (maiden name Car- 
ter), a native of Wood County, Ohio. She was born January 1, 1845, 
being the daughter of J. and Polly Carter. Mr. Smith is a Mason and a 
charter member of Comet Lodge at Quitman. He was appointed notary 
public on the 16th of February 1877. He is the owner of the northwest 
quarter of section 8, township 64, range 37. 

JAMES W. SMITH, 

section 8. This prominent agriculturist is a native of Nodaway County, 
Missouri, and is supposed to have been among the first white children 
born in the county. He was born January 9, 1842. His parents were 
Samuel and Sarah (Groom) Smith,*the former a native of Tennessee, 
born January 17, 181 3, and the latter of Kentucky, born in 18 13. They 



884 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

settled near Savannah, Missouri, after their marriage. James W. passed 
his youth in Nodaway, Gentry and DeKalb Counties. September 2, 
1861, he enlisted in the Third Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, C. 
S. A., Colonel Slayback commanding, and in February, 1862, enlisted 
in the First Regiment Confederate Cavalry, under General Gates. He 
was in the battles of Blue Mills and Lexington, Missouri, Corinth, Cham- 
pion's Hill and Jackson, Mississippi, and joined General Johnston's army 
at Rome, Georgia, and confronted General Sherman's army to the sea. 
He was wounded at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, was taken pris- 
oner and sent to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. After some six months 
he was released, and then returned to his home in Missouri, where he 
has since devoted his time to farming. Mr. S. was married on the 5th of 
May, 1870, to Miss Adaline Johnston, a native of Ross County, Ohio, 
born September 29, 1848. She is the daughter of Ephraim and Rachel 
(Corken) Johnston, who are natives of Ross County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith are both members of the Christian Church. He belongs to the 
Masonic fraternity. His farm consists of some 440 acres of well improved 
land. They have a family of two children: Eva, born April 3, 1874; 
and Anna, born October 22, 1878. 

JOHN S. THOMPSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 6. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Bartholomew Count)', Indiana, and was born December 6, 1840. His 
parents were John and Martha Thompson. He spent his boyhood days 
and received his education in Appanoose County, Indiana, and with his 
parents moved to Ray County, Missouri, in the spring of 1868. In the 
fall of 1869 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled, where he 
now resides. He was married September 18, 1865, to Miss Rebecca S. 
Silknetter, a native of Bartholomew County, Indiana, born January 25, 
1847. She is a daughter of Solomon and Catherine Silknetter. They 
have a family of three children: L. G., born January 3, 1870; Mauda N., 
born January 31, 1875; Jennie S., born July 1, 188 1. Mr. and Mrs. T. 
are both members of the M. E. Church. His farm comprises some 140 
acres of well improved land. 

H. h. warp;, 

farmer and breeder of short horns, is the owner of a fine farm, which is 
situated in section 10. It is composed of 360 acres, under good cultiva- 
tion. Mr. W. is a native of Highland County, Ohio, and was born July 
31, 1839. His parents were J. H. and Eliza J. Ware, the former a native 
of Washington County, Pennsylvania, born in 1808, and the latter of 
Clinton Count}-, Ohio, born in 1818. They were married in 1835, and 
then settled in Hardin County, and afterwards moved to Highland 



GREEN TOWNSHIP. 885 

County, and thence to Ross County, Ohio, in 1847. In 1856, Council 
Bluffs,' Iowa, became their home, remaining there a few months, when 
they came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Hanson passed his youthful 
days and received a good education in Ross County, Ohio, and with his 
parents came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He enlisted in Company 
I, Forty-fourth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in 1864, was pro- 
moted to first lieutenant, and appointed adjutant of his regiment. He 
was in the battles of Spring Hill, Frankfort, Nashville, Spanish Fort and 
Fort Blakeley. He was mustered out at St. Louis in August, 1865, then 
returned to Nodaway County, Missouri, and has since devoted his time 
to farming. He was married in April, 1863, to Miss Angeline, the 
daughter of Judge Alexander. She was born in 1844, and died in May, 
1864. Mr. W. was married the second time in 1866, to Miss Pamelta, 
the daughter of Judge E. S. Needles. She died in 1870, leaving three 
children : John E., Eliza J. and Samuel A. He was subsequently mar- 
ried to his present wife, Miss Mary Elnor, daughter of Louis and Jane 
Elnor. She was a native of Pike County, Ohio, and was born February 
3, 1839. Her father was born in Germany in 1804, and her mother, a 
native of Maryland, was born in 18 12. They were married in 1827, and 
then settled in Ross County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have by this 
union three children : Harry A., Glen D. and Sarah A. They are both 
members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Ware is a master workman of Lodge, 
No. 216, A. O. U. W. 

J. W. WEDDLE, 

blacksmith, Quitman, is a native of Scott County, Virginia, and was born 
September 4, 1822, being the son of Rev. D. D. and Mary (Sullivan) 
Weddle. His father was a native of the same county and state, born in 
1799. The mother was born in Hocking County, East Tennessee, in 
1803. They were married August 6, 1820, and then settled in Scott 
County, Virginia, and in September, 1823, moved to Monroe County, 
Indiana, and to Harrison County, Missouri, in 1853. In April, 1870, 
they located in Lane County, Oregon. The elder Weddle has devoted 
the past forty years to the ministry of the Christian Church. James W. 
spent his boyhood days and received his education in Monroe County, 
Indiana. In 1835 he began working at the blacksmith trade, and in 
1847 he went to Bedford, Lawrence County, Indiana, where he contin- 
ued work till 1854. He then moved to Frankford, Pike County, Mis- 
souri, and remained till 1863, when he returned to Monroe County, 
Indiana. In 1865 he went to Harrison County, Missouri, and in the 
spring of 1870 came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled at Quit- 
man. There he devoted his time to his trade, till July, 1881. Mr. W. 
was married the 2ist of March, 1841, to Miss Annie Cornett, a native of 
Letcher County, Kentucky, born the 6th of December, 1821. She, with 



S8f> BIOGRAPHICAL. 

her parents, moved to Monroe County, Indiana, in 1829. By this union 
they have eight children living : Nancy J., Sarah E., Isaac F., D. D., F. 
P., Mary M., J. W., and Albina. They have lost six : William, Marga- 
ret, Christopher, J. A., Ruth A., and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. W. are 
members of the Christian Church. He belongs to Quitman Lodge, No. 
196, A. F. and A. M. He is the owner of a farm in section 34. 

WILLIAM WOODS, 

farmer, section 24, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and was born 
June 3, 1841. His parents were Jesse and Martha (Spencer) Wood, the 
former a native of Licking County, Ohio, born January 8, 1812, and the 
mother, a native of the same county and state, was born June 3, 1815. 
They were married September 3, 1835, and then located on a farm in 
Licking County. In 1 85 5 > they moved to Leroy, McLean County, Illi- 
nois, and, in 1859, to Menard County, where they settled on a farm. 
In 1873, they came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Mrs. Martha Woods 
died July 8, 1881. William's early days were spent in his native county. 
He accompanied his parents on their various moves, as before stated, 
until locating in Menard Count}', Illinois. He enlisted in July, 1862, in 
Company K, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and 
was in the battles of Vicksburg and Little Rock, Arkansas. He was 
honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, August I, 1865. He 
returned to Menard County, Illinois, and spent the following winter, and 
farmed in Ohio till 1869. Mr. Woods was married January 26, 1870, to 
Miss Sallie Paine, a native of England, born April 15, 1846. She was a 
daughter ol John and Maria (Charles) Paine. Her parents were natives 
of England, and came to America in 1848, settling at Trenton, New 
Jersey, and moving to Menard Count}-, Illinois, in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. 
Woods came to Nodaway County, Missouri, February 23, 1870, and 
located where they now reside, some four miles south.west of Burlington 
Junction. Mr. Woods is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Both 
are members of the Christian Church. Their family consists of Mary 
E. C, born January 4, 1872 ; Rosa Bell, born February 3, 1876, and 
Jessie G., born August 28, 188 1. 








JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



>r©j«se;<£ 



AMOS B. BENTLEY. 

The subject of this sketch was born December 26, 1822, in Trumbull 
County, Ohio. His parents, although quite old, are still living, and 
reside on the farm where they commenced their married life sixty years 
ago. Amos Bentley was educated in the common schools of his day. 
He commenced the study of law at the age of eighteen years, and during 
his study taught school in winter to sustain himself during the summers 
in applying himself. He was admitted to the bar of the supreme court 
at Columbus, Ohio, April 17, 1845, and in the year 1852 he went to Cal- 
ifornia, from whence, after about one year, he returned to Ohio and 
shortly after immigrated to Worth County, Iowa. There he remained 
until the year 1858, when he left the cold climate of Northern Iowa and 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. Bentley is not only well 
versed in the law but is a school teacher of considerable experience, 
and is also a splendid mechanic. He has resided most of the time on 
Platte River, in Jackson Township of this county, with the exception of 
five years, during which time he was engaged in the practice of law at 
Maryville, and for a part of that time Hon. Lafe Dawson was a partner 
with him in that profession. Mr. Bentley's life has been an active one 
since his settlement in Nodaway County, and there are probably few 
men in the county whose attainments are so varied, at the same time 
so perfect. He was county judge for one term, and served with credit to 
himself and to the county. During the war Mr. Bently cast his lot with 
the Union. He was formerly a Democrat, but of late years he has 
espoused the Greenback cause. He is a man of good judgment, pos- 
sessed of a keen sense of justice, and is a firm advocate of law and order. 
In September, 1843, ne was united in marriage with Miss Adelia D. 
Black. She was born August 26, 1826, in Cattaraugus County, New 
York. Mrs. Bently accompanied her husband to Nodaway County, 
where she shared with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life, 
bearing her part with that fortitude and endurance so characteristic 
of her. Some years ago she had a narrow escape from wolves while 
hunting horses on the prairie, but being equal to the occasion she used 
the horse for a breastwork, while, by menacing the wolves with a stick, 



888 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

and by shaking her apron at the hungry, carnivorous pests, drove them 
away. Mrs. Bentley is an excellent neighbor, and is now enjoying a 
happy old age, surrounded by her children and her large circle of friends. 
Their family consists of six children : James, Helen (deceased), Frank, 
Mary H., Anson and Martin V. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. He has 69 acres of good land, most of which is under culti- 
vation, and his improvements are excellent. During the war he was 
captain in the state militia, and was never known to take or confiscate 
any property of individuals except when authorized so to do. 

FRANK B. BENTLEY, 

section 18, is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born in 1853. 
He is the son of Amos B. and Amelia (Black) Bentley, and at the 
age of four years, with his father's family, he immigrated to 
Worth County, Iowa, where they resided one year. From thence 
they came to this county. They are old pioneers here and were 
the first white family to settle in Worth County. The subject of 
this sketch was here raised to manhood and received his education, and 
has always followed his present occupation. He moved on the place 
where he now resides in the spring of 1882, and is the owner of eighty 
acres of choice land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. B. was 
married in 1876, to Miss Nevada Hawk, daughter of Peter Hawk, an old 
settler of this county. 

PHINEAS BIRD, 

section 32. The subject of this sketch is a native of Lawrence County, 
Pennsylvania, and was born in 1843. He was there raised to manhood 
in the occupation he now so successfully follows, receiving his education 
from the schools of that vicinity. In 1865 he removed to Louisa County, 
Iowa, where he remained till 1874, when he came to this state and set- 
tled on his present place. He has a fine farm of 200 acres that, as a 
■stock farm, is second to none in the county. Mr. Bird was married in 
1870 to Miss Mary Graham, a native of Ohio. They have four children: 
Alice, Stella, Izola and Flora. Mr. Bird is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. During the late war he enlisted in 1861 in Company C, 
One Hundredth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served till 1864. He par- 
ticipated in the following battles, James Island, the second battle of Bull 
Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Jackson, Knoxville, 
Williards, Virginia, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He 
was there taken prisoner and remained in confinement for six months, 
when he was released on parole. At both Knoxville and Petersburg he 
was wounded, each time in the head. Mr. Bird is the present treasurer 
of this township. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 889 

ELIJAH W. BISHOP, 

physician and surgeon. The subject of this sketch is the second childi 
of Preston and Martha (Parson) Bishop, and is a native of Lee County, 
Virginia, where he was born December 26, 1847. He was reared to- 
manhood and received his education from the schools of that vicinity, 
and at the age of seventeen years, he began the study of his chosen pro- 
fession, under the tutorship of Dr. William McNeal. After a thorough 
course of four years of study and practical instruction, he immigrated 
to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1868, where he resided eight months. 
Dr. Bishop then came to this county, and began the practice of medicine, 
and in 1875, he moved to Sweet Home. He has a large practice, and 
has been very successful in his profession. Besides being a professional 
man, he is one of our most prosperous farmers, having where he lives a 
fine farm well improved and watered. His estate consists of 480 acres- 
of land that is second to none in the county, most of which is under 
cultivation. Dr. B. was united in marriage October 3, 1867, with Miss 
Mary E. Larmer, a native of Virginia. They have four children : Wil- 
liam V., Charles E., Emmet F. and Dorsey M. The doctor is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. He is the present clerk of Jackson Township,, 
and has been school director of this district for three terms. 

THOMAS K. DAVID, 

section 30, is a native of Gentry County, Missouri, and was born June- 
10, 1855. At the age of five years, with the family, he removed to- 
Decatur County, Iowa, where they resided one year. From there they 
went to Henderson County, Illinois, where they lived two years, after 
which time they emigrated to Montgomery County, Iowa. There 
Thomas was reared to manhood and educated, following the occupation 
of farming. In 1876, he came to this county, and settled where he now 
resides. He has 160 acres of choice land, 120 acres of which are under 
cultivation. Mr. David was married November 11, 1877, to Miss Ida 
Jones, a native of Illinois. They have two children, Elizabeth J. and. 
William A. Mr. D. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

DANIEL DIMOND, 

section 35. This gentleman is a native of Fayette County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born August 13, 1830. He was there reared to manhood, 
as a farmer, receiving his education in the schools of that district. In. 
1853 ne emigrated to Iowa, residing there ten years, after which time he 
started for Kansas ; but in passing through this county his good judg- 
ment told him to settle here. Nevertheless, Mr. D, went to his des.- 



§9° BIOGRAPHICAL. 

tination.but not liking the appearance of the land there, he did not 
unload his goods, but returned and located in this county on the place 
Avhere he now resides. He has a fine farm of 240 acres, most of which is 
under cultivation. ■ Mr. Dimond was married April 3, 1853, to Miss 
Emma Thompson, a native of Delaware. They have six children living: 
Mary M., John T, Jessie F., Walter D., Abraham R., and Arthur H. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. D. was the first register 
of Jackson Township. He has been road overseer and also school 
director for several terms. To him is credited the first attempt at 
wheat raising in the township, if not in the county. The success of this 
■experiment is well known to all. 

JOSEPH F. DOUGLASS, 

section 29, was born in Adams Count}-, Illinois, October 10, 1835. He 
was there raised to manhood and educated, following the occupation of 
farming. In 1870 he immigrated to this state und settled where he now 
resides. He has a fine farm of 200 acres in a good location, and his 
improvements are far above the average. Mr. Douglass was married in 
1865 to Miss Elizabeth Stoker, a native of Illinois. They have three 
children: Emma J., Nellie M. and Jessie E. During the late war, in 1861, 
Mr. D. enlisted in Company L, Second Illinois Regiment Cavalry, serv- 
ing for three years. He was mustered out in August, 1864. 

HENRY GRIFFIN, 

section 20, is a native of Cass Count}', Michigan, and was born July 15, 
1847. He was reared to manhood at his birthplace, following the occu- 
pation of farming, and receiving his education from the schools of his 
native county. In 1871, he emigrated to Missouri, and settled in 
Andrew County, from whence, after remaining but two months, he 
moved to this county, and settles where he now resides. He has 125 acres 
of land, as good as any in this vicinity, most of which is under cultiva- 
tion. Mr. Griffin was united in marriage January 25, 1877, to Miss 
Frances Dinsmore, a native of Iowa. They have two children, John M. 
and Ada J. Mr. G. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

JOSEPH W. HAMPTON, 

section 23. Among the old settlers and prominent farmers of this dis- 
trict the subject of this sketch is worthy of special mention. He is a 
native of Scott County, Missouri, and was born January 10, 1839. He 
was there reared till he attained his fourteenth year, when with the 
family he emigrated to Nodaway County and settled in this township 
near the place where he now resides. He was here principally educa- 



JAQKSON TOWNSHIP. 891 

ted, and was brought up in the occupation he now follows. He has 240 
acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the township, 200 
acres of which are under cultivation, and his improvements are of the 
highest order. Mr. Hampton was married June 3, 1863, to Miss Lucy 
V. Farley, a native of Missouri. They have eight children : Etna L., 
Schuyler S., Charles L., Jennie O., Lulu L., Sadie N., Maud and Mabel. 
During the late war Mr. H. enlisted in 1862 in Company C, Fourth Mis- 
souri Regiment Missouri State Militia, and participated in the battles 
of Springfield, Missouri, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and others of lesser note. 
He served till the close of the war. 

PETER HAWK, 

section 13. Among the old settlers and successful farmers and stock 
raisers of this vicinity, who have been prominently identified with the 
interests of this county from an early date, is Mr. Peter Hawk. He is a 
native of Hardy County, Virginia, and was born November 8, 1828. 
At the age of eight years with the family he immigrated to Tippecanoe 
County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and received his edu- 
cation, spending his youthful days on a farm. In 1858 he came to this 
county, remained for six months, and after that time he returned to his 
native state, living there for one year. From there he moved to Cham- 
paign County, Illinois, and eight months later he came to this state and 
settled again in this county, near Guilford. He continued farming till 
1866, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits in Guilford, operating a 
general store. After pursuing that business one year he disposed of the 
store and resumed farming for three years. Some time thereafter, in 
•company with Mr. John Miller, he again took the store formerly run by 
him. They conducted the business four years, when he purchased Mr. 
Miller's interest and removed his stock to Sweet Home After engaging 
in business there for one year he sold his stock and returned to the occu- 
pation of his youth. He moved on the farm where he now resides in 
1866. It is one of the finest in this county, consisting of 581 acres, well 
improved, and upon it is one of the best residences in the t,ownship. Mr. 
Hawk was united in marriage January 20, 1853, with Miss Effie Sting- 
ley, a native of Indiana. They have seven children living: Anna M., 
Laura E., Nevada A., Effie C, (deceased), Mary A., Franklin, Oscar G. 
and Hester M. Mr. H. has been school director of his district for some 
years. During the late war he was a member of the state militia. 

EDWARD HOLMES, 

section 17. The subject of this sketch is a native of Edgar County, 
Illinois, and was born August 21, 1849. In 185 1, the family emigrated 
to Clarke County, Iowa, and there resided for one year and a-half, at the 



892 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

expiration of which time they came to this county. Here Edward was 
raised to manhood and educated. After spending his youthful days on 
a farm, he came to Maryville and worked for E. S. Stephenson, then a 
stock dealer, for seven years. He was subsequently engaged with Mr. 
Briggs in a like employment for some little time. Mr. Holmes then 
returned to farming till 1878, when he embarked in the livery business 
in Maryville, being associated with Mr. McCollins. He remained in that 
business only a short time, and again engaged in farming. In 1880, he 
settled where he now resides. He has forty acres of choice land, all of 
which is under cultivation. Mr. Holmes was married October 24, 1875, 
to Miss Nancy A. Lee, a native of Missouri. They have one child, Frank. 

LYMAN HUNT, 

section 2, is one among the old settlers and prominent farmers of this 
district. He is a native of Portage County, Ohio, and was born February 
13, 1822. He was there reared to manhood, receiving his education 
from the schools of that day. He has followed his present occupation 
through life. In 185 1 he emigrated to this state and county, residing 
here for one year, when he returned to Ohio, remaining there till 1854. 
Mr. Hunt then moved to Iowa, and after a six months' sojourn there, he 
again came to this county, settling where. he now lives in i860. He has 
a well arranged farm of 275 acres constituting one of the finest stock 
farms in the county. Mr. Hunt was united in marriage September 28, 
1854, to Miss Harriet Burroughs, a native of Ohio. They have six chil- 
dren ; Rowena P., Alfred H., Adalaide E., Marion W. and Milton W., 
twins, and Virgil O. During the late war he was a member of the state 
militia. 

ALFRED HENRY HUNT, 

section 27. The subject of this sketch is a native of Nodaway County, 
Missouri, and was born October 24, 1858. He was here reared to man- 
hood, receiving his education from the schools of this neighborhood. 
In [880, he settled on the place where he now resides. He has always 
followed farming, and at present is the owner of eighty acres of land, that 
will average with any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. 
Mr. Hunt was married December 25, 1879, to Miss Mary E. Laivning, a 
native of Missouri. They have one child, Clarence A. Mrs. Hunt is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

WARREN B. IRVIN, 

section 2, is a native of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in which local- 
ity he first saw the light June 24, 1839. He was reared to manhood and 
educated in his native county, and followed during his early life his pres- 



JACKSON TOWNSHIT. 893 

ent occupation. In 1874 he emigrated to Missouri, and settled where he 
now resides. He has 100 acres of land that will compare favorably with 
any in the county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. I. was mar- 
ried in i860, to Miss Rachel E. Wilson, also a native of Pennsylvania. 
They have five children: Fannie A., Hattie B., Flora C, Edwin C. and 
Lay M. 

ROBERT M. JAMES, 

deceased. Among those who early settled in this county and have since 
passed to the better land, none were more favorably known or universally 
respected than Mr. James. He was a native of Howard County, Ohio, 
and was born December 6, 182 1. He was there reared to manhood and 
educated, following the occupation of farming ; but being a natural 
mechanic, he became a thorough master of the trades of carpentering, 
shoemaking and tinning, which he followed during the winter season. 
He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the summer months. In 1846 
Mr. James emigrated to Van Buren County, Iowa, residing there till 
1853, when he came to Missouri, and settled on section 29, where his 
family now resides. He was married March 15, 1848, to Miss Eliza A. 
Hill, a native of Indiana. They had two children, Sarah E. and Charles 
E. Mr. J.'s death occurred August 8, 1864. Since that time his son, 
Charles, has successfully conducted the home place. The family have a 
fine stock farm of 320 acres, most of which is under cultivation. Charles 
James was born May 30, 1857. He was reared to manhood and educated 
in this county, following the occupation of farming. He was married 
June 2, 1878, to Miss Sarah A. Denoon, a native of Ohio. They have 
two children, Mary E. and Frances O. 

ISAAC LANNING, 

proprietor of the Lanning's Mill. Few are the men in this county who 
are more widely known, or have been more closely identified with the 
pioneer history of Northwest Missouri, from an early date, than the sub- 
ject of this sketch. He is a native of Ohio, and was born December 15, 
18 19. He was reared to manhood and received his education at his 
birthplace, and is by trade a millwright. In 1839, he removed to Pitts- 
burgh, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in working in a still house for 
about two years, during which time he was also studying for the medical 
profession. After this he practiced his profession for eighteen months 
in that city. In 1843, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked in a 
machine shop for eighteen months, in order to perfect himself in his 
trade as millwright. At the close of that period, he was engaged by 
Moore & Cox to erect the first mill in this county. It was built on the 
One Hundred and Two River, ten miles south of Maryville, and is now 



894 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

known as the Bridgewater Mill. After completing this contract, Mr. L. 
selected a site and built, in 1847, a mill near where his present one 
stands. He continued to run this mill till 1870, when, finding its capac- 
ity too small for his increasing trade, he moved it off and erected his 
present large and splendid structure, at a cost of $12,500. It has a 
capacity of 325 bushels of grain per day, and it is run at its full capacity 
nearly the year round. He has besides his mill a fine farm of 425 acres 
which is one of the best improved places in the county. Upon it is a 
large brick house, commodious barn, and good, substantial buildings 
generally. Mr. Lanning is entirely a self made man, having started in 
life in a new country, without even the necessaries of life. He has 
worked his way, step by step, till he now stands among the most prom- 
inent and well to do men of the county. He has been twice married. 
First, January 2, 1845, to Miss Mary A. Meddles, a native of Ohio. They 
had five children, all of whom are now deceased : Nancy J., Eliza J., 
Isaac N., John W. and Hannah. Mrs. L.'s death occurred March \J> 
1877. He was again married June 14, 1878, to Miss Hannah Roberts' 
They have one child, Isaac N. They are members of the Methodist 
Protestant Church. Mr. L. held the office of justice of the peace for 
twenty-four years, and has been school director and road overseer of 
the township. During the war he was a member of the state militia. 

EDWARD & MARTIN LAVIN, 

section 21, are among the well and favorably known stock raisers of this 
district. They are both natives of Ireland. Edward was born July 19, 
1844, and Martin February 2, 1847. In 1847 the family immigrated to 
America and settled in Pennsylvania, where they resided two years. 
From there they went to Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, and were there 
reared to manhood and educated, following the occupation of farming. 
In 1869 they removed to Missouri and engaged in managing a portable 
saw mill in Miller, Osage and Gasconade Counties, continuing in this 
business till 1876, when they came to this county. They then bought 
and settled on their present place, having 540 acres of land, which con- 
stitutes one of the finest and best improved stock farms in Northwest 
Missouri. They are large and successful stock dealers, and are foremost 
among the prominent farmers of Nodaway County. Edward was mar- 
ried in 1877, to Miss Rosa A. Fay, a native ot Wisconsin. They have 
from this union three children : Mary A., Edward M. and Katie. They 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

RUSSELL E. LEWIS, 

section 34, is a native of Boone County, New York, and was born 
November 2, 1821. At the age of nine years, he emigrated with the fam- 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 89^ 

ily to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was raised to manhood and edu- 
cated, following the occupation of farming. He resided there till 1850, 
when he moved to Jo Daviess County, Illinois, where he lived twenty-five 
years. After that time he came to this state and settled near Maryville, 
and, in 1876, he located where he now resides. He has an excellent 
farm of 160 acres, inferior to none in this neighborhood, most of which 
is under cultivation. Mr. L. was married, in 1843, to Miss Margaret A. 
Gilchrist, a native of Pennsylvania. They have seven children : Ann E., 
Calista A., Lodemia D., Leslie K., Julia S., Mary E., Edward L. Mr. Lewis 
is an ordained minister of the Methodist Protestant Church, and has been 
a faithful servant and professor of religion for the past forty years. 

GEORGE S. LOWE, 

section 19. The subject of this sketch was born in Massachusetts, March 
15, 1847, and at the age of two years the family emigrated to Mercer 
County, Illinois. When he was nine years old he was taken by them to 
Wisconsin, and, after a residence there of five years, they returned to 
Illinois and settled in Peoria County. George was reared in the occupa- 
tion which he now follows. In 1876 he emigrated to this state and 
located near where he now resides. He has a farm of 160 acres of land 
that will average with any in the county, part of which is under culti- 
vation. Mr. L. is a self-made man, and his success in life he attributes 
to energy, honesty, and industry.' He was married in 1872 to Miss 
Frances Glaze, a native of Illinois. They have two children living : 
Asa P. and Jennie L. He has been township clerk for several years. 
past. 

DANIEL McKAY, 

section 31, is a very successful farmer and stock raiser of this county, and 
is a native of Louisa County, Iowa, where he was born December 12, 1843. 
He was there reared to manhood and received his education, following 
his present occupation. In 1872 he emigrated to Missouri, and settled 
in this county, where now resides. He has a fine farm of 200 acres, most 
of which is under cultivation ; his improvements are of the best, and he 
has a splendid house, in a good location. Mr. McKay was married August 
4, 1867, to Miss Amanda Jones, a native of Iowa. He is a member of the 
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. In 1862 he enlisted in Company 
F, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and served for three years. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Vicksburg, Blackwater, Sterling Farm, Spanish 
Fort and many others of lesser note. He was taken prisoner at the battle 
of Sterling Farm, and was in confinement at Tyler, Texas, for seven 
months. 



■896 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HENRY McMUI.IN 

is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, and was born March 17, 
1833. He was there reared till he attained his seventeenth year, 
•when he removed to Washington County, Ohio, and in that locality 
principally received his education, following farming and school teach- 
ing as an occupation. In 1865 he immigrated to Owen County, Indi- 
ana, where he remained one and a half years, after which he came to 
Missouri and settled in this County, where he now resides. In 1866 
he became engaged in mercantile business in Sweet Home, and asso- 
ciated with Mr. Clutter, continued in trade there for one year. Mr. 
McMulin then bought out his partner's interest and sold a half inter- 
est to S. P. Joy, they continuing the business six months. The subject 
•of this sketch withdrew from the firm, but after a short time he again 
purchased the stock and successfully managed the business till 1875, 
1875, when Leroy Harry became his partner. They conducted the store 
till 1880, when Mr. McM. turned his share over to his son, who, with Mr. 
Harry, now follows this business. Mr. McMulin has a large tract of 
land consisting of 950 acres, besides the store building at Sweet Home, 
and a residence in that town. He was married September 22, 1855, to 
Miss Rebecca Sample, a native of Ohio. They have one child, James L. 
They are members of the Christian Church. 

IRA MOORE, 

section 4, is a native of Parke County, Indiana, and was born May 31, 
1832. At the age of eleven years he moved with the family to Han- 
cock County, Illinois, where he spent his youthful days in the occupation 
he now follows. He was educated in the schools of that county. In 
1869 he emigrated west and settled in this state, where he has since 
resided. He has a large farm of 580 acres of land, making one of the 
best stock farms in this district. Mr. M. deals largely in stock, and is 
well and favorably known as a successful and enterprising man. He 
was married July 4, 1856, to Miss Mahala C. Rohrbaugh, a native of Vir- 
ginia. They have by this union six children : Sarah E., George E., Ira 
F., Homer W., Cecelia M. and Allie. The}- are members of the Protest- 
ant Methodist Church. Mr. M. has been school director and also road 
overseer for several terms. 

JOHN S. MOW, 

section 23. The subject of this sketch is a native of Hamilton County, 
Ohio, and was born June 23., 1808. While he was an infant the family 
emigrated to Montgomery County, where they resided till his eighth 
year, then removing to Union County. Two years later the)- went to 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 897 

Shelby County, where he was raised to manhood and educated. He has 
always followed his present occupation. In 1841 Mr. Mow removed to 
Fulton County, and after a long residence there of twenty-four years, he 
came westward and settled in this county on the place where he now 
resides. He has eighty acres of good average land, all of which is under 
cultivation. He was married in 1837, to Miss Matilda McCall, a native 
of Pennsylvania. They have five children : Richard S., John O., Lyman 
B., Flora F. and Charles S. They are members of the M. F. Church. 

THOMAS B. NEAL, 

section 35, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, on the 1st of Novem- 
ber, 1846, and at the age of three years, with the family, he emigrated 
to Clark County, Illinois. When he was eleven years old they came to 
Missouri and settled in this county, where the subject of this sketch was 
reared to manhood and educated. He has followed his present occupa- 
tion since boyhood, and in connection with farming has been a school 
teacher, and is well and favorably known in that capacity. In 1873 ne 
settled where he now resides. He has a fine farm of 200 acres of well 
improved land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. N. was married 
December 25, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Wilcox, a native of Illinois. They 
have three children : Mary I., Ulysess A., and Olive L. They are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. In 1865 he enlisted in Company H, Fifty- 
first Missouri Infantry, and served till the close of the war. 

ALEXANDER B. NEEDELS, 

section 4. The subject of this sketch is a native of Gentry County, Mis- 
souri, and was born April 27, 1848. He was then reared to manhood 
and educated, following farming as an occupation. In 1870 he removed 
to this county and settled where he now resides. He has a fine tract of 
land consisting of 220 acres, second to none in the county, 120 acres of 
which are under cultivation. Mr. N. was married in 1870 to Miss 
Ruth A. Heim, a native of Stark County, Ohio. They have four chil- 
dren : Cora E., William A., Ada L. and Elizabeth. They are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

JUDGE MORRIS D. NOBLES, 

section 26, is prominent among the old setlers and successful farmers, 
and is one who has been closely identified with the interests of Noda- 
way County. He is a native of Adison County, Vermont, where he was 
born Ma>- 15, 1824. He was there raised till he attained his sixteenth 
year, when he emigrated to Edgar County, Illinois, following the trade 

of tanning with his father. That business he continued for five years, 

57 



,XgX BIOGRAPHICAL. 

after which time he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Logan, Illinois. 
After conducting this occupation for four years he embarked in farming. 
In 1855 he emigrated to Missouri and settled where he now resides, here 
having 280 acres of land in a body that makes one of the finest stock 
farms in the county, most of which is under cultivation. Judge Nobles 
was united in marriage December 8, 1853, to Miss Julia A. Jones, a 
native of Ohio. They have two children — Mary E. and Hattie A. He 
has been county judge for two terms and served with honor to himself 
and credit to the county. He served as deputy sheriff one term, and was 
the first township tiustee of Jackson Township. He has also been school 
director of his district several terms. 

R. O'NEAL, 

section 29, was born in Carroll County, Kentucky, on the 13th of Novem- 
ber, 1847. He was there raised to manhood and enjoyed the advantages 
of a good education, spending his boyhood days in the occupation he 
now follows. At the age of twenty-four years he immigrated to Mis- 
souri and settled in this county, where he now resides. He has 240 
acres of land that will average with any in the county, most of which is 
under cultivation. Mr. O'Neal was married September 10, 1872, to Miss 
Eva P. Shouse, a native of Missouri. They have four children: Willie 
W., Mamie H., Lenora and Birdie. Mr. O'Neal is a member of the 
Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. During the war he cast his lot 
with the Confederate cause, in 1863 enlisting in Company F., Fourth Ken- 
tucky Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. He participated in 
the siege of Knoxville and many other battles. 

JESSE PARRISH, 

section 21, was one of the early settlers and prominent and progressive 
farmers of this vicinity, and has done much toward the prosperity of 
Nodaway County. He is a native of Putnam County, Indiana, and was 
born March 30, 1829. At the age of five years he removed with the fam- 
ily to Lee County, Iowa, and when thirteen he was brought to this state, 
locating in Holt County. He was there reared to manhood, following 
the occupation of farming. In 1845 he settled in this county, where he 
has since resided, and in 1867 he moved to his present farm. His estate 
consists of 160 acres of good land, 120 of which are under cultivation. 
Mr. P. was united in marriage, April 6, 1848, to Miss Susan Spoonamore, 
a native of Indiana. They have fifteen children : Mary E., Eliza A., 
Polly A., Nancy E., Matilda, Sarah, George L., Jesse P., Arthur M., 
Malinda, Cora B., Rozella, Edward M., Henry and Myrtie. They are 
members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Parrish was constable of 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 899 

his township one term. During the war he was a member of the state 
militia. 

JAMES M. PARTRIDGE, 

section 32, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and was born July 
19, 1 8 14. At the age of three years he was taken by the family to 
Adams County, residing there for nine years, after which he removed to 
Highland County. He was there principally raised, following the occu- 
pation he now follows. In 1836 he returned to Adams County, where 
he remained till 1837, when he immigrated to Edgar County, Illinois. 
There he lived till 1862. He then enlisted in Company F, Thirtieth 
Illinois Regiment, and was corporal of that company. He participated 
in a number of important battles, and after a service of two years he 
was discharged for disability. In 1865 he came to this state and settled 
where he now resides, having 360 acres of land as good as any in the 
county, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. P. has been twice mar- 
ried : First, in 1833, to Miss Delida Thatcher, a native of Ohio. They 
had four children : John F., Samuel S., Sarah E. and James. Mrs. Par- 
tridge's death occurred in 1876. He was again married to Mrs Elizabeth 
Smith. She has three children by her former marriage : Mary E., Mat- 
tie E. and Agnes G. 

THOMAS PIERPOINT, 

section 16, is a native of West Virginia, and was born March 6, 1828. 
He was reared to manhood in his native state, and was educated in the 
schools of that vicinity. He has always followed the occupation of 
farming. In 1850 he removed to Taylor County, residing there till 1869, 
when he emigrated to Hancock County, Illinois, remaining there for 
only six months. From that place he came to this county and settled 
where he now lives. He has 160 acres of land, most of which is under 
cultivation. Mr. P. was married September 2, 1852, to Leona Worth- 
ington, a native of Pennsylvania. They have from this union nine chil- 
dren : Ralph, Mary, Samantha, Zackwell, Elslay, John W., Henry R., 
Albert S., and Rosa B. Mr. Pierpoint has been school director of his 
district. During the war he was a member of the state militia. 

DANIEL C. PIERPOINT, 

section 26. The subject of this sketch was born in Tyler County, West 
Virginia, November 4, 1843, and was there raised to manhood and edu- 
cated, following farming and school teaching. In 1870 he immigrated 
to Nodaway County, and in 188 1 settled on the place where he now 
resides. He has eighty acres of land on the home place, besides other 
land in this county, all of it being above the average. Mr. Pierpoint 



900 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

was married March 31, 1868, to Miss E. E. McCay, a native of Ohio. 
They have five children: James E., Cora M., Mary A., Clara B. and 
Gracie V. They are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. 
P. is the present township collector. He has been school director of his 
district for several terms. 

ROBERT RUSSELL, 

section 11, is an old settler of this county. He was born in Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio, October 14, 1836, and was there reared till fifteen years of 
age, when he emigrated to Edgar County, Illinois. There he was engaged 
in the trade of shoemaking, and after residing there six years he removed 
to Vermillion County, Indiana. For one year he was engaged in farming, 
after which he came to Missouri, and settled in this county. In 1870 he 
located where he now resides. He has eighty-five acres of good land, 
all under cultivation. Mr. R. was married March 7, 1861, to Miss Mary 
J. Moss, a native of Illinois. They had seven children : Charlotte R., 
Edward, Charles, Sarah E., Marion, Arella K. and George. Mrs. Rus- 
sell's death occurred February 29, 1877. During the war Mr. R. enlisted 
in the state militia. 

GEORGE A. RUSH, 

section 32. The subject of this sketch is a native of Canada, and was 
born May 28, 184 1. At the age of six years he was taken by the fam- 
ily to Racine County, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood as a 
farmer, and received his education. In 1870 he emigrated to Missouri 
and settled where he now resides. He has 1 12 acres of land, most of 
which is under cultiuation. Mr. Rush was united in marriage in 1864 to 
Miss Mary Banchop, a native of Scotland. They have four children : 
Arthur E., Alvin M., Mary A., and Charlotte J. They are members of 
the M. E. Church. Mr. R. is the present township constable. 

BENTON SMITH, 

section 23, is a native of Indiana, and was born February 27, 1S41, At 
the age of six years, with the family, he emigrated to Andrew Count}', 
residing there but five months, and from thence they removed to this 
state and county, where he was reared to manhood in the occupation of 
fanning. He received his education in the schools of this vicinity, and 
in [873 he settled on the place where he now resides. He has 200 acres 
of land, 170 acres of which are under .cultivation. Mr. Smith was mar- 
ried February 23, 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Vaughn, whose maiden name 
was Bassford. They have five children by this marriage: Oliver, Har- 
riet A., Laurinda M., Joseph E. and Charlotte A. Mrs. S. has one child 
by her former marriage, George K. Vaughn. At the breaking out ol 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 9OI 

the war, in 1861, Mr. Smith enlisted in the six months call, and after serv- 
ing that time he enlisted, in 1863, in Company C, Fourth Regiment 
Missouri State Militia, serving till the close of the war. 

ELON SMITH, 

farmer, section 36, is a native of Missouri, and was born in Andrew 
County, September 11, 1846. When three years of age he came to Nod- 
away County, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm, and 
has made farming his occupation during life, and now has 160 acres of 
land. He was married November 25, 1870, to Miss Bettie Holmes, who 
was born in Edgar County, Illinois, May 1, 1854. While a child she came 
to Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children : Bell, Adda, Delia, 
the fourth left to chose its own name, and the fifth an infant. 

GEORGE A. SPECK, 

section 9, was born in Warren County, Illinois, July 10, 1852. When he 
was fourteen years of age, the family emigrated to Fremont County, Iowa, 
and there resided till 1871, when he moved to Mitchell County, Kansas. 
After remaining four years, he returned to Iowa, and, one year later, 
went to Atchison County, Missouri, where he lived five years. Mr. S. 
then came "to this county and settled where he now lives. He has 160 
acres of choice land, most of which is improved. He was married, in 
1873, to Miss Emma Banks, a native of Iowa. They have four children: 
Alice A., William H., Louis M. and Rosetta M. 

ANDREW SPIRE, 

section 25. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfield County, 
Ohio, May 1, 1845, and was there reared to manhood and educated, fol- 
lowing the occupation of farming. He resided in that locality till 1870, 
when he emigrated westward and settled in this county, and in 1880 he 
located on the place where he now resides, having leased the place for a 
term of years. He, in company with Mr. Wnru Shew, is largely engaged 
in sheep raising. They now have on their place 1,650 head of sheep, and 
sell on an average 10,000 pounds of wool per year. The farm they 
occupy contains 330 acres, most excellently adapted to the industry in 
which they are engaged. Mr. Spire f was married in 1868, to Miss Mary 
Shew, a native of Ohio. They have five children : John H., Mary S., 
George A., Ellen and Charles. They are members of the Catholic 
Church. In 1864 Mr. S. enlisted in Company H, Thirty-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, and served till the close of the war. 



902 BIOGRAPHICAl . 

MOSES STINGLEY 

was born in Hardy County, Virginia,, on the fourth day of September, 
1810. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war. His parents 
raised sixteen children — nine sons and seven daughters. Thirteen of 
the sixteen played on the violin. He lived in his native state until 
twenty-two years of age. He was married on the 9th day of Septem- 
ber, 1830, to a Miss- Terry, of the same county as himself. In August, 
1832, he started for Tippacanoe County, Indiana, arriving there in Octo- 
ber, of that year, and lived there twelve years, and on the 1st of Octo- 
ber, 1844, he started for the Platte Purchase and settled in Andrew 
County, two miles north of Whitesville. In the spring of 1845 he 
rented a farm and raised a crop. In the fall all the family were taken 
sick, and on the 30th day of September, Mrs. Stingley died, leaving five 
children, and the family were so ill that but one child could attend the 
funeral. As soon as he recovered his health sufficiently, Mr. S. went to 
Plattsburg and entered 160 acres of land in Nodaway County, where he 
now lives, and during the winter camped in a pre-emption house until 
he was able to build a mansion, eighteen by twenty feet. He raised 
good crops that year on rented land, and bought a set of plow irons for 
eleven dollars and stocked it himself and broke seven acres of prairie 
fenced it, and put it in corn. He had to go to Savannah and St. Joseph 
for his smithing and milling. On the 3d of December, 1846, he married 
Miss Eliza Moon. To use his own language, he then had nothing to do 
but to work and kill deer and turkeys, and go to mill, and sometimes to 
St. Joseph for whisky, when the cows failed. On the 10th of December, 
1848, the snow fell thirty-four inches deep on the level, and remained on 
the ground until March, and during this time had sport in catching tur- 
keys, when they could get them to leave the timber. 

In 185 1, owing to high water, they had to grate the corn for bread, 
and got along in that way until they heard of a horse mill at Rochester. 
He went there and had thirteen bushels of corn ground, and, after bring- 
ing it home, said it was the best time to loan meal he ever saw. On the 
15th day of June, 185*6, he was again deprived of his companion by 
death, leaving five children by this union, and on the 18th day of the 
following November he married Miss Margaret L. Gray, and, for awhile, 
he says everything went on finely. Then came chinch bugs, destroying 
crops ; next, swarms of grasshoppers, and, by the by, Jeff. Davis broke 
loose, which checked matters for a while ; but he survived all that, and 
on the 1 8th of January, 1877, his third wife died, leaving four children. 
The following September, he sold part of his property and took a trip 
to California and Oregon, and returned the following year, and has 
remained here since, he says, except when professionally out fiddeling 
for the neighbors, having been their fiddler for fifty-five years. He has 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 903 

served as road overseer, constable and judge of the county court one 
term, and, in 1861, was captain of a company, known as Platte River 
Hellions, besides has been prominent at log rollings and house raisings. 
Although a farmer, he has made combs, brooms, stocked plows, axe 
handles, shoes for all his family, and many for others, ox-yokes, shod 
horses, made weaving looms and well wheels, weaving shuttles, coop- 
erage, and has at this time a cedar churn, in good condition, made by 
himself in 1826, and manufactured many a grind stone, besides other 
articles too numerous to mention. His children's names are as follows : 
Nancy M., George R., William, Allen, Hiram M., Thursey Ann, Rosina, 
Perneacy, Jane, Stanford G., Lozilla, Norton C, Orleany and Noah E. 
It has been a habit of Mr. S., during life, never to go in debt, and his 
name has never been on the books of a merchant in the county. He 
never gave but one note, and that was for forty acres of land, that they 
could not receive the money for at the time, although he was anxious to 
pay it, and paid the note with the same money which he reserved for 
that purpose. His landed estate at the present time consists of 285 
acres. In his religious preferences he inclines to the Universalist belief. 

ISAAC WILCOX, 

deceased, was prominent among the old settlers of this county, who have 
now passed away from this world. He was a native of Green County 
Kentucky, and was born September 27, 1817. When twelve years of age 
he went with the family to Menard County, Illinois, where he was reared 
to manhood and educated, following the occupation of farming and 
stock raising. This he continued through life. In 1852, he immigrated 
to Missouri, and settled in this county, and after a short residence here 
of six months, he removed to Union County, Iowa, where he resided 
eighteen months. After that time he returned to this county and set- 
tled in section 26, where his family now resides. Mr. Wilcox was mar- 
ried in 1844, to Miss Mary J. Curry, a native of Kentucky. They had 
five children : Mary E., Willis, Rachel, George and Aridy. After a long 
and useful life Mr. W. died February 15, 1881. Since his death, Mrs. W. 
with the assistance of her sons, George and Andy, has successfully 
managed the home'farm. They have 340 acres of choice land, making 
one of the best stock farms in the county. It is well improved, and 
about 150 acres are under cultivation. 

WILLIS WILCOX, 

section 23. The subject of this sketch.was born in Menard County, Illi- 
nois, January 29, 1853, and when one year old he accompanied the family 
on their move to Missouri. He resided in that state six months, and 



904 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

from there went to Iowa, remaining eighteen months. He afterwards 
returned to Missouri, and settled in this county. Here he was reared to 
manhood and educated, following the occupation of farming. In 1877 he 
settled on his present place, where he has 160 acres of land, most of which 
is under cultivation. Mr. W. was married March 29, 1874, to Rowena 
Hunt, a native of Missouri. They have two' children, Elfie and Carrie. 

SAMUEL YARNALL, 

section 11, is a native of Harrison County, Kentucky, and was born 
February 15, 1835. At the age of eighteen months he immigrated with 
the family to Vermillion County, Illinois, where he was reared to man- 
hood and educated, following the occupation of larming. In 1854 he 
came to this state and settled in Nodaway County, and in 1869 located 
on his present place. He has a neat farm of fifty acres of land as good 
as any in the vicinity, most of which is under cultivation. He was mar- 
ried July 17, 1867, to Letha Stingley, a native of Clinton County, Mis- 
souri, and daughter of Moses Stingley, an old settler of this county. 
They have four children: Anna M., Etta L., Leota M. and Franklin T. 
Mr. Yarnall has been township constable for one term, also clerk of the 
township three terms. He has served as school director of his district 
for the past ten years. During the war he enlisted in Company C, Fourth 
Missouri Regiment, enlisting in 1862. He served till the close of 
the war. 

JAMES A. YARNALL, 

section 22. The subject of this sketch was born in Vermillion County, 
Illinois, May 28, 1841. At the age of thirteen years he emigrated, with 
the family, to Missouri and settled in this county and township. He was 
here raised to manhood and received an education from the schools of 
the county. He was brought up in his present occupation, and now has 
530 acres of land that will compare with any in the county, most of which 
is under cultivation. As a successful and progressive farmer. Mr. Yar- 
nall is well and favorably known. He was united in marriage, Novem- 
ber 12, 1865, to Miss Rebecca S. Scott, a native of Missouri. They have 
seven children : Frisby A., Dorcas L., Mary A., James A., Florence R., 
Belva C. and Alfred. In 1861 Mr. Y. enlisted in the six months call for 
volunteers, and after serving that length of time, in April, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company C, Fourth Regiment Missouri State Militia, and 
served till the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Spring- 
field, Missouri, Horse Creek, and many others of lesser note. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 



A. T. BLEYLEY, 

carpenter and notary public, also insurance agent,, is a native of Ger- 
many, and was born September 17, 1829. When about sixteen years oldi 
he came to America, landing at New York, and then located in Cin- 
cinnati, where he resided for about ten years. He was principally 
educated in his native country, although he attended school for some 
time in Cincinnati. While there he learned the carpenter trade, and in 
1857, moved to Illinois, and located in Quincy, where he followed his trade 
till 1861. He then settled at Ottumwa, Iowa, and in 1864, he came 
to Conception, where he has since worked at his trade, in connection 
with other work and official business. He was made a notary public in 
1873, and has also served seven years as justice of the peace. Mr. B. was 
married October 8, 1856, to Miss Barbara Krape, who was born in Ger- 
many in September, 1832. They have nine children : Mary, Andy J.,. 
Albert, John, Anna, Clara, Frank, Barbara and Francis. Mr. B. and 
family are Catholics. 

OLIVER P. BOGART, 

farmer and school teacher, section 16, is a son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Bishop) Bogart, the formerjof Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. He 
was born in Seneca County, Ohio, October 27, 1839, and was reared and 
educated in his native county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Forty- 
ninth Ohio, and remained in service for twenty-three months, being 
wounded in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, thus disabling him for duty. 
In 1868 he came to Missouri and shortly located where he now resides. 
When about sixteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed about five years, and has also worked at it at various inter- 
vals. He began teaching when he was twenty-one years of age, and 
this he has since continued to a greater or less extent. He now has a 
farm of 160 acres on which he resides, also eighty acres in the vicinity. 
Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married August 
6, 1868 to Miss Ophelia Emery, a daughter of Judson and Lucinda (Mead) 
Emery, the former of Maine and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. B. was born 
in Henry County, Ohio, January 13, 1850. She was there reared and 
was married in Oberlin, Ohio, where she had resided for a short time. 



906 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

REV. FATHER FRO WIN CONRAD, 

Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery, Conception, is a native of Aargan, 
Switzerland, and was born November 2, 1833. He commenced his 
studies in October, 1844, and entered the Abbey Engelberg, Winterwal- 
•den. in 1853, being ordained as priest September 14, 1856. He arrived 
in New York May 20, 1873, and came to Conception September 18, 1873, 
and dedicated the first Monastery (a frame building) February 8, 1874. 
He commenced the life in community January I, 1874, with four students 
and three lay brothers as a Priory of Benedictine Order. The same 
year he enlarged the parish church of St. Columba, and on the 6th of 
April, 1880, laid the corner-stone of the new Monastery, and has finished 
the west wing and one-half of the south wing. They occupied this 
building on the 7th day of April, 1881. On the 5th day of April, 1881, 
the Benedictine Priory of Conception was erected into an Abbey called 
New Engelberg, by Pope Leo XIII., and on the 29th of June, 1881, Fro- 
win Conrad was solemnly blessed as the first Abbot by Bishop J. J. 
Hogan. 

AUGUSTUS J. ENIS, 

farmer, was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 23, 1839, an d is of 
French ancestry. He resided in his native county, engaged in farming, 
till 1869, when he came to his present location, where he was interested 
in the blacksmith trade and wagon-making till 1879. Since that time 
he has been engaged in farming and working at the carpenter's trade. 
He and his brother, F. A. Enis, have a farm of ninety acres. He has 
also been agent for the Phcenix Insurance Company, of Hartford, for 
several years, and has done considerable business in that line, being 
representative of one of the most reliable companies in the United 
States. He was also tax collector of Jefferson Township for two terms. 
Mr. E. was married October 21, 1861, to Miss Philomena Ritchlin, who 
was born in Richland County, Ohio, September 16, 1841. They have 
had seven children, six of whom are living : Laura F., John A., Francis 
E., Nelson I., Charles J. and Ernest E. Mr. E. and family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

FRANCIS A. ENIS, 

blacksmith, is a native of Ohio and was born in Richland County, Jan- 
uary 17, 1842. His parents were natives of France. He was reared in 
his native county on a farm, and when eighteen years old he learned the 
blacksmith's trade, which he followed for eighteen months. In 1862 he 
enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Second Ohio Infantry, and 
participated in a number of important battles, remaining in service for 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 907 

three years, when he returned to Ohio. He again began work at his 
trade, which he followed till 1868, when he came to Conception. Here 
he has since resided and also has continued his calling. Mr. E. was 
married April 21, 1867, to Miss Ragena Remlinger. She was born in 
France, April 1, 1844. They have five children: Catherine, Augustus 
W., James M., Victorene and Willie. Mr. E. and family are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

NICHOLAS HAEHNLEIN, 

farmer, section 19, was born September 27, 1837, in Germany, and was 
reared in that country on a farm, there being educated. He has fol- 
lowed farming as an occupation during life, except during the six years 
previous to coming to America, when he served as a soldier in the war. 
In 1869 he emigrated to this country landing at New York, and after 
staying a short time in different states, he came to his present location, 
and now has a farm of eighty-five acres. Mr. H. was married Novem- 
ber 8, 1870, to Miss Athata Meyer. She was born in Germany, January 
6, 1842. They have one child, Agnes. Mr. H. and family are Catholics. 

H. D. JONES, 

of the firm of Jones & Keller, proprietors of the city meat market, Clyde, 
was born in Scotland County, Missouri, September 23, 185 1. He was 
reared on a farm in his native county, and followed farming as an occu- 
pation there till August, 1880, with the exception of a short time when 
he was engaged in the mercantile trade. He was a resident of Nebraska 
for a short time, and in August, 1880, he came to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and located on his farm, which now contains forty acres. He has 
since been interested in the butchering business, in connection with farm- 
ing. Mr. Jones was married October 17, 1871, to Miss Malissa Roberts, 
who was born in Guernsey County, Illinois, August 31, 1850. She came 
to Missouri when two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. J. have three children : 
Alonzo, Guily M. and Richard. 

JOHN KELLER, 

of the firm of Jones and Keller, was born in Huron County, Ohio, Decem- 
1 er 23, 1840. He was reared in his native county on a farm, and in i860 
he went to Defiance County, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming and 
carpentering till 1870. At that time he moved to Rulo, Nebraska. While 
there he was engaged in carpentering and farming, and was also for a 
time in the grocery business. In the year 188 1 he came to his present 
location and engaged in the business which now occupies his attention. 
Mr. K. was married October 27, 1876, to Miss Malissa Fondrum. She was 



908 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

born in Germany in 1850. They have four children : Mary M., Eddie 
J., Willie C. and Leo. 

CASPER KAISER, 

dealer in hardware and tinware, was born in Germany, and when about 
fourteen years of age, he learned the tinners' trade, at which he worked 
some time. In 1869, he came to America, landing at New York, and 
first located in Cedar County, Nebraska, where he resided for six years, 
working on a farm and at his trade. He then worked in Michigan and 
Southern Missouri, and in 1877, came to Conception, and thence to 
Clyde, as soon as the town was founded, he being the second person to 
engage in this business. 

GOTTFRIED KOENIG, 

known in English as Godfrey King, is a farmer on section 20. He was 
born in Prussia, Germany, February 22, 1831, and was educated in his 
native land, there being brought up as a shepherd boy. When sixteen 
years of age, he came with his parents to America, landing at New 
Orleans, and afterwards located in Grant County, Wisconsin, where they 
resided till 1868. Mr. Koenig then came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
where he now owns a landed estate of 245 acres. He was married Sep- 
tember 24, 1850. to Miss Dora D. Kirchberg. She was born in the same 
part of Germany as himself, January 4, 1832, and came to America when 
seventeen years old, landing at New York. She was married in Grant 
County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. K. have had thirteen children, nine 
of whom are living: Mary, Margaret, John F., Edward, Mary D., Clara 
F., Joseph P., John E. and Rosa L. 

JOSEPH LAGER, 

farmer, section 1 1, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, Octo- 
ber 29, 1838. When he was six years of age his parents came to Amer- 
ica, and located in Clinton County, Illinois, where he was reared on a 
farm. When nineteen he began to learn the blacksmith trade, and this 
he followed for eleven years, since which time he has been engaged in 
farming. In 1869 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he has 
since resided. His farm contains 182 acres of land. Mr. L. was mar- 
ried June 13, 1865, to Miss Agnes Kwlhman, who was born in Franklin 
County, Indiana, August 2, 1845. Her parents were natives of Ger- 
many. Mr. and Mrs. Lager have five children : John F., born June 20, 
1869; Harman R., born August 28, 1872; Clara, born September 7, 
1876 ; Joseph, born March 29, 1879, ant ^ Harman, born November 5, 
[881. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 909 

JOHN LANNING. 

farmer, section 5, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, September 22, 
1828, and came to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1843, locating in Grant 
Township, Nodaway County, in 185 1. There he improved a good farm 
and lived upon it for thirty years, and in October, 1881, he sold out and 
bought some land which is better adapted for stock purposes than the 
old farm. This embraces 120 acres, and is situated on section 5 of this 
township. Mr. Lanning married Miss Susan Ann Lucas, in Andrew- 
County, Missouri, September 21, 1849. She was originally from Clay 
County, Indiana, but came to Missouri in 1844. They have eleven chil- 
dren living: Wilmina, Nancy Jane, Isaac J., Eliza Letta, Mary Emeline, 
Thomas A., Katie (died when four years old), Sarah Leona, George W., 
Elizabeth May, John Cooper and Susan Alice. Mr. Lanning is an indus- 
trious and honorable man, and after a residence of thirty years in Grant 
Township, carried the good wishes of his old neighbors to his new home. 
Mrs. Lanning is a self-reliant business woman, exhibiting excellent judg- 
ment in many transactions, and is respected by all. Though commencing 
life poor Mr. L. and his wife have reared a large family, and by their 
economy and good management have secured a good home. 

john Mccarty, 

farmer, section 31, is a native of Ireland, and was born in the year 1830. 
He was reared and educated in his native country, and while there was 
engaged in his present occupation. In 1850 he came to America, land- 
ing at New York, and was employed by the Brooklyn Gas Company, of 
Brooklyn, till 1858, when he came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Here 
he has since resided and now owns a farm of 200 acres, all of which is 
well improved. Mr. McC. was married January 27, 1853, to Miss Bridget 
Herbert, who was also born in Ireland in 1829. She emigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1849, landing in New York, where their marriage occurred. Mr. 
and Mrs. McCarty have five children: John H., James C, Thomas R., 
Francis J. and Mary E. Mr. McCarty and family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

L. J. MANN, 

farmer, section 11, was born in Monroe County, West Virginia, August 
22, 1829. He was reared on a farm, and, upon becoming of age, he 
embarked in the mercantile trade, which he followed for six years. 
Since that time he has been principally engaged in farming. In [867, 
he came to Missouri, residing in St. Joseph till 1869, when he came to 
Nodaway County. He now has a landed estate of 200 acres. He has 
been township clerk and assessor one term each since he came to Noda- 



9IO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

way County. Mr. Mann was married November 22, 1855, to Miss Nana 
Crews. She was also born in Monroe County, West Virginia, Septem- 
ber 27, 1837. They have had six children, five of whom are living : 
Aurelia M., Oscar T., Archibald C, Mary M. and Charlie W. Mr. M. is 
a son of James and Nancy W. (Humphreys) Mann, both natives of Mon- 
roe County, West Virginia. He was of German descent, and his wife 
of Irish ancestry. Mrs. M. is a daughter of Thomas T. and Eveline 
(Anderson) Crews. Her father was of West Virginia, and her mother 
of Virginia. 

WILLIS METCALF, 

farmer, section 26, was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, April 5, 
1826. He was reared and educated in his native county, and followed 
farming till seventeen years of age, when he learned the shoemaker's 
trade. This he followed till 1850, residing in Kentucky during that 
time. He then moved to Iowa and located in Dallas County, where he 
remained one year, after which he moved to Van Buren County. Two 
years later he moved to Wayne County, and in 1859 to Maryville. In 
1861 St. Joseph became his home. There he was engaged in different 
occupations till the fall of 1861, when he returned to Wayne County, 
Iowa. In 1863 he went to Wapello County, where he farmed a short 
time and then resumed work at his trade and conducting a hotel 
till 1866. Mr. Metcalf afterwards came to his present location, where he 
has now a farm of eighty acres. He was married February 13, 1848, to 
Miss Susannah Lancaster, who was born in Franklin County, Kentucky, 
February 19, 1820. They have had ten chileren, eight of whom are now 
living : Mary C, Ann E., Apoline, Martha J., Belle, Josephine, William 
E. and John H. Mr. M. and family are members of the Catholic Church. 

WILLIAM D. MILLER, 

farmer, section 21, was born May 4, 1835, in Darke County, Ohio, and is 
a son of James and Elizabeth (Davidson) Miller, the former of Pennsyl- 
vania and the latter of Virginia. In 1839 W. D., with his parents, 
moved to Huntington County, Indiana, and in 1866 he came to Noda- 
way County, where he has since resided. He has made farming his 
occupation during life, and now has a farm of 1 14 acres. He was mar- 
ried July 4, 1862, to Miss Martha Black, a daughter of William and 
Eliza (Branyan) Black, both natives of Ireland. Mrs. M. was born in 
Dayton, Ohio, July 10, 1840. When six years of age her parents moved 
to Huntington County, Indiana, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. 
M. have had ten children, six of whom are now living : Charles R., 
Edmond H., Emma E., James A., Ida B., and Thomas N. Mr. and Mrs. 
M. are members of the M. E. Church. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 911 

DR. HENRY H. ROSS, 

druggist, was born in Lee County, Iowa, November 2, 1843, an ^ when 
six years of age his parents moved to Hancock County, Illinois, where 
he was reared and educated, spending his boyhood days on a farm. In 
1861 he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and 
remained in service for about five months, participating in the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing and several skirmishes. He then returned to Illinois,, 
and embarked in the drug trade, which he has since made his principal 
occupation. His parents, James R. and Belinda (Frater) Ross, were 
natives of Kentucky, his father being a practicing physician of many 
years experience. His son H. H. has also made it a study the most of 
his life. In 1873 ne came to Missouri, locating in Livingston Count}-, 
and in 1875 moved to Daviess County, where he lived till August, 188 1. 
Since that time he has been the leading druggist of Clyde. Dr. Ross 
was married April 9, 1867, to Miss Lucy Hill, who was born in Boone 
County, Missouri, April 29, 1847. They have three children, Anna L., 
James H. and Charles. 

W. S. RYAN, 

farmer and proprietor of saw mill, section 27, was born in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, February 28, 1843. He is a son of Lemuel and 
Jane (Carter) Ryan, both natives of Ohio, the former of French descent 
and the latter of Irish ancestry. W. S. was reared and educated in his 
native county until seventeen years of age, and also in the town of Fair- 
view. He then went to Mississippi, where he was engaged in driving 
a stage from Iuka to Aberdeen. This occupation he continued for two 
years. He then moved to Arkansas, where he remained ten months, 
and upon returning to Mississippi he resumed the business of stage 
driving for four months. He next located at Memphis, Tennessee, and 
for ten months was engaged in railroading, and alter this he was 
employed by the Southern Express Company for four months. In 1862, 
he went to Cincinnati, where he worked for the government for one 
year, and then took charge of General Burnside's stock at his head- 
quarters till 1865. After this time he returned to his native home and 
engaged in operating a saw mill, which he continued till 1868, when he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri. With the exception of three years 
he has since been engaged in farming and conducting a saw mill. Mr. 
R. was married December 19, 1867, to Miss P. L. Ferguson, who was 
born in Guernsey County, Ohio, February 8, 1849. She is a daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Mills) Ferguson, both natives of Ohio. Her 
father was of Irish origin and her mother of German descent. The 
family of Mr. and Mrs. R. consists of four children : Lemon T., John 
M., Charles McC. and Otha S. F. 



912 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOSEPH SCHOLZE, 

merchant, and the postmaster of Conception, is a native of Austria, 
and was born in the town of Harrachsthal, May 3, 1845. He was there 
reared and educated, and during his boyhood days he worked at the 
■weaver's trade. When seventeen years old he learned the trade of stone 
cutting, which he followed in his mother land till the spring of i868> 
when he came to America, landing in New York. He followed his trade 
in New York and different parts of Pennsylvania till 1876, when he came 
to Conception, where he has since been engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and has held the office of postmaster since December, 1880. Mr. 
Scholze was married June 6, 1869, to Miss Mary Wanner. She was born 
in Brookville, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1853, and there resided till her 
marriage. They have six children: Susanah A., Clements H., Veron- 
icka S., Elizabeth A., Barbara P. and Joseph F. 

CALEB P. SMITH, 

■druggist and liquor dealer, Clyde, Missouri, is a native of West Virginia, 
and was born in Monroe County, February 16, 1845. In the spring of 
1857, he moved to Andrew County, Missouri, with his parents, Anderson 
and Elizabeth (Lively) Smith, who were also natives of West Virginia. 
They resided in Andrew County for one year, and then moved to Noda- 
way County. C. P. was reared on a farm, but during life has been 
engaged in various occupations. He commenced in his present business 
in July, 1 88 1, and has since met with favorable results. He also' has a 
well improved farm of 200 acres. During the late war, he was in the 
service of the home guards for about twelve months. He was married, 
April 19, 1868, to Miss L. Davis, who was born in Morgan County, Ohio, 
May 9, 1852. She resided in her native county until 1865, when she 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri. Her parents, Jacob and Rebecca 
(Rees) Davis, were both natives of Ohio. The family of Mr. and Mrs. S. 
consists of four children : John R., Mary A., Dora S. and Charles A. 

WILLIS SUMMER. 

farmer, section 15, a respected citizen and one of the pioneers in the 
Platte Purchase, is a son of Nicholas and Susana (Bannister) Summer, 
who were both natives of South Carolina. Willis was born in Morgan 
County, l^ast Tennessee, March 17, 1820 He was reared and educated 
in his native county, and in 1840 he emigrated to Missouri, and in the 
following spring located in Andrew County. He there passed through 
man)' hardships which all pioneers had to endure, and in 1856 he moved 
to Nodaway County, locating in Washington Township. There he 
resided till the fall of 1870, when he returned to Andrew Count)'. The 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 913 

summer of 1876 found him for the second time a citizen of Nodaway 
County, he residing- in Jefferson Township. He was reared a farmer 
boy, which occupation he has followed the greater part of his life. He 
now owns a farm of 215 acres. During the late war Mr. S. was in the 
Missouri State Militia for three months, and also with Price three 
months. April 25, 1844, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Chandler. 
She is a daughter of John and Mary W. (Gibson) Chandler, the former 
of Kentucky, and the latter of Tennessee. * Mrs. S. was born in Chris- 
tian County, Kentucky, March 16, 1826. When she was a child her 
parents moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where she was reared and 
educated. In 1841 they moved to Andrew County, Missouri, where she 
was married. Mr. and Mrs. S. have had ten children, six of whom are 
now living : May J., James M., William H., Nancy A., Samuel N., and 
Willis D. 

B. TOLLER, 

blacksmith and dealer in agricultural implements, Clyde, is a native of 
Hanover, Germany, and was born in the town of Harn, on the Ems, in 
January, 1845. He was reared in his native town and there received the 
advantage of a good education. His father and grand-father being black- 
smiths by trade, he also learned that occupation and worked with his 
father for two years. He then traveled for four years over Europe, visit- 
ing many of the important cities, working at his trade wherever he 
stopped. He was for three months (during the year 1867) in the army, 
serving in the cavalry. At the expiration of that time he started for 
America, landing at New York, May, 1867. He went first to Cincinnati 
where he followed his trade for six months ; thence to Lafayette, Indiana, 
remaining four months, and then went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he 
lived five years, working at his trade. Mr. T. then moved to Neola, 
Iowa, where in connection with his trade, he was also engaged in dealing 
in hardware and agricultural implements. He was one of the pioneers 
of that town, and helped to build the first church in the town, which was 
■of the Catholic faith. In 1879 he came to Clyde and opened a hardware 
store, and was the first to engage in this branch in the new town. He 
continued that business till May, 1881, since which time he has followed 
his present occupation. In May, 188 1, he bought twenty-two acres of 
land, which he sub-divided into lots, and it is now known as Toller's 
Addition. Mr. T. was married May 4, 1869, to Miss Josephine Volmer, 
who was born in the town of Meppen, Germany, August 25, 1845. She 
was there educated and came to America in 1868, landing at Baltimore, 
and from there wended her way to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she was 
married. They have had six children, five of whom are living: Barn- 
hard, born February 9, 1871, in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mary M. C, born 
November 6, 1873, in Neola, Iowa; William H., born March 10, 1876, in 



914 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Neola, Iowa; John R., born September I, 1878, in Neola, Iowa; Joseph 
C, born February 4, 1881, in Conception, Missouri. Mr. T. and family 
are active members of the Catholic Church. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



JOSEPH AKERS, 

blacksmith, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 1, 1841, and 
received a good common education. When sixteen years of age, he 
learned the blacksmith trade, and has made it his life business. In 1861, 
he joined the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after three 
years veteranized, and served to the close of the war, being mustered 
out June 19, 1866. He participated in the battles of Cheat Mountain, 
Green Brier, Virginia, Camp Baldwin, on the Alleghany, and many other 
engagements. He received two severe wounds, besides other slight 
injuries, and acted as sergeant. Some time after receiving an honorable 
discharge, he married Miss Emma Ryan, of Belmont County, Ohio, in 
1867, after which he located in Guilford. They have four children : 
Henry Mitchell, Maggie Nora, Fannie Nellie, and Edward Scott. Mr. 
Akers' father is William Akers, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Akers is the 
daughter of Lemuel Ryan. Mr. A. belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 
He is an industrious man, a good mechanic, and is doing the leading 
business for a large scope of country. 

WILEY J. BRITTAIN, 

farmer, section 14, was born in North Carolina, March 28, 1812, and came 
to this state in 1845, locating in this county in 1848. He bought his 
farm and commenced improving it, and was among the first to clear a 
place, as he and Mr. Christopher Weathermon are the oldest settlers now 
living in the township. Mr. B. married Nancy Royal, in North Caro- 
lina, in 1833. They had eight children, six of whom are living : Eliza- 
beth L., John W., Fletcher E., Thomas H., Lodawick C. and Mary N. Mrs. 
Brittain died in 1874, since which time Mr. B. has lived among his chil- 
dren, all of them being married and settled within two miles of the old 
homestead. Mr. B. came here without means and has made his home by 
hard work. He owns 109 acres of land. He reared and educated his 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 91 5 

family, and has secured a reputation which will be cherished by his family 
and friends as of priceless value. He is a Republican in politics, and in 
religious faith is a Methodist. John W. Brittain, his son, is engaged in 
farming, he owning 125 acres of land on section 13, well improved. He 
married Miss Martha J. Weathermon in April, 1870. They have two 
children : Henry Clay, born April 2, 1877, an d Maggie A., born Sep- 
tember 2, 1879. 

JAMES CARVER, 

nurseryman, was born in Freeport, Harrison County, Ohio, May [7, 1826, 
and received a common school education, being brought up as a farmer, 
which has been his principal occupation. In 1865 he came to Iowa, and 
in 1868 located in this county and township. He bought ten acres of 
fine land in the village of Guilford, and at once started a nursery, and 
since that time has started another near Sweet Home. His nursery has 
supplied nearly all the trees for the large orchards in the eastern part of 
the county, and every one speaks in the highest terms of his trees and 
the fruit as represented. He is increasing his business year by year, 
wholesaling large quantities to other nurseries. He has a beautiful 
orchard, one of the very finest, of about 1,000 trees, with one of the 
neatest homes in the town. Mr. C. is reliable in all his promises, genial 
in his manners and a valuable acquaintance. He married Miss Maria 
Mummy, of Morgan County, Ohio, June 7, 1849. They have three chil- 
dren : Mary Jane, wife of Oscar A. Stewart, Elmer Ellsworth and Dims- 
dill. The sons are giving their attention to the nursery and stock 
business. Mr. C. is a Republican, and belongs to the M. E. Church. 

BARTLETT LIVINGSTON COOK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born in Ashe County, North 
Carolina, January 13, 1828, and was the son of Henry Cook, a farmer, 
who was born in Burke County, North Carolina, and Anna (Shearer) 
Cook, a native of Ashe County, North Carolina. Bartlett received his 
primary schooling in his native state, and in 1842 with his father, came 
to Buchanan County, Missouri, being among the pioneers there. He 
was reared and received a fair education there, and for some time was 
engaged in teaching, and at other times in making himself generally 
useful about the place. When at the age of eighteen years, or in 1846, 
he enlisted in the Mexican war under Colonel Doniphan and served 
until 1847, acquiring for himself an enviable record as a young soldier. 
In 1850 he located in Nodaway County, where he now owns 220 acres of 
land, making one of the finest farms in the county. As an agriculturist 
Mr. Clark is a success, and all things around the place denote taste, 
culture and enterprise. During the late war he was a member of the 



9l6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry for one year. He has served as 
a justice of the peace for twelve years, was township assessor at the 
time of the state census, took the census of this township, and in 1880 
was appointed United States census enumerator, discharging all duties 
of these offices with good judgment. He is a Democrat in political views, 
while his religious preferences are with the Baptists. Mr. Cook was 
married March 25, 1849, to Miss Mary Graves, daughter of Anthony 
Graves, late of this township and formerly of Buchanan County. Their 
family consists of Henry, (who married Miss Ellen Class, of Kansas), 
Anna, (wife of Captain George W. Stabler, of Kansas), Nannie, Sarah, 
(now Mrs. Jacob P. Hawk, of this county), William R., Joseph F. and 
Rosa B. Mr. Cook is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

WILLIAM S. DUNLAP, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born in Platte County, Missouri, 
in 1837,. and came to this county in the fall of 1852 with his father Alex- 
ander D., and bought the farm where he now lives. He married Mrs. 
Mary Richards, formerly Mary Sharp, of this county. June 11, 1876. 
They have four children living : Lottie May, William Lee, Isaac A., 
and Mary Rena. Mrs. D. has one son by her first marriage, Arthur C. 
Mr. Dunlap was engaged in the freighting business for many years, but 
he returned home in 1866 and settled down on his farm, made valuable 
improvements, and has a very desirable place. His landed estate con- 
sists of 306 acres. He is a genial, kind, and worthy man, knows much 
n{ the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and is deserving of honorable 
mention for his many acts of goodness as a neighbor and friend. He is 
Democratic in politics, and a Presbyterian in religious preferences.- 
Alexander Dunlap was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, in 1808, 
and came to Platte County, Missouri, in 1837, and there bought his 
claim. He married Elizabeth Hepler in Virginia in 1833. They have 
four children living : James Franklin, William S., Virginia C, and 
Carrie. Samuel died at the age of seven years. Mr. D. was an early 
pioneer of the count}-, improved a good farm, and when he died Octo- 
ber 18, 1877, he left a good name. Mrs. Dunlap finds a pleasant home in 
her decling days with her son William S. 

• 
ALEXANDER FLOY I), 

retired merchant, was born in Kentucky, October 17, 1836, and received 
a good common school education, his early life being spent on a farm. 
In 1865, ne came to this county, and engaged in merchandizing in Guil- 
ford, where .he continued for eleven years, then moving his stock to 
Bolckow. Here he operated the business until 1878, when on account 



WASHIN rTON TOWNSHIP. 917 

of poor health, he sold out and returned to Guilford, building a fine resi- 
dence upon his beautiful twenty acre lot, and otherwise improving it. 
Ten years ago he set out an orchard of 1,000 trees on the lot, and since 
has added all kinds of small fruit, so that he now has one of the finest 
bearing orchards in this county, filled with choice varieties. He has 
also started an apiary of bees. Mr. Floyd has a natural talent for busi- 
ness, and has been successful in every undertaking. Genial in his man- 
ners, he has hosts of friends, and is one of the substantial men of the 
county. He was appointed postmaster in 1866, and held that position 
for eleven years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and his family 
to the M. E. Church South. Mr. F. married Sarah Jane Skidmore, of 
this village, in February, 1865. They have four children : Millie Eliza- 
beth, Florence P., Clarence Victor Buck, and Alexander T. 

ANTHONY GRAVES 

was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, on the 4th of February, 1800, 
and was the son of John and Sarah (Sharp) Graves, both natives of North 
Carolina. He passed his youth in East Tennessee, on his father's farm, 
and received a very limited education, but was a man of excellent mind 
and a great mental calculator. He was one of the pioneers of Buchanan 
County, Missouri, having settled near DeKalb in 1840. Jn the year 1850 
he moved to Nodaway County and located on section 15, township 62, 
range 34, and there he followed the vocation of a farmer until the time 
of his death. Mr. Graves was twice married : First, in 182 1, to Judy 
W. Bledsoe, who was the mother of four of his children. She died in 
1828. Soon after he married Martha Lower, and by this union there are 
eleven children. About the year 1846 he and his wife joined the Pre- 
destinarian Baptist Church, and were for a long period faithful members 
of that denomination. He died January 11, 1882, leaving a family con- 
sisting of : Nancy, wife of Capt. J. G. Allen, now of this county ; Eliza- 
beth, wife of Levi Sharp, who died a few years ago ; Hugh H., married 
Elizabeth Reynolds — he died in the late war; Rebecca, wife of Isaac 
Sharp, of this county ; John, married Elizabeth Landrum, now of Atchison 
County, Kansas ; Sarah, wife of Quinton Wilson, now of this county ; 
Mary, wife of B. L. Cook, now of this county ; Rosannah, wife of James 
B. Wilson, now of this county ; Jacob, married Emaline Groves, now of 
Atchison County, Kansas ; Henry, married Eunice Donaldson, now of 
this county ; Martha, wife of William H. Pope, now of this county ; 
James K. P., married Catharine Mangan, now of this county ; Catharine, 
wife of John S. Miller, present county clerk ; William A., who died at the 
age of eight years, and Lutisha, wife of John R. Donaldson, now of this 
county. In honor and uprightness Mr. Graves was equaled by few and 
surpassed by none. Industrious himself, he raised an industrious family. 



918 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

He never craved for wealth — only for a competency. Every one of his 
children, thirteen in number, were present at his bedside when he died. 
He has eighty-one living grand children and seventy-three living great- 
grand children. 

JACKSON GROVE, 

farmer, section 10, was born on the 7th of September, 1836, the place of 
his birth being Ross County, Ohio. He was the son of John and 
Susannah (Van Pelt) Grove, the former a native of Ohio, and a farmer 
by occupation, and the latter was also born in Ohio. Jackson resided 
with his parents in his native county until 1841, when he accompanied 
them to Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, and, in the spring of 1842, 
came to this county. He was one of the earliest settlers, and has been 
raised to and experienced all the inconveniences, hardships and trials 
peculiar to pioneer life. This has tended to make him feel a great inter- 
est in his adopted county, and consequently no one has done a greater 
share in promoting every enterprise calculated to benefit the commu- 
nity or to elevate the morals of society. Mr. Grove owns a finely 
improved farm of 186 acres, well stocked with a graded herd, and upon 
the place is a good residence, barn, and all necessary out buildings. 
During the war, he served in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry for nearly 
three years, acquiring an eviable record. He is Democratic in politics, 
and a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Grove has been twice 
married. First, December 24, 1859, to Miss Talitha Gibson, daughter of 
William Gibson. Mrs. Grove died January 28, 1862, leaving one son, 
John William. Mr. G. was married a second time to Mrs. Louisa Nelson, 
April 5, 1868. She was a daughter of Godfrey D. Stout. 

JACOB P. HAWK, 

merchant, Guilford, was born in Washington Township, Nodaway County, 
Missouri, on the 24th day of February, 1855, and is a son of Solomon and 
Sevila (Moler) Hawk. The former was a native of Virginia, and is one 
of the substantial men of this township. He is an excellent farmer, and 
has one of the finest home farms in the neighborhood. Mrs. "Hawk was 
born in Indiana. Jacob received his education in the common schools, 
and when not attending there his time was passed in a store. In the 
fall of 1877 he started a business in Guilford, with by no means a poor 
stock of goods, and though the town had her quota of merchants before, 
he went to work with a will to establish a good trade. That he has done 
this is evidenced by his popularity and the confidence which the com- 
munity bestow upon him. In 1878 he was appointed postmaster and is 
at present conducting the duties of that office in a manner satisfactory 
to all. Mr. Hawk was married November 21, 1876, to Miss Sadie C. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 919 

Cook, daughter of B. L. Cook, of this place. They have three children : 
Ervin F., born July 24, 1877; Stella V., born January 5, 1879; an< ^ an 
infant son, born January 12, 1882. Mr. H. is a Republican, and his relig- 
ious preferences are with the United Brethren. 

CHARLES D. HOCKER, 

farmer, section 10, is a native of Lincoln County, Kentucky, where he 
was born October 27, 1840, and is the son of Philip S. and Amanda 
(Duncan) Hocker. The former was a native of Maryland, and was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife was born in Virginia. Charles 
spent his youth at school and on a farm until March, 1866, when he came 
to Missouri, locating in Holt County. At that time he owned nothing 
but a team, but possessed of a willing heart and stout hands, he com- 
menced work by renting a farm in Holt County. After toiling for three 
years, he had secured enough to purchase forty acres of land, which now 
constitutes a portion of his present farm. In March, 1864, he came N 
to this county. He has been adding to his original purchase from 
time to time, until at present he owns 240 acres. He erected a beautiful 
residence, and made other needed improvements, and now has a pleasant 
home, which is presided over by one of the best of housewives. Mr. 
Hocker is known among his neighbors as an upright and honest man, 
full of practical enterprise, and always ready with a word of cheer to 
those in whose company he may chance to be. He was married January 
23, 1866, to Martha L. McKinney, a daughter of Jefferson McKinney. 
Their family consists of Jefferson, born December 12, 1866: Joseph L. 
born May 17, 1869; Amanda J., born February 20, 1871 ; Charles C, 
born September 1, 1873, and Ida, born October 1, 1876. Mr. Hocker is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a Democrat in politics and 
a member of the Christian Church. 

ADAM S. McCLANAHAN, 

farmer, is the owner of 220 acres of land in section 23. He was born in 
Cooper County, Missouri, March 21, 1830, and in 1853 he settled in Gentry 
County, coming to this county in 1855, where he has since lived. He 
married Nancy E. Chandler, of this county, August 26, 1857. They 
have five children: John M., William D., Mary E., Jane Ann, and James 
H. Mr. McClanahan came here poor, and is entitled to much credit for 
making and improving his fine farm and home. He has been an honest, 
industrious, hard working man, and his good residence and improve- 
ments show taste and superior judgment. He has a bright, intelligent 
family of children, to whom he has given good school advantages. Two 
of the sons are at present engaged in teaching. Mr. McC. is one of the 
reliable citizens of the township. Politically he is a Democrat, and in 
his religious preferences a Methodist. 



920 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

BENJAMIN F. MOLER 

was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, May 13, 1841, and in the spring 
of 1850 came to Missouri with his father, who bought a farm on section 
27, and improved it, and in 1853 he died. Benjamin F. settled on sec- 
tion 11, adding to his original purchase from time to time until he now 
has a finely improved farm of 130 acres, with fruit in abundance and 
everything about him to make home desirable and happy. Mr. Moler 
married Miss Elizabeth Paul, of this township, November 22, 1863. 
They have two children : Emma Belle and Charles B. Mrs. Moler is 
the daughter of Thomas Paul. Mr. Moler has been raised and educated 
in this state, and is strictly a western man. He is Republican in poli- 
tics. Mr. Moler was a strong union man, and enlisted in the Thirteenth 
Missouri Volunteer Infantry during the war, and was taken prisoner at 
Lexington, Missouri, by Price. He was paroled, then returned home 
and joined the state troops, and served in this capacity faithfully. 

JACOB PUGH, 

farmer, section 13, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, on the 
20th of November, 18 13, being a son of Jacob and Dorcas (Glascom) 
Pugh. The former, a farmer by occupation, was a native of North Caro- 
lina, in which state Mrs. Pugh was also born. The subject of this sketch 
spent his youth at home and in attending the schools of the vicinity. In 
the fall of 1856 he came to Missouri and located in Nodaway County, 
having in his possession just enough money to purchase a small home 
and commence farming. This land was on the Wild Cat, and to his 
original purchase he kept making additions until he owned a finely 
improved farm, on which he lived for over twenty-four years. He then 
sold out and bought his present large farm, in the spring of 1881. This 
embraces 360 acres, and upon it Mr. Pugh has built an excellent barn 
and residence, and when the contemplated improvements are completed 
upon the place it will be one of the best in Nodaway County. He keeps 
a large herd of good stock. During the late war he belonged to the 
Fifth Missouri, doing duty for over one year. He is Republican in poli- 
tics. Mr. Pugh has been twice married — first in February, 1837, to Miss 
Mary Ann Miller, in Indiana, who died in Linn County, Iowa, in the fall 
of 1849. In June, 185 1, he was again marred to Mrs. Harriet Dollarhide. 
Mr. Pugh's family by his first wife consists of: Martha, now Mrs. Francis 
D. Hughes; Minerva, now Mrs. H. D. Hickok ; William, George, James 
and John. By the latter union there are six children : Winfield S., Mary 
C, (now Mrs. Geo. Cooper ;) Samuel M., Jacob T., Alexander and Joseph 
V. Mr. Pugh is an enterprising man, and believes it his duty to do things 
for the benefit of the community as well as for his individual profit. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 92 I 

DANIEL SKIDMORE 

was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, December 27, 1798, and came 
to this state and county in i860. Here he improved his farm, on sec- 
tion 16, consisting of 396 acres. He was a hard working man, reared an 
intelligent family, and still lives to enjoy the society of his children and 
grandchildren. He married Miss Elizabeth Carman, in Casey County, 
Kentucky, May 10, 1837. They had two children, Joseph and Sarah 
Jane. Mrs. S. died in 1846. Mr. Skidmore married for his second wife 
Milley M. Caldwell, September 14, 1847. They have one son, Hugh C. 

JOSEPH SKIDMORE, 

farmer, section 20, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, December 
31, 1 841 . His father, Daniel Skidmore, who was an agriculturist, was 
also a native of that county, and his mother, whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Carman, was born in Casey County, Kentucky. Joseph passed 
his youth in working at home and attending school, receiving his edu- 
cation at the Highland Academy. In i860 he removed to Missouri, and 
in 1861 located in Nodaway County. At that time he was without 
means, but has been industrious and persevering, and is known among 
his fellow-citizens as having been the architect of his own fortune. He 
is the owner of 120 acres of land. Mr. Skidmore has recently purchased 
the old farm of Judge Shelton, to which he expects to remove in the 
spring. This is in Grant Township. That place is one of the best in 
this district, and after having needed improvements given it, will make 
a still more attractive farm. During the war Mr. S. was in the Forty- 
third Missouri Volunteers for one year, being an active Union man. He 
is quite prominent in political affairs, and during the years of 1879 an< ^ 
1880 served the people as county collector, making a valuable officiaL 
He is a Democrat and belongs to the Grange. January 17, 1867, he was 
married to Miss Mary A. Thompson, a daughter of Joseph P. Thompson, 
of this township. They have six children : Charles D., Daniel H., John, 
Laurens, James and Joseph. 

HUGH TODD, 

farmer, section 8, was born on the 9th of July, 1822, in Ireland, his 
father, James, and his mother, Isabella (McMeekin) Todd, having been 
natives of that country. Hugh passed his youth in Dearborn County, 
Indiana, being engaged in larming and also in attending school. In 
[856 he came to Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, and though 
possessed of limited means, he purchased a farm, which he improved, 
living upon it until twelve years ago. At that time he disposed of it 
and bought his present place, consisting of 240 acres of improved land. 



922 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

This he now rents, and is living in Guilford, enjoying the fruits of his 
earlier labor and hard toil. During the war he was in the Home 
Guards. He is Democratic in his political views. Mr. Todd was mar- 
ried in 1844 to Miss Margaret Beggs, daughter of John Beggs, Esq., 
formerly of Ireland. Their family consists of five children : James 
(who married Miss Anna Curfman), Jane (wife of Hugh C. Skidmore), 
Lewis, Mary (now Mrs. C. Floyd), and Sarah. Mr. Hugh Todd's son 
James, is one of the editors of the Nodaway Democrat. Few men who 
have lived in a community as long as the subject of this sketch, have as 
many true friends, or are more highly honored. 

WILLIAM WARNICK, 

farmer, section 26, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 27, 1833, 
and in the fall of 1858 he came to Missouri, locating where he now resides. 
His land, then new and uncultivated, has had many improvements made 
upon it and is now under good cultivation. It contains 120 acres. Mr. 
W. has worked hard to make his home, and now enjoys the fruits of his 
labors. He is one of the reliable and substantial men of the township 
and enjoys the confidence of all. He married Nancy Marlow in Ohio, in 
1857. They had four children: Ann Eliza (who married Andrew White- 
ford), John Peter, Alvin and Addison. Mrs. W. died March 15, 1876. 
Mr. Warnick married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Jane Bashoe, widow 
of Benjamin Bashoe, August 17, 1876. They have by this marriage two 
children, Dallas I. and Charles. Mrs. B. has four children by her first 
husband: William L., Willard L., Cordelia A. and Louisa E. Mr. W. 
is a Republican and belongs to the Christian Church. 

CHRISTOPHER WEATHERMON, 

farmer, section 21, is the owner of 420 acres of land. He was born Jan > 
5, 1805, in Surry County, North Carolina, and, in 1844, removed to 
this state, settling in Andrew County. In 1847, he came to this county. 
He married Miss Martha Vestel, March 10, 1825. She was born June 25, 
1805, in Surry County, North Carolina. They have eight children: 
Lewis William, James W., John V., Thomas M. S., Miles F., Solomon, 
Nathan D. T. and Mrs. Harriet Clemens, who is a widow. Jerusha died 
in 1854; Isaac died October 3, 1869; Jesse was in Company G, Fourth 
Missouri Regiment, was wounded, and died of his wounds in 1864. Mr. 
Weathermon has been one of the solid and reliable men of the county. 
He came here at a very early day, and cleared a. large farm and raised 
a family of children, who are now among the leading farmers of this 
community. They belong to the M. E. Church. Mr. Weathermon states 
that Mr. Hiram Hall, an early settler of the county, was buried in the 
cemetery near his (Mr. W.'s) house, in Guilford. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 923 

JAMES W. WEATHERMON, 

farmer, section 2, was born in Surry County, North Carolina, on the 23d 
of May, 1832, and is a son of Christopher Weathermon, a farmer, who 
was born in North Carolina, and Martha (Vestel) Weathermon, also a 
native of that state. James passed a greater portion of his youth in 
working on a farm, though he attended school to some extent. In 1847 
he came here with his father, and was raised in Nodaway County. He 
was enabled, after some time, to purchase his farm, which now embraces 
242 acres, and has been continually improving it until very few places 
in the community will equal it for richness and beauty. His orchard of 
1,200 trees is one of the most desirable in the county, and to this indus- 
try he devotes much attention. He keeps a large herd of young cattle 
and a fine flock of sheep, and everything about the farm denotes the 
successful farmer. He has served the people as justice of the peace. In 
his political views he is independent, and his religious preferences are 
with the Universalists. Mr. Weathermon was married December 11, 
1856, to Lucinda Brittain, a daughter of Wiley J. Brittain, of this 
county. Their family consists of John Q., Eliza Jane, Abraham Lin- 
coln, Wiley F., William C, Mary Ann and James Asbury. This large 
family of industrious children are growing up to do honor to their 
respected ancestors. Mrs. Weathermon is a daughter of an early pioneer 
and well understands the part she must occupy, and is one of the best 
of housewives. 

THOMAS M. S. WEATHERMON, 

farmer and fruit grower, is the owner of 290 acres of land on section 7. 
He was born in North Carolina, June 29, 1838, and removed to this state 
in 1843, locating in Andrew County. In 1846, he came to this county, 
with his father, Christopher Weathermon. He has been twice married. 
First, to Miss Sarah Ann Reece, in December, 1864, They had five 
children : Laura A., born August 20, 1865 ; James W., born September 
22, 1867; Ulysses S. Grant, born September 18, 1869; Nathan F., born 
May 30, 1871, and Minnie M., born July 12, 1874. Mrs. W. died April 
30, 1875. He married for his second wife, Miss Caroline A. Bell, of 
Andrew County, January 12, 1876. By this happy union they had three 
children : Albert O., born October 27, 1876 ; Eva E., born December 22, 
1877, and George C, born January n, 1880. Mr. W. is one of' the lead- 
ing farmers and fruit growers in the county, and deserves great credit 
for his labors and extensive improvements in that direction. His beau- 
tiful orchard of 1,200 trees is one of the choicest in the county. He is 
a reliable and honest man. He has a large stock of young cattle, and 
sheep, hogs, etc. 



924 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

MATHEW WHITEFORD, 

section 21, is one of the largest farmers and stock raisers of Nodaway 
County, and a man well known in business circles. He is a native of 
County Antrim, Ireland, where he was born on the nth of November, 
1832, being the son of John and Rachel (Wilson) Whiteford, who were 
both from Ireland. The former was an agriculturist. Mathew attended 
school at his birthplace until he was twelve years of age. Upon coming 
to America he settled in Indiana, where he completed his education. He 
commenced business for himself when a poor boy, struggling along and 
overcoming many obstacles as best he could. Having a natural inclina- 
tion for stock raising he left Indiana, and in 1864 came to Missouri and 
located in Nodaway County, in order that he might have a larger scope 
of country for his business. Buying some land, he kept on working, and 
added from time to time to his original purchase, until he is now the 
owner of 1,280 acres of land, his farm and their surroundings not being 
excelled by any of equal size in this country. He keeps a very large 
herd of cattle — 300 in number, 125 of which he is feeding for market — a 
well selected flock of sheep, and something less than 1,000 hogs, and of 
these he is feeding 500 head. He has a bank barn, three stories in 
height, the main floor being in the third story, and nearly 100 feet in 
length. The sheep sheds are models of convenience, and his residence 
commodious and one of the best in the district. Everything that Mr. 
Whiteford does is executed on a large scale. His success in life he owes 
only to his own hard work, good judgment and excellent business calcu- 
lations. Sociable, agreeable in his manners to all, he is respected by his 
many acquaintances, and is known not only throughout this county, but 
in Chicago, Kansas City and St. Joseph. January 1, 1861, Mr. Whiteford 
married Mary Beggs, a daughter of John Beggs, of this county. Their 
family consists of Isadore, Florence, Emma, Eunice and Rachel. They 
are raising one boy, Frank Stout. The young ladies have all been brought 
up to understand what hard work is, but in the meantime have had every 
opportunity for acquiring an education. Mr. W. is Democratic in poli- 
tics. He is a Presbyterian. 









A< '.-. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 



>.-i-5-- 



ELI D. ADAMS, 

blacksmith, was born on the 19th day of August, 1838, in Putnam County, 
Indiana, and is a son of Isaac S. and Gilla (Hill) Adams. The former, 
who was a farmer, was a native of Kentucky, and the latter of England. 
Eli spent his younger days in attending school and in learning his trade. 
In the fall ot 1859 he came to Missouri, and the same year located in 
this county. During the late war he enlisted in the Thirteenth Missouri 
Volunteers, was wounded at Lexington and captured by General Price, 
but afterwards paroled. In the winter following the regiment was re-or- 
ganized, taking the name of the Twenty-fifth Missouri. They were then 
ordered to Tennessee, and were at the battles of Pittsburg Landing and 
Corinth. Through sickness and other misfortunes the regiment was 
badly cut up, only a few of the original members remaining. These 
returned to St. Joseph, filled the command with new recruits and moved 
to Cumberland, Kentucky, and New Madrid. Their next move was to 
Nashville and Waverly, from whence, on account of the number of 
mechanics in the company, they were ordered to build bridges, erecting 
some of the finest suspension bridges in the South. Upon returning to 
Nashville again they were consolidated with the First Missouri Engineers 
and went to Atlanta, Georgia, continuing to do efficient service until 
September, when, having served his term of three years and four months, 
Mr. Adams was mustered out. From his wounds received at Lexington 
he was compelled to remain in hospital for eighteen months, part of the 
time doing duty as nurse. He was one of the first to engage in business 
at Barnard, and has continued to do a large and successful business since 
that time. He has held the position of trustee of the town for four years. 
He is the owner of eighty-two acres of land on Section 18, of White 
Cloud Township. Mr. Adams was married in April, 1865, to Rachel 
Baker, daughter of Lawson Baker, of this county. They have six chil- 
dren : Lottie, Charles C, Gilla A., Percilla G., Lucinda E. and Martin 
E. Mr. A. has taken a great interest in educational matters, and is 
an honored citizen of the town. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. In his 
religious preferences he is a Methodist, and a Democrat in his political 
faith. 



926 . BIOGRAPHICAL. 

H. C. ANNAN, 

merchant, was born in Maryland in February, 1843, there receiving an 
excellent business education. For some time he was engaged in clerk- 
ing in, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and other large cities in the east, thereby 
acquiring a thorough knowledge of business. In 1869 he came west and 
located temporarily at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he soon formed the 
acquaintance of H. L. Williams, Sr., ot that city. The latter, who was 
about to start a store in Hiawatha, Kansas, tendered Mr. A. a partner- 
ship, giving him full charge of the business. He accepted the offer and 
accordingly located in Hiawatha, where he was successfully occupied in 
the mercantile trade for two years. The firm then removed to Barnard 
in the spring of 1872, and continued to do a large business there until 
1876, when Mr. Annan sold his interest to John S. Miller & Co., H. L. 
Williams being the company of the new firm. The subject of this 
sketch next took a trip east, visiting his old home in Maryland and vari- 
ous cities, finally returning to Barnard, where he opened a store of new 
goods with R. L. Annan, the style of this firm becoming H. 
C. & R. L. Annan. They have erected a large and commodious 
building, which has been filled with a complete and choice stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. The large patronage which they enjoy is a sufficient 
guarantee of their popularity and success. Mr. Annan married Miss 
Elizabeth McCandliss, of this city, in May, 1876. They have three 
children, Annie L., Harry C, and Mary Mable. 

ROBERT L. ANNAN, 



of the firm of H. C. and R. L. Annan, merchants, was born in Jefferson 
County, Virginia, June 15, 1845. He received a good business educa- 
tion, and remained at home with his father, who was in the milling 
business, until he had reached his majority. From 1864 to 1872 he was 
engaged in the occupation of tanning in West Virginia, at the expira- 
tion of which time he sold out and removed west, settling in Nebraska, 
where he continued to reside for four years. In 1876 he came to Bar- 
nard and formed a partnership which now constitutes the firm of H. C. 
and R. L. Annan. They continued to do a prosperous business until 
1 88 1, when, on account of their increasing patronage, the Messrs. 
Annan were obliged to erect a commodious structure, now occupied by 
them. Few firms through the county are more respected than this one, 
and none are more honorable in their dealings. Mr. R. L. Annan was 
married to Miss Emma McCandliss, January 1, 1878. They have two 
children, Bessie and Robert Garfield. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 927 

HOBART AISQUITH, 

grocer, was born in Maryland in 1845, and was educated with great care, 
first attending St. James' College, in Hagerstown, and later, St. John's 
College, of Annapolis, Maryland. He was brought up on a farm, and 
there learned the habits of industry and economy, which have followed 
him through life. At the age of seventeen years he entered the Con- 
federate army, serving for three years, discharging his duty faithfully as 
a soldier. After retiring from the army he farmed for two years, and 
then went to Virginia, where he was engaged in business until 1873. 
In 1874, he came to Barnard, and, after clerking for Messrs. Annan & 
Co. and J. S. Miller & Co. until 1878, he commenced the grocery busi- 
ness, in which few men have made a greater success. Mr. A. has a 
large and well selected stock, and by his straight forward course has won 
the confidence of the community. Mr. Aisquith was married to Miss 
Mary A. Caples, of Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, May 17, 1876. 
They have two children, Grace and Edna. 

MARTIN VAN BUREN BAKER, 

farmer and stock raiser, was born in Daviess County, Missouri, Novem- 
ber 7, 1836, and in the spring of 1837, with his father he moved to Platte 
County. At the time he was nine years old, he came to Andrew County, 
and remained eight years, when he located in this township, in 1854, 
buying the farm he now occupies in 1865. This consists of 225 acres, 
situated in section 11. Mr. B. married Miss Mary M. Jobe, September 
10, 1865. They have taken three children to bring up and educate: 
Hattie Gary, Sarah Thompson and John W. Thompson. Three young 
ladies have made their homes with Mr. and Mrs. B., and all are now 
married : Addie Pickerell, wife of William McGuire ; Malissa Hollen- 
beck, who married Fletcher Badger, and Jennie Hollenbeck, wife of 
Edwin Gavin. Mr. B. commenced life with small means, working on 
his father's farm on shares until he was married. He has been one of the 
hard working men of this section, has improved his farm from year to 
year, building one of the best farm residences in the county, and has a 
very desirable home. In 1861, he entered the state militia, and remained 
one of its members until he enlisted in the Forty-third Missouri Infantry 
Volunteers. He was promoted to lieutenant, served in the state for one 
year, and was selected as one of ninety men to protect the county. Mr. 
B. belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is also one of the leading and active 
members of the M. E. Church. M. L. Baker, the father of Martin V. 
Baker, was one of the pioneers of the Platte Purchase, and was born in 
North Carolina June 15, 1805. He came to Missouri in 1820. stopping 
in Saline County a few months with his mother, and then went to Clay 



928 BIOGRAPHICAL. ■ 

• 

County, where he married Miss Percilla Rama, in 1826. They had six 
children : Nathan, Christopher, Martin V., Mary Jane, John W. and 
Rachel. Mr. and Mrs. B. moved into Clinton County, settling near 
Haynesville, in 1828, and lived there four years. In 1837, they came to 
Platte County, and then to Andrew County, locating in this county in 
1854. Mr. B. died in 1870. Mrs. B. was born in Kentucky, in 1807, and 
has passed through many trials and deprivations, incident to the settle- 
ment of a new country. Now at the age of seventy-four she is hale and 
hearty, and her mind as clear as ever. She lives with her son, Martin, 
and enjoys such comforts of life as are given to her through a son's care 
and a dutiful daughter's love. 

DANIEL BARINGER. 

farmer, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 9, 1809, and in 18 16 
went to Holland, and from there embarked for Philadelphia, U. S. A. 
He was on the ocean for ninety-one days ; was shipwrecked twice, los- 
ing everything, and out of four hundred and forty-four persons who 
took passage on the same vessel only two hundred arrived at 
New Orleans. Mr. B. then came to Louisville, Kentucky in 18 18. In 
1829, he moved to Jackson County, Indiana, where he bought 240 acres 
of land for $400 and commenced work building a double log house and 
improving a farm. There he lived for thirty years. He married Miss 
Rebecca Lovier, a native of Maryland, in 1829. They had twelve chil- 
dren, ten of whom are living: Daniel, John J., Nimrod, William, 
Alpheus, Catherine, Caroline, Elizabeth, Martha Jane and Josephene. 
James died while in the army, and Laura was killed by the falling of a 
tree in Indiana. In 1869, Mr. B. came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and bought a large farm, a greater part of which has been improved. 
He has a fine residence and orchard, and the farm is divided with hedge 
fences into twenty and forty acre lots. His landed interest embraces 
240 acres in section 36. Nimrod Baringer, his son, married Miss 
Rebecca Coons, of Iowa, in July, 1881. He was one of the company 
who went to the Black Hills and was burned out by the government. 
Upon returning to Iowa he was employed on a railroad until he came 
home to work the farm. Mr. Baringer held many offices of trust and 
responsibility while in Indiana. He is a Mason and a member of the M. 
E. Church. 

DR. ALFRED WESLEY BEAR 

was born in Cooper Count)', Missouri, March 13, [841, and received a good 
primary education in the common school, which he supplemented by a 
course at the Rural Retreat Academy. At the age of seventeen years he 
commenced to teach school, continuing that profession for thirteen years'. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. <)2(J 

In the meantime he continued his studies in higher mathematics, 
the sciences, and also the languages. The last four or five years of his 
teaching he devoted much of his time to the study of medicine. At the 
close of his career as an instructor he had become an excellent scholar, 
and was well versed in medicine. He attended a course of lectures at 
the Washington University, of Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1871 came- 
to Barnard, in 1872 engaging in the drug business with Dr. Heath. Mr. 
M. M. Silvers afterwards bought Dr. Heath's interest, and after a time 
Mr. Silvers disposed of his to Samuel Philips. In 1881, on account of 
failing health, Dr. Bear sold his share to his partner, Mr. Philips, and 
discontinued business. The Doctor owns a good farm in section 20, in 
this township and some valuable business property, besides residences 
in Barnard. Since retiring from business he has visited the different min- 
eral springs and tested the virtue of their waters, finding some relief, 
but in none, he claims, as much as in the mineral water of Barnard. He 
has used it constantly for four months, and finds himself very much 
improved, considering the water equal, if not superior, to the celebrated 
Eureka Springs, of Arkansas. The Doctor has been an active business 
man and successful in all his undertakings. He is a Mason, a Democrat 
in politics, and in his religious preferences is a Baptist. He married 
Miss Mary Hester Bradley, of this county, February 9, 1879. 

JOSHUA H. BENSON, 

farmer and stock raiser, was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in 
1832, spending his early life at home. In 1853, he went to Vinton 
County, Ohio, remaining for six years, and, in 1859, ne took a trip to 
California, where he spent two years of successful labor. In 1863, he 
came to Missouri, and settled in this township. The farm where he now 
lives was bought by him in 1869, and consists of 164 acres, situated in 
section 27. Mr. B. built the Western Hotel, in Barnard, in 1874, and 
continued to keep it for two years. He also had a lumber yard in Bar- 
nard for two years. He bought the steam mill at Prairie Park, the name 
of a town which was to take the place of Barnard and Bolckow, and 
located between the two towns. He also purchased several buildings 
in connection with the mill, and started a store and established a post 
office in 1865, which was the first in Grant Township, and Mr. Benson 
was the first postmaster. When the railroad was completed, R. G. Hub- 
bard claimed too large damages for the right of way. through his farm, 
on which Prairie Park was located. Hence the towns of Barnard and 
Bolckow were built and the post office moved to Barnard. (See town- 
ship history.) In 1873-4, Mr. Benson was township collector, and has 
been for many years one of the leading, active men in all enterprises 
which would tend to the improving of the town and county. He mar- 



930 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ried Miss Catharine Briggs in Ohio, July 25, 1855. She was born in 
that state. They have seven children: Mary A. (married Mr. L. Williams, 
of Bolckow), Hiram A., Eliza R., Simeon L., William G., James F. On 
Novembers, 1881, Miss Eliza R. was married to Mr. John H. Jones, of 
Watson, Iowa, and, on the same evening, Hiram A. was married to Miss 
Florence Cloud, of Barnard. Mr. Benson is an active member of the 
Masonic fraterniny. 

D. B. CLAWSON, 

» 
harness maker, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, May 27, 1850, and 

in the fall of 1866 he removed to Missouri, and in 1870 came to this 
county and commenced working on a farm. Not being in the enjoyment 
of good health, he concluded that some trade would be better adapted 
to his constitution, and accordingly in 1879 ne entered the harness shop 
of George Waugh, learned the business, soon becoming an adept work- 
man. After completing his trade he bought the interest of Mr. Waugh, 
and has since been doing a very satisfactory business, goods of his man- 
ufacture meeting with a ready sale. Mr. C. married Miss Barbara J. 
Bear, daughter of S. K. Bear, in the spring of 1872. They have four 
children : Pleasant Lee, Nancy Agnes, Mattie Bell and an infant. Mr. 
Clawson is an Odd Fellow and a member of the A. O. U. W. They are 
liberal supporters of the Baptist Church, Mrs. C. being a' member of that 
denomination. 

J. P. COLLINS,. 

of the firm of Jamison & Collins, proprietors of meat market, was born 
in Kentucky in February, 1840, and in 1857 came to Missouri. After 
living in Saline, Andrew and Buchanan Counties for twelve years, he 
came to this county in 1872. Here he bought a farm, on which he 
remained until 1880, when he disposed of it and moved to Barnard. In 
1 88 1 he opened a meat market with his partner, and they are doing the 
leading business in the town in a very satisfactory way. Mr. C. is a 
reliable citizen, and has many friends. He married Miss Lvdia M. 
Kelly, of Andrew County, September 4, 1871. They have four children : 
Pleasant P., Mary C, William Harvey and Madora A. Mr. C. was a 
justice of the peace in White Cloud Township for two years, and per- 
formed the official duties of that position in an efficient manner. 

FRANCIS CONLIN, 

farmer and stock raiser, was born in Ireland, November 1, 18 14, and 
emigrated to this country in 1835, settling in Dorset, Vermont, where 
he learned the stone cutters' trade, serving an apprenticeship of two 
years and a half. He subsequently moved to New York City, where he 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 93 » 

followed his trade for six years, and then went to Pennsylvania, and 
from there to Richmond, Virginia. He next visited Kentucky and Indi- 
ana, and then to New Orleans, going from there to Texas, and finally to 
Shawneetown, Illinois, when he went to work on the Peru Canal. He 
was subsequently employed to go to Leavenworth, Kansas, to work on 
the fort, and afterwards to Fort Scott. Upon moving to Platte City, 
Missouri, he entered eighty acres of land, which he sold, and then 
came to this county and township where, in October, 1844, he. entered 
the land where he now lives, consisting of 240 acres in sections 
23 and 24. Mr. C. broke twenty acres the first year, built a cabin, and 
commenced pioneer life in earnest. He was obliged to go with an ox 
team twenty miles to mill, and to kill game for his meat. Mr. Conlin 
was among the first settlers in the township, and few men have seen 
harder times, or suffered more deprivations and trials in a newly settled 
country. He now belongs to the Masonic lodge, and politically he is a 
Democrat. Mr. Conlin married Miss Jane Malott, of Platte County, 
Missouri, September 9, 1845. They have eight children living: Wil- 
liam T., Frances M., Sarah A., John Floyd, Samuel Houstin, Margaret 
Ann, Eliza Jane, and Mary M. Mrs. Conlin died June 16, 188 1. She 
was a loving wife and mother, and her death was mourned by all. Mr, 
C. has given farms to his children and started them well in life. In 
1876 he built a fine house and now has a beautiful home. John Floyd, 
his son, lives at home, and takes charge of the farm. He is well edu- 
cated and a good business man, and is engaged in dealing in and raising 
stock, keeping quite a number of hogs and cattle on the place. 

PRESTON CURNUTT, 

was born in Tennessee, October 13, 18 18, and came to Platte County, 
June 9, 1841. He was engaged in working on rented land until he came 
to this county, in March, 1844, where he made a claim, and upon the 
organization of the county, he was elected the first county clerk. In 
1848, he died. Mrs. Curnutt entered the land when it came into market 
Mr. C. married Miss Elizabeth Campbell, in Campbell County, Tennes- 
see, in October, 1839. He left four children : William, Pheeriba J., died 
February 15, 1861 ; John C, and Thomas J., died September 17, 1863. 
Mrs. C. has passed through many hardships in raising her family, and 
an account of her expsriences alone would fill a volume. William Cur- 
nutt, her oldest son, is now in Montana. 

JOHN C. CURNUTT, 

proprietor of livery, was born December 29, 1843, in Platte County, Mis- 
souri. He has lived with his mother principally during life, caring for 



93 2 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

her in her declining years. He married Miss Louisa M. Patten, January 
8, 1865. They had three children : William R., Martha D. and Samuel 
Preston. Mrs. Curnutt died May 4, 1872. Mr. C. moved into Barnard 
in October, 1880, and bought an interest in the liver)' business, which lie 
is now conducting in a creditable manner. 

HENRY DORST, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 2, was born in Meigs Count}-, Ohio, 
October 22, 1841, and came to this state December 3, 1865, remaining in 
St. Joseph one winter. He afterwards made his home in Andrew County 
for two years, and in 1867 bought a farm in this township when there 
Avere but few houses in this district. He worked on the railroad which 
was built the year after, and has seen Barnard built up, and the most of 
Maryville. He improved his first farm, but subsequently sold it and 
bought adjoining land till he now has a fine residence and a farm con- 
sisting of ninety-six acres. He married Miss Rhoda Kellogg, of Andrew 
Count) r , Missouri, October 12, 1867. They had four children : Sarah 
Ellen, Lizzie Ann, Addie Eliza and John Henry. Mrs. D. died July 
16, 1877. June 27, 1878, Mr. Dorst married Mrs. Rhoda Rose, of this 
county. They have two children, Mary A. and Dora May. Mrs. D. 
had one child by her former marriage, Florence Cordelia. Mr. D. is a 
member of the Odd Fallows' fraternity, at Barnard. He is one of the 
reliable men in the township, a good neighbor and a friend to the need}'. 
During the war he joined the Seventh Ohio Batter}- and served four 
years, participating in the battles of Yicksburg, Corinth, and main- 
others. He was under the command of Generals Grant, Sherman and 
McPherson. Entering as a private, for proficiency and valor, he was 
promoted to lieutenent. After being mustered out he re-enlisted. Not 
many soldiers have as proud a record. 

JAMES M. GAVIN, 

merchant. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, 
Juh r 18, 1825, and for that time, received a good common school educa- 
tion. He learned the carriage making trade while young, at which he 
worked for six years. His taste being better adapted to other branches 
of industry, in 1850 he commenced the mercantile business, which he 
continued for eight years, a part of the time doing a large jobbing trade. 
In 1858 he sold out and moved to Taylor Count)-, Iowa, where he bought 
a farm and was engaged in dealing in stock and speculating generally. 
At the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he raised the first company 
of men for the protection of the border towns in Taylor Count), and 
assisted greath' in defending them against bushwhackers and lawless 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 933 

citizens. The regiment of which Mr. G. was a member, being; independ- 
ent, when its work was accomplished offered its services to the general 
government, but as the state quota was full they disbanded. In August, 
he, with a part of his own company, came to Missouri and joined the 
Fourth Missouri Cavalry, and were ordered to Southwest Missouri, when 
they were engaged in defending the Union citizens against the outlaws 
of that section. He continued this service for eighteen months, when 
he was appointed district provost marshal, with headquarters at Jeffer- 
son City, and continued to hold this position until the close of the war. 
Of his many hair breadth escapes, the competent and satisfactory man- 
ner with which he discharged his varied and difficult duties, and the 
encomiums heaped upon him by both citizens and military authorities, 
space will not permit us here to give. Suffice it to say however, that he 
always discharged his duty honestly and fearlessly, and retired from the 
army with an approving conscience. Upon returning to Iowa he dis- 
posed of his property , and in the spring of 1866 came to Missouri and 
settled in Rosendale, Andrew County, there buying a flouring mill and 
woolen factory, in which business he was very successful. In 1S71 he 
he sold out and came to Barnard and bought interests in large mills 
here. In 1873 he commenced to do a general merchandising business, 
erected a large store, and with his son as a partner, has since been conduct- 
ing an extensive trade. In connection with a second son he has established 
a store in Bolckow, Andrew Count}-. Mr. Gavin married Miss Eliza 
Paxton, of Preble County, Ohio, March 31, 1846. By this happy union 
they have five children: Malanthan \Y., James E., Charles A., who is a 
student and a fine scholar, Laura A. and Elizabeth A., both young ladies 
at home. Mr. G. is a successful business man, and has never failed in 
any enterprise which he has undertaken. He commenced life poor and 
has been the architect of his own fortune. Toward the close of the war 
for his meritorious conduct, he was promoted to quartermaster general on 
General Cooley's staff, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. 

SMITH GEORGE, 

of the firm of Earls & George, general hardware merchants and dealers 
in saddles, harness, wagons, agricultural implements, and proprietors of 
the only furniture establishment in Barnard, was born in Ohio in 1843, 
and from there moved to Savannah, Andrew Count}", Missouri, soon 
locating in Nodaway Count}-. He then went to Fillmore, Andrew 
County, where he carried on the saddle and harness business, which 
trade he had learned before coming west. After a few years he added 
to his business a stock of hardware, and continued to do a large and 
profitable trade. In the spring of 1876 he located in Barnard, where his 
success has kept on increasing, adding to his large hardware stock har- 



934 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ness, saddles, wagons, (the Mitchell and Harrison make), all kinds of- 
agricultural implements and a complete assortment of furniture. This is 
one of the most complete establishments in the county, and would do 
credit to any city. All this is the result of his being industrious and 
accommodating, making his guarantees good and his general dealing 
perfectly reliable. W. S. Earls, of Savannah, is the partner of Mr. George, 
and is well known as a man of wealth and of an excellent business repu- 
tation. Mr. G. has a branch store in Mound City, Holt County, where 
he is also doing a thriving trade. Mr. George married Miss Emma F. 
Gleaves, daughter of Dr. Gleaves, of Guilford, formerly of Ohio, in 1868. 
They have one child, Fanny May, who was eleven years old on Novem- 
ber 2, 1 88 1. August 16, 1862, Mr. G. enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after thirteen months of 
hard service, was* honorably discharged on account of disability. He is 
one of the enterprising reliable business men of this town and has the 
confidence of all. 

JAMES W. HEATH, 

physician and surgeon, was born on the 25th day of July, 1825, and is a 
native of Erie County, Pennsylvania. His father, John Heath, who was 
a merchant, was born in New Hampshire, and his mother, Hannah - 
(Wasson) Heath, was a native of the same state. James spent his youth 
at home and in clerking in a store. He received excellent educational 
advantages at the Waterford Academy, of Pennsylvania, applying him- 
self diligently for some time. Having made choice of the practice of 
medicine as his profession, he commenced its study with Dr. Ira Barton, 
of Waterford, Pennsylvania, as his preceptor. He attended the Western 
Reserve College in 1849-5°) and soon after began practicing medicine. 
In 1 86 1, Dr. Heath took a trip to Colorado, Nevada and California, 
spending nearly ten years in that country, and visiting many different 
cities. He encountered numerous difficulties while traveling among the 
Indians, was once robbed of his money and a valuable watch by road 
agents, but escaped with his life. A narration of his tour is both inter- 
esting and instructive. He extended his journey through Texas and the 
south, and finally, in 1870, Dr. Heath came to Missouri, and in March, 
1871, located in Barnard, where he has since continued to care for the 
sick and administer to their wants. After coming to Missouri, he 
attended and afterwards graduated from the Hospital College of St. 
Joseph. A physician of over thirty years' standing, a resident of the 
county for over ten years, and his thorough knowledge of his profession, 
have combined to render him among the leading practitioners in Noda- 
way County. In connection with Mr. Noah McClaskey, he owns an 
excellent drug store, in which they are doing one of the best trades in 
this part of the county. Dr. Heath has been twice married. By his first 



c -GRANT TOWNSHIP. 935 

wife, who died in 1858, he had a daughter, Gertrude, now the wife of 
John W. Cartas, of this place. His second marriage occurred November 
8, 1874, to Mary Phillips, daughter of Joshua Phillips, who died in 1872. 
By this latter union there is one child, Earl S., born April 6, 1878. Dr. 
Heath is a member of the District Medical Society of Northwest Mis- 
souri. He also belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is a Democrat, and 
in his religious preferences he is a Presbyterian. 

JOHN W. HOUGHTALING, 

farmer and dairyman, section 31, was born in Albany County, New 
York, September 27, 1837, and enjoyed fair opportunities for obtaining 
an education, until he was ten years old, when his father moved to 
Boone County, Illinois. There he continued to live until he was twenty- 
one years of age, when he came to Missouri, and bought the farm where 
he now lives, consisting of 137 acres. He married Kate Berger, in 
Boone County, Illinois, in 1863. They have three children : Carrie 
Bell, Jane May and Frank Edgar. Mr. H. came to the county with but 
limited means, but becoming possessed of a farm which has proven so 
productive, and with a love and zeal for his work, together with excel- 
lent business calculations, he has made one of the best farms, and has 
among the best improvements in the township, and the close of every 
year finds new and needed improvements of some kind. Mr. H. and 
Mr. E. Robinson were the first farmers in the township to start the dairy 
and butter making business, and their success is shown in the patronage 
which they enjoy. Farmers who are disheartened and discouraged 
would do well to take a few lessons of them. Mr. Houghtaling enlisted 
in 1863, in the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was ordered 
to Vicksburg, and through the south generally. He was with A. J. 
Smith through the Red River expedition, and suffered most everything 
but death for seventy-five days. He also was through the siege of 
Mobile, for thirteen days. He was prompt in the discharge of his duty, 
a general favorite with the officers and men, and never complained, but 
made the best of his lot. He was sunstruck twice, and once had his leg 
broken. He was in the terrible Guntown expedition, in which 10,000 
men entered under the order of General Sturgess against Forrest. 
Through the treachery of the general they came out with the loss of 
6,000 men, having suffered untold agonies. Mr. H. was mustered out in 
February, 1866, and received an honorable discharge. He then returned 
to Illinois. He is a Methodist, and also a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. 

JAMES A. JAMISON, 

of the firm of Jamison & Collins, proprietors of the "Boss Market," was 
born in Boone County, Missouri-, August 26. 1837, and came to this 



936 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

county in 1868. He learned the tanner's trade while young, at which 
occupation he worked for fifteen years. He subsequently bought a farm 
in White Cloud Township, but after a few years disposed of it and 
rented land until he came to Barnard in 1879. I* 1 October, 188.1, he 
opened the "Boss Market," with J. P. Collins, and has a market which is 
a credit to the town. Mr. J. married Caroline M. Clatterbuck, of Callaway 
County, Missouri, December 23, 1856. The}' have a sister's child which 
they have brought up from infancy, Elizabeth Leopard, born in 1863. 
Mr. J., after years of labor in different vocations, has found his right 
place. He has a natural talent for the business, and is making it a suc- 
cess. Genial, kind and attentive, he suits himself to the wants of all. 

I. S. JOBE, 

farmer, section 36, was born in White Count}', West Tennessee, Sep- 
tember 10, 1813, and in 181 5, with his father, he came to Saline Count}-, 
Missouri, where his parents died two years after, leaving a large family 
of children in the wilderness, six miles from any settlement. The many 
struggles of these # children for even a subsistence can never be told, yet 
the\- lived and have become valuable citizens and honored members of 
society. The family consisted of fifteen children : William, Mornan, 
Ed\-, Mar}-, Nancy, Elisha, Samuel, Ireby S., Sail}-, Pamelia, and Malissa. 
Four died in infancy. After the death of their parents, the younger 
children found places in families until able to take care of themselves. 
Ireby walked to McDonough Count}-, Illinois, where he had an olcler 
brother living, and remained with him until April, 1832, when he enlisted 
in the Blackhawk war under Captain J. W. Stevenson. He remained 
through the war, was wounded twice in his hip, and carries the balls to 
this day in his bod}-. He also received a bad wound in his arm. He 
obtains a pension of six dollars per month from the government. After 
returning from the war, he went to New Orleans, where he remained 
through the winter with his uncle, Mathew Jobe, and in the spring of 
1833 he went to Galena, Illinois, and engaged in mining, there continu- 
ing until 1835, when he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he married 
Miss Mar}- Chilton, February 18, 1835. They have six children living: 
William, Elizabeth, Caroline, Augusta, Thomas, and Melina. The}- lost 
six : Caleb, Lucy, Martha Ann, Ireby, Nelson and Duke. Caleb was 
killed during the rebellion by a horse while in service. Mr. I. S. Jobe 
went to Stephenson Count}-, Illinois, in 1836, and pre-empted 160 acres 
of land, which he improved and where he remained twenty years. He 
then moved to Andrew Count}- and bought a farm of 300 acres, 
paying therefore $4,550. By some fraudulent transaction he was sold 
out of his home, and lost his farm and everything he possessed. In 
[862 he came to Nodaway Count}- and located eight}- acres of land, 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 937 

making additions from time to time as he prospered, until he had one of 
the best and largest farms in the county, including 640 acres. After his 
family grew up he helped them, giving to each a farm and home, till now 
he owns but 1 10 acres. His children are located within a short distance 
of him, the sons being among the prosperous and influential farmers of 
the count}'. His daughters married farmers who are also settlers near, 
and are men of prominence and wealth. Thus Mr. Jobe, at the age .of 
nearly three score years and ten, finds himself pleasantly situated, sur- 
rounded by a loving family. He is a Universalist, and in his political 
faith is a Jackson Democrat. 

AUGUSTUS W. JOBE, 

farmer and stock feeder, section 12, was born in Stephenson County> 
Illinois, December 28, 1840, and in 1856 he moved with his father to 
Andrew County, locating in this county in the spring of 1861. He com- 
menced life poor, but with a determination to succeed, bought some 
prairie land and commenced work. By his hard toil and economy he 
has succeeded in improving a valuable farm containing 153, acres, erected 
a fine residence in 1866, and has been very successful in all his enter- 
prises. Mr. J. married Miss Elizabeth Phillips, in this township, Decem- 
ber6, 1863. They have four children: James A., Ida Isabelle, Calep 
and Samuel Edgar. Mr. Jobe was a great hunter and fisherman in early 
times, and his narratives are both thrilling and interesting.' Joshua 
Phillips, the father of Mrs. Jobe, was a very early settler of this town- 
ship.' He was born in Massachusetts, removed from there to New York, 
thence to Ohio and Indiana, and in 1850 he came to this county, where 
he died in 1872. Mrs. Phillips, his wife, died in 1873. Of the family of 
Mr. Phillips, Samuel is a druggist, Mary married Dr. Heath, Laura 
married John Reed, of Barnard, and Sarah married Joseph Baker, of 
Kansas. 

VALENTINE KORELL, 

was born in Prussia, March ri, 1830, and there received a good educa- 
tion. Under the long established law, he entered the army as a volun- 
teer in the artillery service, in 1848, remaining for two years. Coming to 
this state in 185 I, he settled in Nodaway County in March, of that year, 
and here started the first blacksmith shop in this part of the county, and 
in the spring of 1859, ne went to Pike's Peak with other adventurers. 
He was elected president of the claim court, and after remaining in that 
locality for a year or so, he returned in October, i860, having been unfor- 
tunate in some of his transactions. On June 13, 1861, Mr. K. enlisted 
in the Thirteenth Missouri Volunteers, and at Lexington, Missouri, he 
was promoted to captain, September 10, 1861. On September 21, he was 



938 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

taken prisoner. He was discharged during the December following, and 
at the same time re-enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteers, as 
first lieutenant of Company B, participating in the battles of Shiloh and 
Corinth. He was discharged for disability, June 28, 1862, and returned 
home. In 1863, he was register of the land office, and in the fall of that 
year was elected justice of the peace, which position he continued to fill 
for sixteen years. In the spring of i88r, he was elected township assessor 
and clerk, and has been president of the village corporation ever since 
it was incorporated, except during one year. Mr. K. has been engaged 
in trade here for several years. At one time he owned a portion of the 
land where Barnard is located, but he disposed of man)' of his lots, and 
has done considerable building. Mr. Korell has been twice married. 
His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Billings, whom he married March 27, 
185 1. They had by this union six children : Lydia Ann, Jacob B., John 
W., Valentine Francis Sigel, Charles T., Clara A. Mrs. K. died Decem- 
ber 29, 1867. He was married the second time to Miss Betty W. 
McBrine, May 30, 1868. They have one child, George Washington. 
Mr. K. is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges, and 
belongs to the Baptist Church. 

JOHN S. LEIGHTY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 19, was born in Fayette County, Penn- 
sylvania, in 1823, and spent his youth on a farm, and has for many years 
been dealing in and handling stock. He went to Morgan County, Ohio, 
where he lived nine years, and then located'in McDonough County, Illi- 
nois, remaining until 1872, when he came to this county and bought his 
farm, which contains 320 acres. He has made many improvements upon 
it until it ranks foremost among the best for stock purposes in the county. 
In 1876 he sold the farm to his brother Henry and his son-in-law, D. 
Welling, both of whom are living in Illinois. Mr. Welling is one of the 
most extensive dealers and feeders of stock in that state, purchasing 
large droves yearly in Kansas and other places, and shipping them to 
his farms, here and in Illinois. Mr. Leighty has the entire charge of the 
one in this county, and is now feeding 300 head of cattle and from 150 to 
300 head of hogs. Mr. Leighty married Miss Lizzie Freeman, a very 
estimable lady, in 1845. She was from Pennsylvania. They have six 
children: Freeman, Whitney, Lycurgus, Bell, Lizzie and Granville. Bell 
was married to Mr. Welling in 1868. They have four children: Fred, 
Annie, Lizzie and David. Mr. L. is a Mason. 

JOHN LOWE, 

farmer and railroad engineer, section 31, was born in Ireland, June 24, 
1829, and came to this country in 1844, settling in Chester County Penn- 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 939 

sylvania, where his father had settled fourteen years previously. There 
he had bought a large farm, and conducted it upon a large scale. In 
1846, the elder Lowe died, John's mother having died some time before 
in Canada. In the settlement of Mr. Lowe's large estate, the adminis- 
trator managed to defraud the family of children out of most of it. ( >n 
this account young Lowe was compelled to seek his fortune alone. He 
learned the blacksmith trade, connected with the carriage ironing and 
plating business, in which he became quite proficient. His brother, 
Patrick, having engaged in railroading, and becoming an engineer, 
induced his brother to act as his fireman. So, leaving the shop and his 
trade, in 1850, the latter entered upon his new duties as fireman on the 
Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and in six months had made such 
progress in becoming acquainted with the mysteries of the mechanical 
world that he was given an engine to run, and since then has spent the 
most of his time in that employment. Few men have a better reputa- 
tion as a safe and competent engineer. Mr. L. married Miss Margaret 
Boylen, of Reading, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1852. She was born 
in Ireland, December 11, 1831. They had eight children: Margaret 
A., Mary J., Joseph F., James P., Ellen E., John A., Thomas K. and 
Francis A. John died September 29, 1868. Mrs. Lowe died June 26, 
1881. In the fall of 1867, Mr. L. came to Nodaway County, and bought 
the farm where he now resides, containing 252 acres. This he did for 
the purpose of preparing his children for lives of usefulness. Joseph, 
his oldest son, grew to manhood, and, with the help of the younger 
brothers, has carried on the farm. Margaret received superior educa- 
tional advantages in Pennsylvania, and, in 1872, she was appointed Lady 
Superior of the St. Vincent Orphan Asylum, in Albany, New York. 
Mary and Ellen have had a thorough education at the St. Joseph Acad- 
emy. Joseph has been a student at the St. Benedict's College, Atchison, 
Kansas. The family are Catholics, and are valuable members of society. 

WILLIAM A. McCANDLISS, 

miller and grain dealer, was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 9, 
1822, and received a common school education, after which he learned 
the carpenter and joiners trade. He located in Hamilton, where he 
became a large contractor, and also in Cincinnati, erecting some of the 
finest structures in those cities. This business he has continued in all 
for thirty years. In 1855 he moved to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he 
constructed a fine steam flouring mill. After operating it for one year 
he sold it and then went to contracting and building, in which business 
he remained engaged until 1861, when he joined the 25th Iowa Volun- 
teer Infantry as wagon master. He was in the Seventeenth Corps, under 
Logan, where he saw difficulties in transportation, etc., but few have 



94-0 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

had the privilege of beholding. Mr. McC. served for two years, and was 
discharged for disability. He returned to Mount Pleasant, and in 1866 
he moved to Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, and took the contract 
of building the count) - house and jail. This he completed sooner than 
expected to the entire satisfaction of the county. In 1872 he moved to 
Barnard, Nodaway Count} - , buying the large flouring mill at that place, 
and there has continued to reside. Mr. McCandliss has been twice 
married: First, to Miss Maria Geary, of Hamilton, Ohio, in 1845. They 
had seven children : Mary, (wife of Edward Maekland ;) Elizabeth, (wife 
of H. C. Annan ;) Emma married Robert L. Annan, of Barnard ; Irvin 
W., in the mill with his father, Charles E., and May, at home. Mrs. 
McC. died October 14, 1877, in Barnard. His second wife was Mrs. 
Marilla Brown, widow of Dr. Brown, of Troy, Kansas, to whom he was 
married January 24, 1879. She has one child by her former marriage, 
Clara Brown. Mr. McCandliss and his family are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. He has an excellent mill, with three run of stone, 
the advantages of good water power, and under his management is rap- 
idly gaining in popularity with the people. 

JOHN R. PHIPPS, 

farmer, section 22, was born in Owen County, Indiana, August 24, 1835, 
and came with his father in 1854, to Putnam County, Missouri. He 
received a good education and remained with his father until 1864, when 
he came to this count)' and bought his present farm one year after, and 
which now contains 136 acres. When the railroad was constructed and 
Barnard located, and also the flouring mill established, Mr. Phipps found 
his farm in the right place adjoining the corporation. He has made 
good improvements upon the same, and has a fine residence. He was 
engaged with his father in merchandising in Putnam County for six 
years, in which undertaking he was fortunate. Mr. Phipps has been a 
successful feeder and dealer in stock, and in this business he is now 
mostly engaged. He was a member of the state troops during the war 
and did good service in Owen County for three years in the Union cause. 
He married Miss Lucinda Montgomery, of Andrew County, in 1858. She 
was born in Indiana, but came to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1857. 
They have nine children living: Leo M., Jennie, Homer D., George, 
Charles, Paris, Rosie, Joseph and Iredell. Mr. Phipps and his family are 
Methodists. Mr. P. is one of the reliable men of the township. 

ISAAC PRICE, 

farmer and blacksmith, is the owner of 200 acres of land, in sections 2~ 
.ml 28. He was born in West Virginia, May 22, 1814, and with his 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 941 

father he moved to Ohio, where he grew up and learned the blacksmith 
trade-, which has been his life work. In the fall of 183 1 he went to 
Pennsylvania, remaining there for several years, and then returned to 
Ohio. From there he went to Owens Count)', Indiana, where he made 
his home until 187 1, when he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and 
settled on the farm where he has since lived. He bought 300 acres of 
land and has settled his children 1 near him. He married Miss Prudence 
Gordon in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1836. They had four chil- 
dren : James, Susana, Serepta and Mathew Laughlin. Mrs. Price died 
in Washington County, Ohio, in 1850. For his second wife he married 
Miss Mary Ann Linn in 1852, in Washington County, Ohio. They have 
four children living : John, Atson, Zoe, and Minnie. Daniel died Jan- 
uary 11, 1874, aged twenty years. Of the children from the first mar- 
riage, Sarepta died when nine years old ; Mathew Laughlin died in this 
place in 1874, aged twenty-five ; James died in October, 1877, m Owen 
Count)', Indiana, leaving a wife and five children : Lavina, Henry, 
George, Sarah E., and Mary Ann. George is living with his grand- 
father. John married Esther Josephine McFarland, November 2, 1876. 
Susanna married John C. Hall, January 1, 1861. Atson has from early 
boyhood been determined to receive an education, and while having 
had ordinary advantages for schools, he has worked himself up until he 
has become possessed of a thorough English education. He is succeed- 
ing remarkably well as a teacher, and few young men are entitled to 
more credit for their studious habits and noble aspirations. Mr. Price is 
one of the many reliable and well-to-do farmers in the county, and has 
gained an enviable reputation among his neighbors. 



EPHRAIM RHOADS, 

farmer, section 7, was born in Andrew County, Missouri, November 27, 
1847, and came to this county with his mother and stepfather, Samuel 
Snider, in 1867. He married Miss Nancy Jane Kellogg, in Andrew 
County, Missouri, in the spring of 1868, and remained there after his 
marriage for three years. He then came to this township, bought a 
farm, and worked hard to improve it, and after living upon it for nine 
years, he disposed of it to Samuel Snider, afterwards buying eighty 
acres of prairie, upon which land he has just erected a fine residence, 
and is making a beautiful as well as a valuable farm. He commenced 
life poor, and what he owns he has made by energy and good business 
calculation. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads consists of three chil- 
dren : William, Leon and Edgar. They are members of the Christian 
Church. 



942 BIOGRAPHICAL. § 

ED. ROBINSON, 

farmer and dairyman, section 32, was born in Ireland in 1829, and there 
received a good education at the Warwick Academy. Upon coming to 
this country in 1848, he settled in Wisconsin and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. In 1851 he fell a victim to the California fever, sold 
out his business and went to the golden fields, being occupied in mining 
for four years. His adventure proving a success, he returned to the 
states and settled in Bloomington, Indiana, embarking in the dry goods 
trade. On account of failing health he moved to Minnesota in 1856. In 
1-862 he enlisted in the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and after 
disposing of the Indian troubles on the northern frontier, the regiment 
was ordered to the southern part of Missouri, where they were engaged 
until 1864, when they were ordered to Louisiana. Mr. R. commanded a 
company, and was an officer who could be relied upon at any time. In 
18^4 he received an honorable discharge and returned to Minnesota, 
where he continued his farming operations. In the spring of 1866 he 
bought land in Andrew County, Missouri, and after living there for five 
years he sold out and bought the beautiful place where he now resides, 
containing 185 acres. He has for many years been studying the princi- 
ples underlying the foundations of our Government, and the result shows 
that he has become an earnest advocate of the Greenback theory. In 
recognition of his ability and fitness for a representative in the state 
legislature, he received the nomination for that position in the cam- 
paigns of 1878 and '80, receiving some 400 votes above his ticket. Mr. 
Robinson married Miss Emma Howe, in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1856. 
They had three children : Sally E., Samuel E. and Mary. Mrs. Robinson 
died in Andrew County, in July, 1866. His second wife was Miss Jennie 
Stockwell, of Bloomington, Indiana, whom he married in 1867. Mr. R. 
has a fine dairy, and keeps from twenty to forty cows, making some of 
the choicest butter in the market. 

SAMUEL SNIDER, 

farmer, section 18, was born in Indiana, March 25, 1825, and came to 
Andrew County, Missouri, in 1849. In March, 1867 he bought his pres- 
ent farm, which he has improved until it contains 160 acres of cultivated 
land. Upon it is a fine orchard with choice fruit. Mr. Snider married 
Mrs. Margaret Rhoads, mother of Ephriam Rhoads, in Andrew County, 
Missouri, in October, 1850. They have six children : William Henry, 
Rebecca Ann, Mary Ellen, John Thomas, James Samuel and Daniel 
Columbus. Mrs. Snider was born in Clarke County, Indiana, April 24, 
1823, and came to Andrew County in 1845. Her first husband was Cal- 
vin Goforth, brother of William Goforth, the first settler in the township. 



SRANT TOWNSHIP. 943 

He died October 7, 1842. She then returned to Indiana, and in 1843 she 
married her second husband, Ephraim Rhoads, and came to Andrew 
County in 1845. They had one child, Ephraim R. Mr. R. died in 1847, 
in Andrew County. Mrs. Snider is a woman of mature judgment, and has 
seen much of 1 he hardships of pioneer life. She belongs to the Christian 
Church, 

JAMES COLUMBUS STOCKTON, 

proprietor of the Western Hotel, was born in Platte County, Missouri, 
August 20, 1844, and in 1857, with the family, he moved to Henry County, 
Iowa, where be received a limited education at Howe's Seminary in Mt. 
Pleasant. After a few years his father moved to Lucas County, where 
the son grew up to manhood. The elder Stockton was unable to provide 
for his family as he could wish to do, so that James when he was four- 
teen years old was compelled to look out for himself. In October, 1858, 
he left home, going about thirty miles, where he hired out to husk and 
gather corn. By winter he had earned a good winter suit and eight 
calves. The latter he drove home and exchanged for a team, which 
transaction proved to be the foundation and starting point of his suc- 
cessful career in life. August 2, 1862, Mr. S. enlisted in the Thirty-fourth 
Regiment Iowa Infantry, Company K, under Captain William Boyles. 
After a general drill at Camp Lawman, in Burlington, the regiment was 
ordered to Vicksburg in time to participate in Sherman's great battle- 
They were them sent to Arkansas Post, where they participated in that 
hard-fought battle. The Union army took 7,000 prisoners, and the Thir- 
ty-fourth Iowa was detailed to guard them to the Chicago prison. Upon 
reaching St. Louis the small pox had broke out on the boat, and Mr. 
Stockton fell a victim to that disease. He was taken to the hospital in 
St. Louis, where he remained until he was discharged for disability and 
returned home. Some months afterwards he enlisted under Captain 
Stockton — his grand-father— in a cavalry regiment, for the service of the 
State of Missouri, being appointed sergeant. The regiment did much 
hard work in following Price and Ouantrell's commands. After the close 
of the war Mr. S. returned to Gentry County, where he settled in busi- 
ness. He married Miss Mary Ann Hussey, in Gentry County, January 
20, 1865. They have four children : Loretta Jane, Albert F., Ida O. and 
Lee J. Mrs. Stockton is the daughter of John Hussey, formerly of North 
Carolina, and is of one the oldest and most distinguished families of 
Quakers in the state. Mr. Hussey gave his daughter forty acres of unim- 
proved land, and with this and the small tract which Mr. Stockton had, 
they commenced the struggle of life. He built a small house, broke up 
his lot and in a short time had it fenced, and since that time has never 
met with a discouragement that he could not control. He added 100 
acres of adjoining land to his farm, all situated and adjoining the village 



944 BIOGRAPHICAL, 

of Mt. Pleasant, and now worth $50 per acre. He also bought a fine 
house in Mt. Pleasant. In 1873 he commenced the hotel business and 
continued it until 1878, when he sold out his hotel property and bought 
the Western Hotel in Barnard, where he is doing a fine business. Mr. 
S.'s daughter Loretta has just entered on a four year's course of stud}- at 
Dr. Martin's Seminary in St. Joseph. He takes great interest in educa- 
tional matters. 

J. B. THOMPSON, 

postmaster at Barnard, was born in Hamden Junction, Vinton County, 
Ohio, in March, 1849, and in 1859 he came with his father to Mills 
County, Iowa. He there received a common education, completing his 
schooling at Otoe College, Nebraska City. He learned the saddle and 
harness trade, at which he worked for several years in Nebraka City and 
St. Joseph, and in 1871 he came to Barnard and opened a shop, continuing 
to conduct it for two years. In 1873 he sold out and commenced to run 
a grocery, drug and confectionery store, which he kept until October, 
[881, when he sold out. In May, 1876 Mr. T. was appointed postmaster 
at Barnard, and has been the incumbent of the office since that time. 
In the spring of 1878 he entered the office of Dr. Heath, and was engaged 
in the study of medicine until he entered the Hospital Medical College 
at St. Joseph, where he attended during the course of 1880-81. Mr. 
Thompson commenced life poor in pocket, but has been fortunate in 
everything that he has undertaken. Honorable in his dealings, consist- 
ent in his course, politically and otherwise, he has gained a good repu- 
tation. He was appointed census enumerator in 1880 for Hughes Town- 
ship. He is a Mason and Odd Fellow. Mr. T. has ever been active in 
all improvements of the village, and is a great friend of schools. 

JONATHAN WOHLFORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Center Count)-, Penn- 
sylvania, November 6, 1834, and at the age of thirteen years his father 
moved his family to Stephenson County, Illinois, and bought a farm. 
The son was engaged in working at home until he was twenty-one, 
when he came to this county in 1855, and bought the farm where he now 
lives, consisting of 400 acres. He improved his land and worked hard, 
and, being successful, in 1868 he erected one of the finest residences in 
the township. When he started here he had but $100. By good man- 
agement and economy he has saved a valuable property. Being a true 
Union man, he took an active part in tin- rebellion, being a member 
of the state troops. He is a good citizen and an honored neighbor. He 
is a leading Republican politician, having held several offices of trust 
and responsibility, the duties of which he discharged with honor and 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 945 

•credit. Mr. VV. married Miss Sarah E. Jobe, daughter of I. S. Jobe, of 
this township, in the fall of 1856. They have six children : Samuel A., 
Mary L. (who married John Perkins, of this township), William D., 
George C, Nora E., and Ira Edward. 

J. S. F. WOOD, 

farmer, fruit grower and clergyman, is the owner of 130 acres of land 
on section 36, upon which are 1,000 choice bearing apple trees. Mr. 
Wood was born in Page County, Virginia, January 6, 1839, and came to 
Missouri with his father in the fall of 1838. He received a good educa- 
tion at the Mt. Pleasant College, in Kansas, and subsequently studied 
for the ministry. In i860, he commenced preaching as a Baptist clergy- 
man, and in 1850, came to Andrew County, Missouri, where he began 
his ministry. Locating in this county in the spring of 1868, he bought 
the farm where he now lives. This he improved, built a comfortable 
house, and set out an orchard of fifteen acres of very choice fruit. He 
"has now over 1,000 bearing trees, which are yielding him large returns. 
Mr. Wood married Miss Sarah Elliott, daughter of Jonathan Elliott, of 
Andrew County, March 8, 1866. They have two children : William J. 
and Jay A. Mr. W. organized the Baptist Church in Bolckow, and has 
started many others. He has made three trips to Virginia and back 
with his team since locating here. He has accomplished much labor on 
his farm, besides attending to his ministerial duties Mr. Wood is serv- 
ing the Baptist Church in Bolckow, as its pastor, very acceptably to the 
congregation. 



: & r T9—3ms—€r 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 



j-z^ec 



F. M. ANDERSON, 

farmer, speculator and cattle feeder, section 6, is a native of Westmore- 
land County, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 28th day of May, 1842. 
He moved with his parents to Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska, 
in 1856, and settled on a farm, where he remained till 1862, when he 
went to Ohio and enlisted in the First Cavalry. He participated in the 
engagements at Jonesburg, Atlanta, Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, was 

on the Wilson raid, and at Ebenezer Church. He was mustered out in 

no 



946 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

October, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. A. then moved to Andrew 
County, Missouri, and, in 1866, returned to his native home, spending 
one summer, when he again went to Andrew County, Missouri, and 
from there to Caldwell County. He then located where he now resides. 
His farm consists of 320 acres of improved land, well watered. Mr. 
Anderson was married December 7, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Moffitt, a 
native of Morgan County, Indiana, born on the 20th day of April, 1846. 
Their family consists of three children : Lavina, born October 13, 1868 ; 
Joseph W., born June 23, 1872, and Oris C, August 31, 1876. Mr. A. is 
a member in good standing of Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F. 

JOHN ASHFORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, is a native of County Devonshire,. 
England, where he was born on the 18th of February, 1824, and subse- 
quently, with his parents, immigrated to Wales, and there remaining till 
he was some twenty-five years of age. Some of the time he was inter- 
ested in the lumber business. In 1849 ne came to America and settled 
in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, on a farm. In 1863 he went to Mon- 
tana Territory, following mining and contracting, and traveled through 
the Yellowstone country and the country in which General Guster was 
killed, and was acquainted with Curtis' guides, James Taylor and Mitch 
Bowies, half-breeds. Mr. A. returned to the states in 187 1, on a visit to> 
his family, who were then residents of Andrew County, Missouri, and 
concluding to remain, he purchased his present farm in Nodaway County,. 
Missouri, in 1872, at once beginning to make improvements. This is now 
under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Ashford was married December 
8, 1844, to Miss Jane Harris, a native of Cornwall, England, born Sep- 
tember 21, 1826. They have had ten children : Mary, Harriet, Benja- 
min, Augusta, Alice, Josephine and Mollie, living, and William, Elizabeth 
and Mamie, deceased. Mr. A. is a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 
189, I. O. O. F., of Graham. 

DR. P. J. BARRON, 

physician and surgeon, a native of Pulaski County, Kentucky, was born 
on the 12th day of December, 1844, on a farm, being the youngest son of 
Walker Barron. P. J. received a good common school education, and 
afterwards attended Gilmore's Institute for some nine months. He 
began the study of medicine with a Dr. Doolin, continuing for about two 
years. In 1864 he enlisted in the Second Kentucky Cavalry, and was 
with General Sherman on his march to the sea, his regiment acting as 
escort to that general at the time of the surrender. Dr. B. was mustered 
out at Lexington, North Carolina, and was discharged at Louisville, 
Kentucky, August 4, 1865. From 1867 to '69 he was engaged in the 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 947 

mercantile business. This he closed out and devoted the next two years 
to purchasing and shipping south large numbers of mules and horses. 
In 1871 he came to Missouri and settled in Graham, Nodaway County, 
associating himself with the firm of McQuary & Bros., and devoting his 
leisure time to the study of medicine. In 1877 he entered the Keokuk 
Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was gradu- 
ated June 18, 1878. He then returned to Graham and began the prac- 
tice of his chosen profession. His studious habits, large experience and 
attention to business have gained for him a name which will place him 
in the front rank among. his fellow practitioners. Dr. Barron was united 
in marriage on the eighteenth of November, 1874, to Miss Sarah J. 
Shamberger, a native of Bolt County, Maryland. She was born August 
4, 1846, and came to Graham in 1872. They have three boys: Jacob 
S., Pleasant J., and Joe F. Dr. B. is a member of the Christian Church. 



S. H. BARNES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born on a farm in Sangamon 
County, Illinois, on the 13th day of August, 1828, and when at the age 
of nine years, with his parents, he moved to Platte County, Missouri, 
and settled on a farm. In 1841 he moved to White Cloud Township, 
this county, and located on the S. L. Briggs place, and while living there 
he planted a sprout only a foot high which has now grown to be a tree 
some three feet in diameter. In 1846 the family moved to Washington 
County, Illinois, and in 185 1 S. H. went across the plains to California, 
starting from St. Louis on the 4th of April, and arriving at Placerville 
on the 7th of September, making the trip with oxen. He there fol- 
lowed mining for about five years, and in 1856 returned to Illinois via 
San Francisco, New Orleans, and St. Louis. He remained in Illinois 
two years, and in 1858 moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and pur- 
chased land on which he resided till i860. As a citizen he has always 
shown a worthy public spiritedness, and has heartily sympathized with 
all local improvements. Mr. Barnes was united in marriage October I, 
1857, to Miss Annie C. Collins, a native of Washington County, Illinois, 
born on the 21st of March, 1840. By this union they have had the fol- 
lowing children : J. W., born October 14, 1858 ; Nancy A., born August 
12, i860; Mary T., born December 24, 1861, died March 17, 1862; 
Laura A., born February 6, 1863, died April 24, 1879; Louisa E., born 
December 17, 1866; Serepta A., born May 10, 1868, died September 12, 
1874; N. H., born December 25, 1869; Ida M., born April 17, 1871 ; 
Stephen E., born February 7, 1873 ; Osa V., born March 10, 1876; Flor- 
ence, born June 28, 1877; Pauline E., born March 31, 1879. Mr - and 
Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. 



948 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HENRY F. BAUBLITS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 18, was born on the 18th of June, 1820, 
on a farm in Baltimore County, Maryland, spending his boyhood 
days in the same county. At the age of seventeen years, he learned 
the shoemaker's trade, working at that business for some years, when he 
learned and worked at the manufactory of grain cradles. In 1854, he 
-moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled some two and a-half 
miles south of Graham, and in 1856, he came to his present location, 
about two and a-half miles southeast of Graham, purchasing 120 acres. 
From this time on he entered, and made additional purchases of land, 
till he now owns about 700 acres finely improved. On coming to Mis- 
souri, he found this a wild prairie, but being a man of great energy, by 
his own industry and good management, he has made this property him- 
self. He is cautious, straightforward, and strictly honest in all transac- 
tions. Mr. B. was married in September, 1842, to Miss Mary Hair, a 
native of Baltimore County, Maryland, born in 1821. By this union 
they have had eight children : Mollie, Melvin, John H. and Alice, living, 
and Sarah, William, Alfred and Charlotte, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. B. 
are both members of the Lutheran Church. 

JOSEPH HARLAN BOHART, 

retired merchant and speculator, is the second son of Richard C. and 
Eliza Bohart. The former was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on the 
7th of September, 1828, and when at the age of four years, with his 
parents, he moved to Clarke County, Indiana. He was a cooper by 
trade, but, in 1853, he embarked in the mercantile business, continuing 
till 1879. He was very ambitious, firm in purpose, honorable and 
strictly methodical in all his transactions. To his excellent business 
qualifications is largely due his remarkable success. Through his energy 
and enterprise the Presbyterian Church was built. He went where duty 
called him at all times, and during any season. His presence was 
always greeted with gladness. He was the able defender of the faith, and 
a wise counselor. Sunday schools were an especial object of interest 
with him. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
belonged to Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F. Mr. Bohart was 
united in marriage September 21, 1848, to Miss Eliza Dunlavy, a native 
of Washington County, Pennsylvania, born on the 6th of June, [826. 
She was the second daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Dunlavy, and 
with her parents moved to Clarke County, Indiana, in 1844. On the 
25th of June, 1876, on a beautiful day near sundown, this noble man, 
Richard C. Bohart, closed his eyes in death. His wife still survives, 
and enjoyes the blessing of his children. She is an active member of 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 949 

the Presbyterian Church. Harlan is a native of Clarke Comity, Indiana, 
and was born on the 18th of February, 1854, and, with his parents, in 
1864, came to .Nodaway County, Missouri, settling at Graham. He 
spent his boyhood days here, and received a good education. In 1875, 
he became the junior member of his father's establishment, a stock con- 
sisting of general merchandise. In 1878, the father sold his interest to 
his two younger sons, and the firm was known as Bohart & Brother. In 
1 88 1, the firm was dissolved, Harlan devoting his entire attention to the 
stock business. He is connected with Mr. Peter Maurer, and the firm is 
among the strongest in the country. Mr. Bohart was married on the 
13th day of May, 1875, to Miss Martha E. Brink, the daughter of John 
Q., and Mary Brink. She was born on the 15th day of June, 1854. 
They have two children, Stella, born September 2, 1878, and Mabel, 
born March 21, 1881. 

WILLIAM B. BOHART, 

liveryman, an enterprising young business man, is a son of Richard C. 
and Eliza Bohart, and is a native of Henryville, Clarke County, Indiana, 
born on the 14th day of August, 1861. When near three years of age 
he was brought to Graham by his parents, in 1864, spending his youth 
here and receiving his education at the High School of Graham. In 
1878, he with a brother, purchased his father's one-half interest in the 
store and continued in the mercantile business till 1881. At that time 
the entire stock was disposed of. Mr. B. then purchased one-half inter- 
est in the stock and stable of E. R. Pratt, and they are doing an excel- 
lent business. Mr. Bohart is a firm friend of his adopted city, and loses 
no opportunity to advance her interest and prosperity. His marriage 
occurred on the 25th day of December, 1879, to Miss Maria Impey, a 
native of Andrew County, Missouri, born on the 3d of April, i860. With 
her parents she came to Graham in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. B. have one 
child, Oron Floyd, born November 5, 1880. Mr. B. is a member of Lodge 
No. 202, of the A. O. U. W. 

URIAH BOND, 

blacksmith, is a native of Guilford, North Carolina and was born on a 
farm on the 12th of July, 1820. He spent his youthful days and received 
a good common school education, in his native county, and in 1843 he 
immigrated to Clay County, Missouri, settling on a farm near Liberty. 
There he remained until 1855, when he moved to Haynesville, Clinton 
County, Missouri, and worked at his trade for seven years. In 1862 he 
responded to his country's call by enlisting in Company B., Sixth Mis- 
souri State Cavalry, and did active service througJi the State of Missouri 
till 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In the fall of 1865 with his 



950 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

family, he moved to Graham, Nodaway County, and resumed the busi- 
ness of village blacksmith. By good management and industry he is 
now pleasantly situated. He was united in marriage on the 30th day of 
September, 1838, to Miss Louisa Fentris, a native of North Carolina, 
born October 9, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Bond have had ten children: 
Thomas C, Jane L., Mary T., Martin N. S. D., Lora A. and Lula H. 
living, and Sarah P., John M., William S., and Rosa, deceased. Mr. and 
Mrs. B. are both members of the M. E. Church. 

CHARLES E. BOWEN, 

carriage painter, section 11, was born in St. Clair County, Michigan, on 
the 19th day of March, 1841, being the eldest son of John and Julia 
Bowen. Charles spent his boyhood and received his education in his 
native county, and there began the painter's trade when but sixteen 
years of age. He responded to his country's call in 1861, by enlisting in 
Company F, Sixteenth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, partici- 
pating in the battles of Yorktown, the seven days battle of the Wilder- 
ness, and the second Bull Run. He received a wound in the left thigh, 
and was transferred to the invalid corps, stationed at Harrisburg, Penn- 
sylvania. He was mustered out August 26, 1865. Mr. Bowen then set- 
tled at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he remained till 1866, when he 
moved to Philadelphia, and in 1867, came to Nodaway County, Missouri. 
He located at Graham, and in 1871, moved to Maryville. In 1876, he 
returned to Grahafn, and farmed till 1880. He then opened a shop and 
began working at his trade. Mr. B. was married February 22, 1864, to 
Miss Cora Costilla, a native of Charleston, North Carolina, born in 1841. 
He formed her acquaintance while he was in the army. They have one 
adopted child, Minnie Cobb, a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, 
born in 1870. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Church of God. 

I. F. BROWN, 

farmer, speculator and cattle feeder, section 11, is a descendant of one of 
the first families 01 Nodaway County, and is a grand child of Abner 
Brown, the founder of the city of Graham. The subject of this sketch, 
better known as "Frank," is a native of Graham, Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, and was born on the 27th day of June, 1847. He spent his youthful 
days here, and received a good common school education at this place. 
He was the eldest son of J. M. and Elizabeth Brown, and when at the 
age of fifteen years his father enlisted in the army and lost his life in the 
war of the rebellion, Frank being the eldest son, it fell on his shoulders 
to look after the interest of the farm and family. This he continued to 
do faithfully, being engaged in farming and raising and dealing in live 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 95 I 

stock. Though young in years he is old in experience in this business, 
and is classed among the leading men of the county. He has associated 
himself with Mr. William E. Johnson, and they are doing an extensive 
trade. Mr. Brown was married on the 20th day of November, 1870, to 
Miss Louisa J. Bond, a native of Clay County, Missouri, born on the 29th 
day of July, 1851. She is the second living child of Uriah and Louisa 
Bond, now residents of Graham. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have a family of 
five children: Chloe C, born October 17, 1871 ; Otto M., born Septem- 
ber 11, 1873; Thomas M., born December 18, 1875; Earle B., born 
August 13, 1877 ; and Fred F., born March 18, 1880. Mrs. B. is a member 
of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. has spent much time traveling through the 
western territories. His farm now consists of 305 acres of finely improved 
land, with excellent buildings. 

W. W. BROWN, 

farmer, speculator, and cattle feeder, section 6, is a native of Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and was born January 20, 1848. He is the second son 
of J. M. and Elizabeth Brown. The former the son of Abner Brown, 
one of the first settlers of Hughes Township, he having come here in 
1840. The subject of this narrative spent his boyhood days and 
received his education at Graham. When he was the age of fourteen 
years, his father enlisted in the army and lost his life at Memphis, Ten- 
nessee, in 1863. W. W.'s time was for the next few years devoted to 
assisting his mother with the farm. When twenty years old he dis- 
posed of his interest in the farm to his brothers, and began the business 
of a live stock speculator. In 1876 he purchased 240 acres of land, 
making an additional purchase in 1880, till now he owns some 400 acres 
of well improved land, with buildings complete, and well watered. Mr. 
Brown was married on the 20th day of November, 1870, to Miss Martha 
A. Trapp, a native of Andrew County, Missouri, born February 1, 1854. 
She is the daughter of Rev. Christian Trapp, a pioneer and a native of 
Missouri, born in 18 19 in Lafayette County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. B. 
are both members of the Christian Church. Their family consists of 
two children : Claudius O., born December 17, 1872 ; Orie B., born 
January 20, 1879. 

THOMAS W. CHAMBERLAIN, 

farmer and cattle feeder, is a native of Meade County, Kentucky, where 
he was born June 18, 1836, being a son of Paul P. and Elizabeth (Lamp- 
ton) Chamberlain, both natives of Virginia. His father was born in 
1812, and died in 1881, and his mother, who was born in 1814, is still 
living in Andrew County, Missouri. Thomas, with his parents, moved 
to Missouri in 1843 and settled in the northwestern part of Andrew 



952 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

County. There he spent his boyhood days, and received his education. 
In 1856 he associated himself with one Garner Kelly, and carried on a 
wood yard on the Missouri River, in Holt County, till 1859, when he 
returned to Andrew County, Missouri. He was united in marriage on 
the 19th of October, 1858, to Miss Eliza J. Hall, the daughter of J. P. and 
Celia (Cobb) Hall. She, with her parents, came to Missouri and settled 
in Andrew County, in 1840. Mr. Chamberlain farmed till 1864, in which 
year he freighted on the plains. He returned during the fall of that year 
and has since been following agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he sold out 
and settled in Nodaway County, Missouri. His farm consists of 24a 
acres of finely improved land, some five miles south of Graham. Mr. 
and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church. They have five chil- 
dren : Mary D., Walter Lee, Soloma, Celia E. and Anna V. 

FAYETTE COOK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 24, is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, 
and was born on the 20th of July, 1829. He spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in his native county, and started out in life for 
himself when but a mere boy, first engaging in agricultural pursuits. In 
1850 he visited the western country, spent the winter in Nodaway 
County, Missouri, returned to Ohio, and in 1858 went to Pike's Peak and 
then to Salt Lake City and through Oregon. From there he traveled 
through North and South California, took a vessel at San Francisco and 
returned to Ohio by the way of New York. He there devoted his time 
to farming, and in 1869 sold out and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and settled on his present farm, consisting of some 400 acres ot well 
improved land, situated about four miles north of Graham. Mr. Cook 
was married February 24, 1852 to Miss Mary Cyphers, a native of New 
Jersey, born on the 24th of October, 1831. With her parents she soon 
after moved to Morrow County, Ohio. Their family consists of six 
children, Samantha, Miles, Allen, James, John and Mary Belle. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cook are both members of the Patrons of Husbandry, Lodge No. 
131, and are supporters of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cook has gained for 
himself a famous reputation as being a large producer. In 1880-81 his 
corn crop amounted to about 9,000 bushels and his wheat footed up 1,000 
bushels. 

ANDERSON CRAIG, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 19, is a native of Gallatin County, Ken- 
tucky, where he was born on the first of June, 185 1, being the fourth son 
of Albert G. and Virginia J. (Brooking) Craig. They were natives of 
Kentucky. Anderson spent his boyhood days and received a common 
schooling in his native county. He graduated in French, German 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 953 

and English literature at the Washington and Lee University, of Lex- 
ington, Virginia, in 1870. In the spring of 1871, he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, purchasing some 320 acres of raw prairie, five miles 
northeast of Graham. By his industry, good management and late 
purchases, he now is owner of 440 acres of finely improved land. Mr. 
Craig was united in marriage on the 17th day of December, 1874, to 
Miss Mary J. Still, a native of Douglas County, Kansas, born on the 11th 
day of January, 1855. She was the only daughter of Dr. J. M. and 
Rahab M. (Saunders) Still, and moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 
1880. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have two children, a son and daughter : Arthur 
S. and Beulah R. They are members of the Baptist Church, and also of 
Patrons of Husbandry Lodge, No. 131. 

WILLIAM H. CRAMER, 

an extensive farmer and stock raiser, section 24, is a native of St. Law- 
rence County, New York, and was born on a farm September 19, 
1839. He passed his boyhood days and received his education in 
his native county, and July n, 1862, enlisted in Company F, One Hun- 
dred and Sixth New York Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the 
battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and was with Gen- 
eral Sheridan. He was discharged in May, 1865, and returned to his 
home in New York ; then went to Michigan, where he stayed two years, 
and, upon selling out, he moved to Illinois, remaing one year, when he 
located in Atchison County, Missouri. This was his home for some 
time. In 1872 Mr. C. moved to Holt County, Missouri, and, in 1874, to 
the farm near which he now resides. In 1877, he returned to Atchison 
County, and farmed till 1880, when he sold out, and again came to Nod- 
away County. His farm consists of 273 acres of improved land, well 
watered. He is a self made man, and has accumulated what he has by 
close attention to business, and strict integrity therein. Mr. C. was mar- 
ried in Will County, Illinois, September 24, 1867, to Miss Dollie Good- 
win, a native of Will County, Illinois, born February 22, 1849. By this 
union they have had four children : Charlotte R., born December 12, 
1868, in Atchison County, Missouri ; Altie M., born February 8, 187 1, in 
Forest City, Holt County, Missouri ; Jesse H., born January 8, 1878, 
in Atchison County, Missouri, died September 29, 1878, and Lois H., 
born August 11, 1879, in Atchison County, Missouri. Mr. Cramer is 
a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 208, of Will County, 111. 

WILLIAM E. CRAWFORD, 

farmer, stock raiser and cattle feeder, section 28, is a native of Fayette 
County, Pennsylvania, and was born October 30, 1842-. In 1844, with 



954 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

his parents, he moved to Ohio, and settled in Pickaway County. In 
October, 1863 he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and participated 
in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee ; Lookout Mountain, Salisbury, 
North Carolina, and with his regiment assisted in the capture of Jeffer- 
son Davis. Mr. C. received his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, in 
1865. He returned to Pickaway County, Ohio, and in 1868 moved to 
Andrew County, Missouri, his parents coming with him. In the spring 
of 1869 he purchased his present farm in Nodaway County, Missouri, 
on which he settled, and by his industry and good management he 
now owns 120 acres of improved land. Mr. Crawlord was married 
May 12, 1863, to Miss Rebecca Hanks, who was born on the 15th 
of April, 1843. She died October 14, 1871, leaving the following 
children : John H., Charles A., Sarah E., and Mary. Mr. C. was mar- 
ried again on the 30th day of August, 1873, to Miss Prudence Camp- 
bell, born in 1845. She died May 19, 1880, leaving two children, Josie 
M. and Flora E. His third marriage was on the 2d of March, 188 1, to 
Miss Ida Tryon, a native of Morgan County, born April 30, 1862. Mr. 
C. is a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. C. worships with the 
Baptist denomination. 

JONATHAN CRYDER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born in Ross County, Ohio, on 
the 23d of April, 1828, and spent his boyhood days and received a good 
education in his native county. In the fall of 1850 he moved to Pike 
County, Illinois and settled on a farm, but sold out in 1865 and came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri. He located about three miles north of 
Graham, where he remained two years, then disposed- of his place and 
purchased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of 120 acres of 
well improved land. Mr. Cryder was married on the 20th day of Octo- 
ber, 1850, to Miss Harriet Downs, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born 
on the 8th of April, 1831. They have had a family consisting of: John 
M., George T., Clara, Mary C. and Atta, living, and Frank, Flora E., 
Curtis G., Emma E. and Albert M. deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

AUSTIN DICKEN, 

dealer in dry goods, is a native of Lexington, Perry County, Ohio. He 
was born on the 27th day of November, 1847, and in 1852 he moved with 
his parents to Logan, Hocking County, of the same state. At this place 
he received a good common school education, and with his parents, in 
1863, he moved near Blandinsville, McDonough County, Illinois, remain- 
ing till 1870, when he came to Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri. He 
worked at the carpenter's trade until September, 1880, when he became 
the junior member of the firm of A. C. Snyder & Co. Mr. Dicken read- 



HUGHES TOWNSHH. 955 

ily reads character, fully appreciates true friendship, and as cordially 
hates hypocrisy in all forms. He is a good type of a successful merchant. 
He was united in marriage on the 2d day of March, 1875, to Miss Lou- 
isa Swank, a native of Crawfordsville, Putnam County, Indiana, born on 
the 3d day of March, 1858. Their family consists of three children: 
Grace B., Effie, and Clarence M. Mr. D. is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
belonging to Lodge No. 189. 

S. S. DOUGHERTY, 

merchant, was born on the 23d day of February, 1854, in St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, being the only child of William W. and Lucetta I. Dougherty, 
natives of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The former was born 
on the 28th day of February, 1806 ; the mother on the first day of Jan- 
uary, 1826. They were united in marriage on the 14th of May, 1843. 
The elder Dougherty went to St. Louis in 1832, and was one of the 
pioneers of that city. He followed merchandising by steamboat for 
twenty years, and in 1867, came to Nodaway County, Missouri, purchas- 
ing a fine farm some five miles east of Graham. He was of that class of 
men who leave their impress wherever they live, and to him, and the 
noble, self-sacrificing labors of his wife, is the city of Graham large'y 
indebted for its good name and prosperity. On the first of August, 
1876, Mr. D. died. His wife survives, and now enjoys the blessing of 
her only child, Sylvester. The latter received his primary schooling at 
St. Louis, and in 1869, he entered St. Joseph College, which he was 
obliged to leave one year previous to graduating, on account of ill health. 
He returned to his home, and was engaged in dealing in live stock for 
some time, when he associated himself with M. M. Dougherty, at Gra- 
ham, and did a general merchandise business. Ir 1875, Mr. M. M. 
Dougherty retired, and the firm was known as S. S. Dougherty & Co. 
In 1876, he sold out and returned to the farm, and in 1879, again entered 
the mercantile business, forming the firm now known as S. S. Dougherty 
& Co. Mr. D. was married April 28, 1877, to Miss Annie M. Murphey, 
a native of Washington, Tazwell County, Indiana, born November 1, 
1857. She graduated from the Independence Academy of Iowa, in 1874. 
They have a family consisting of three children : Cecil, born January 29, 
1878 ; William, born August 12, 1879, ar *d Sylvester, born January 29, 
1 88 1. Mr. and Mrs. D. are both members of the Catholic Church. 

THIEBANT EBERLIN, 

boot and shoe merchant. The subject of this sketch is a native of Mel- 
sheim, Chochfeld, Alsace, where he was born on the 14th day of October, 
1826. After receiving a good education he served an apprenticeship of 



95^ BIOGRAPHICAL. 

two years, working at his business until 1856, except during the time 
that he served in the French revolution during the war of 1849. I" 1856 
he concluded to immigrate to America, and took passage on board the 
vessel Oscar. Landing at New York City, he went direct to Buffalo, 
New York, where he worked for two months, and then located in Cleve- 
land, Ohio. There he made his home for two years, at the end of which 
time he located in Honey Creek, Wisconsin, and worked at his trade for 
fourteen years. In 1868 Mr. E. came to Missouri and settled in Graham, 
Nodaway County. Since that time he has been doing a thriving busi- 
ness. He was married on the 25th day of April, 1853, to Miss Mary C. 
Ham. a native of France, born the 15th day of October, 1825. By this 
marriage they have had two children : Litea, living, and Thiebant, who 
died September 25, 1872. 

JOSEPH P. EMMS, 

of the firm of S. S. Dougherty & Co., merchants, is a native of Kent 
County, England, born April 7, 1833, and was one of twins, sons of James 
Emms, an English revenue officer, who held that important office some 
fifty years. J. P. Emms was of an ambitious and energetie nature, and 
after receiving a good common school education, in 1853 he embarked 
on the ship Golden Rule as steward, doing service during the Crimean 
war. In 1854 he returned to his native place, and in 1855 embarked on 
the steamship Hermann and made some twenty trips between the Eng- 
lish coast and New York City, and one on the Baltic Sea. In 1858 he 
immigrated to America and settled in Woodstock, Illinois, where he was 
engaged in the grocery business. He afterwards purchased a farm on 
which he resided until 1864, when he closed out and moved to Fillmore 
County, Minnesota. There he purchased a tract of land of 240 acres, 
and continued to improve it until 1874. This he disposed of and moved 
to Graham, Nodaway County, where he entered the mercantile business. 
He is kind, generous and courteous, but inclined to be reserved in his 
manner. His heart and hand are in all good works. Mr. E. was united 
in marriage on the 5th day of December, 1858, to Miss Caroline Dunning, 
a native of Dutchess County, New York, born the 7th of September, 
1822. She departed this life the 5th day of March, 1881, in her fifty- 
ninth year, leaving four children : James C, Georgiana H., John F. and 
Mary. 

JOSEPH ENSOR. 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Baltimore County, 
Maryland, on the 23d day of October, 1824, spending his boyhood days 
and receiving his education in his native county. He began life for him- 
self as a farmer, when at the age of twenty-three, then did a mercantile 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 957 

business some three years, and in 1867 he sold out, and with his family 
moved to Hughes Township, Nodaway County, Missouri, settling on a 
farm near where he now resides. His landed interest consists of some 
eighty acres of finely improved land, the result of his own industry and 
good management. Mr. E. was united in marriage the 2d day of March, 
1848, to Miss Levina Barring, a native of Baltimore County, Mary- 
land, born on the 7th of November, 1821. Their family consists of seven 
children: Charles W., Kesih J., Elijah B., Thomas H., Mary C, and Will- 
iam B., living, and Joseph F., deceased. Mr. E. is a Mason in good 
standing, and also belongs to Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F. Mr. 
and Mrs. E. are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

PETER FORCADE, 

farmer and breeder of short horns, is a descendant of one of the best 
known families of Nodaway County, Missouri. His father, Henry For- 
cade, was a native of Byron, Germany, born the 22d of December, 1821. 
He came to America in 1830, settling in Cumberland County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and after various moves located in Nodaway County, Missouri. 
Peter's mother, formerly Sarah J. Gilmore, is a native of St. Clair County, 
Indiana, where she was born the 26th of December, 1824. This couple 
were married on the 22d of February, 1848. Peter is a native of St. 
Clair County, Illinois, and was born December 11, 1848. He spent his 
boyhood days and received his education in his native county, and in 
1865, with his parents, moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, locating 
near where he now resides. His farm consists of 135 acres of well 
improved land, situated about three miles north of Graham, and well 
adapted for stock purposes, on account of the water privileges. Mr. 
Forcade soon found a wife in the person of Miss Amanda Wright, whom 
he married on the first day of May, 1873, she being the daughter of 
David and Nancy (McClung) Wright, and a native of Illinois. She was 
born the 25th of December, 1858, and moved to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. F. have a family of four children : George 
S., born August 10, 1874 ; Frederick C, born May 27, 1876 ; Grace G., 
born October 13, 1878 ; Henry E., born December 25, 1880. Mr. For- 
cade is a member of Lodge No. 189, of the I. O. O. F. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Forcade takes a great 
interest in the breeding of short horn cattle, and stands among the fore- 
most of the list of breeders of Nodaway County. His herd can be traced 
directly to the Bates strain of cattle. The following is the pedigree of 
Mazurka 24th : By Baron Bates 6th, 22,009 ! Mazurka 22d, by Duke 
Clifton, 11,672 ; Mazurka 21st, by Filligree's Oxford, 6,736 ; Mazacca.by 
Lord Lieutenant, 6,966; Mazurka 20th, by Royal Oxford, 18,774; 
Mazurka 14th, by Export Albion, 19,209 ; Mazurka 5th, imported Duke 



9S8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Albion, 12,780; Mazurka 2d, by Orontes 2d, 11,877; Import, by Har- 
binger, 10,297. 

H. A. FORCADE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 25, is the son of Henry and Sarah J. 
(Gilmore) Forcade, and was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, on the 30th 
of January, 1852. When at the age of thirteen years, with his parents, 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled some three miles 
north of Graham, near where he now resides. His farm consists of ninety- 
five acres of good land, well watered and adapted to grain and stock- 
He was married to Miss Lorinda A. Miller, on the 16th of October, 1874. 
She was a native of Athens County, Ohio, and was born the 9th of 
November, 1848. Mr. Forcade is a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 
189. Both he and his wife belong to the Baptist Church, and Patrons of 
Husbandry Lodge No. 131. Mr. Forcade is a young man of excellent 
judgment, and though beginning without capital, excepting a few acres 
of land given him by his father, and prompted by an ambition to become 
known as an upright, honorable and influential man, he has by his own 
efforts risen to his present position. 

JAMES W. GILE, 

farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Boone County, Indiana, where he 
was born the 16th day of January, 1847. I n l %$0, with his parents, he 
moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and settled on a farm, starting out in 
life for himself, when eighteen years old, as an agriculturist. He came 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1870, and as a renter farmed till 1871, 
when he settled on his present farm, consisting of eighty acres of well 
improved land situated in section 30. Mr. G. was married the 29th 
day of March, 1874, to Miss Anna J. McComb, a native of Canada, born 
the 6th day of February, 1857. She moved with her parents, and lived 
in Indiana for one year, in Michigan for two years, and made her home 
three years in Cedar County, Iowa. She came to Nodaway County in 
1874, and settled some eight miles south of Maryville. Mr. and Mrs. 
G. are both members of Patrons of Husbandry Lodge No. 131, Hughes 
Township, and belong to the Baptist Church. Their family consists of 
three children : Eva May, Clara R. and Lara. 

JAMES GILLES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 15, is a native of County Down, Ireland, 
born December 23, 1817, and in 1841 he emigrated to Quebec, Lower 
Canada, with his parents, being about seven weeks on the water. They 
moved to Vermont in 1842, and settled on a farm, and in 1870 came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, locating on the farm on which he now 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 959 

resides, consisting of 120 acres of well improved land. Mr. G. is indeed 
the architect of his own fortune, and his life furnishes a most worthy 
example of what may be attained by constant, persistent, honest effort. 
He was married the 2nd day of June, 1842, to Miss Clarinda Crawford, a 
native of Vermont, born in 1824. She died on the I2th of October, 1858, 
leaving a family of Simeon J., John L., Jane, Louisa, Nancy, Rebecca 
and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. G. were both members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

JAMES F. GROVES, 

farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Platte County, Missouri, and was 
born on the 22d of June, 1839. ^ n 1840, with his parents, he moved to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled in White Cloud Township, and 
in 1857 he came to Hughes Township, locating first on a farm north of 
Graham. In July, 1861, he enlisted in company F, First regiment Con- 
federate Cavalry, and was under General Price. He was discharged in 
November, 1861, at Lexington, Missouri, and on the 1st of January, 1862, 
he re-einlisted and participated in the battles of Wilson Creek, Drywood 
and Corinth, and was afterwards discharged. He then took the oath and 
returned to Graham in 1864. Mr. G., with his family, moved to a place 
near Omaha, Nebraska, and farmed till the fall of 1865, when he was 
engaged in teaming at Omaha tell 1866, then returning to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. In 1868 he moved to Atchison County, Missouri,, 
and was occupied in the livery and ferry business till 1871, when he 
moved to his present farm, three miles north of Graham, consisting of 
120 acres of improved land. Mr. Groves was married in August, 1863, 
to Miss Sarah R. Spencer, and by this union they have a. family consist- 
ing of Susan N., William J., Thomas M., Ettie M., Hiram L., Charles, 
Nellie and Jesse James living, and Robert L. and an infant deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. G. and daughter Susan are members of Patrons of Hus- 
bandry Lodge No. 131. 

W. T. HARDIN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 21. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Bath County, Kentucky, and was born on the 1st of April, 1847, on a 
farm. He spent his boyhood days and received his education in his 
native county, and in 1873 came to Nodaway County, Missouri. He was 
united in marriage the 25th of March, 1873, to Miss Susan Baublits, a 
native of Baltimore County, Maryland born in 1848. She came to Mis- 
souri with her parents in 1854, and settled in Hughes Township. By 
this union they have three children : Callie, Harley T. and Leslie. Mr. 
H. owns a farm consisting of 160 acres of improved land, well watered. 
He is a Mason in good standing, 



960 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

VALENTINE HAMM, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 5, is a native of France, where he was 
born February 17, 1842, being a son of Valentine Hamm. The subject 
of this sketch came to America in 1857, landed at New York, and went 
from there to West Troy, Wisconsin. Here he learned the boot and shoe 
business, and in 186 1 enlisted in the Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- 
try. He was mustered out after nine month's service, and then returned 
to Wisconsin. Mr. Hamm was united in marriage on the 9th of Septem- 
ber, 1869, to Miss Maria Kludas, a native of Germany, born the 19th of 
April, 1848. She was a daughter of Frederic and Sophia (Kesh) Kludas, 
and when at the age of nineteen years, came to America, and in 1868 
landed at New York. She then went to Burlington, Wisconsin. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. H. settled at Graham, where they lived one 
year, and then moved to their present home, which consists of eighty 
acres of land. They have one adopted child : Mamie, born April 20, 
1870. Mr. and Mrs. H. are both members of the German M. E. Church. 

JAMES HAMMOND, 

farmer, section 23, was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, July 6, 1848, 
being a son of William and Margaret (Gillmore) Hammond. The father 
was a native of the West Indies, born on the 24th of August, 1822, and died 
February 29, 1856. The mother was a native of St. Clair County, 
Illinois, born January 21, 1827. They were married January 17, 1847, 
James spent his boyhood days and received his education in his native 
county, and subsequently, with his mother and grand parents, came to 
Missouri. He was married November ir, 1875, to Mrs. (Krackt) Gill- 
more, born June 28, 1842. Mr. H.'s family consists of two children, 
William G. and Edward L., and Mrs. H. has two children by a former 
marriage, Q. A. and John W. J. Gillmore. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are 
both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hammond's farm consists of 
160 acres of improved land, well watered. 

SAMUEL B. HAYZLETT, 

farmer and breeder of short horn and Hereford cattle, section 25, was 
born on a farm in Hancock County, Indiana, August 6, 1842, and was 
the second son of James and Angeline (Taylor) Hayzlett. Samuel spent 
his boyhood days and received his education in his native county, and 
began life for himself when at the age of twenty-one years, by working 
on a farm by the month. In 1865 he purchased a farm, but soon after 
disposed of it and associated himself with one Thomas Fletcher, of Indi- 
ana. They purchased about 120 government wagons and 720 mules, 
which they shipped to St. Joseph, Missouri, witli the expectation of doing 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 961 

a Freighting business across the plains. This was abandoned on account 
of railroads. They traded the wagons for some 800 acres of land in Hughes 
Township, Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. H. then sold out his inter- 
est in the mules and harness, and settled on this land, commencing its 
improvement. His farm now consists of 1,500 acres. In 1873 he was 
obliged to make an assignment, but through some friends safely stood 
the financial storm, and now stands among the strongest farmers, finan- 
cially, in Hughes Township. Mr. H. was married on the nth day of 
August, 1875, to Miss Samantha Cole, born on the 14th of September, 
185 1. By this union they have three children: Stoden F., born March 
15, 1876; Logan, born December 16, 1878; Elmer, born November 16, 
1880. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church. 

GEORGE W. HUTCHISON, 

speculator. This energetic business man is a native of Pulaski County, 
Kentucky, where he was born on the 25th of December, 1846, being the 
son of D. and Nancy (Corbet) Hutchison. George, with his parents, 
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled northwest of Mary- 
ville in 1852. His father died in the fall of the same year, and then 
George, with his mother, moved, going two and a half miles south of 
Savannah, in Andrew County, Missouri. In the fall of 1866, he entered 
the employ of J. O. Brink, a merchant at Graham, with whom he 
remained till 1868, when he purchased an interest in the firm of J. L. 
Gomel & Co., general merchants. He sold out in 1869, and, for the 
next ten years, was engaged in speculating in live stock and real estate. 
In 1879, he purchased an interest with S. S. Dougherty, at Graham, and 
followed merchandising till 1880, when he entered the employ of E. F. 
Weller, at Maitland, having sold the first goods in that place. He soon 
entered the employ of William A. Graham, and afterwards purchased 
an interest with M. M. Dougherty, general merchant, but sold out in 
July, 1 88 1. Mr. Hutchison was married to Miss Lizzie Ashford, a 
daughter of John Ashford. She died, leaving two children, but they 
also soon died. He was again married, to Miss Lizzie Eckels, on the 
19th of February, 188 1, she being a native of Perry County, Ohio, born 
December 3, 1861. She is a daughter of M. and Sarah B. Eckels. 

F. W. IMPLY, 

of the firm of Impey & Lyle, druggists, was born in Andrew County, 
Mo., on the 23d day of December, 1849, on a farm, being a son of Dr. Impey. 
The subject of this sketch enjoyed excellent educational advantages, 
having graduated from the St. Joseph Commercial College in 1871. The 
same year he spent some three months on a pleasure tour through Kan- 



962 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

sas and Colorada. Upon returning he entered the employ of Morgan & 
Thornton, druggists, of Graham, and continued in their employ until 
October, 1871, when he purchased the interest of J. J. Bender in the diug 
house of Bender & Impey, now known as Impey & Lyle. They carry a 
large stock of goods, and their sales will compare very favorably with 
that of any like house in the county. Mr. Impey was married on the 
15th day of September, 1875, to Miss Lizzie Black, a native of Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania. She subsequently moved with her parents to Linn 
County, Iowa. They have by this union three children : Effie E., Mabel 
B. and Edna Leona. 

CORWIN JOHNSTON, 

photographer and justice of the peace, was born on a farm in Brown 
County, Ohio, on the 3d day of August, 1845, and when at the age of 
fourteen years, with his parents, h^ moved to Appanoose County, Iowa, 
there locating on a farm. He received good educational advantages, 
and in 1861 moved to Dakota County, Minnesota, where he was engaged 
in tilling the soil till 1863. He then enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota 
Infantry, but was discharged on account of poor health, after which he 
re-enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery and served his entire 
term. After being discharged, in 1865, he returned to his home and 
was occupied in the grocery business for four years. In 1870 he closed 
out and came to Graham, Nodaway County. He was appointed post- 
master, which position he continued to fill for some three years, when 
he resigned in favor of the present incumbent, Mr. J. Morton. At one 
time Mr. Johnston was registering officer, serving until it was discon- 
tinued. In 1878 he was elected justice of the peace. His genial nature, 
courteous manner, wise, sagacious management have made him one of 
the best, as he is one of the most popular officials of this district. He 
was united in marriage on the 7th day of May, 1866, to Miss P. A. Can- 
field, a native of Rochester, New York, born the 21st day of May, 1848. 
By this union they have six children : Orsamus G., Lucy M., Josie M., 
M. Rozetta, P. A. and Florence, all living. Mr. and Mrs. J. are both 
members of the M. E. Church, Mr. J. being Sunday School superintendent. 
He is also N. G. of Lodge No. 189, of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. 

W. E. JOHNSTON, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 9, is a native of Roanoake County, Vir- 
ginia and was born the 18th day of August, 1846. When at the age of 
three years, with his parents he moved to Cass Count)', Illinois, where 
they remained one winter, then going to Shelby County, Illinois. There 
they made their home till fall, when W. E. returned to his native county, 
and in 1861 moved with his parents to Cass County, Illinois, settling on 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 963 

a farm. Here the subject of this sketch received his education. He 
began life on his own account in 1863, in the occupation of a farmer, in 
that year moving to Nodaway County, Missouri, locating where he now 
resides. By his own industry and good management he is now the 
owner of 280 acres of improved land, mostly in grass, with excellent 
water for stock privileges. Mr. Johnston displays the best judgment in 
making selections of stock. As a business man he is prompt and ener- 
getic, and has secured the esteem of all with whom he has had to do. 
He was united in marriage on the 12th of February, 1873, to Miss Mary 
C. Robertson, a native of Cass County, Illinois, born the 26th of April, 
1837. They have three children: Charles W., born July 16, 1874, John 
I., born March 1, 1876; Margaret E., born June 3, 1878. 

JOHN J. JONES, 

tonsorial artist, is a native of Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born January 6, 1852. When at the age of eight years, 
he, with his uncle, moved to Columbus, Columbia County, Wisconsin, in 
i860, and there he received a good common school education. In 1870, 
he commenced railroading on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as 
brakeman, and was in the employ of that company two and one-half 
years. In 1873, he went to Peoria County, Illinois, and remained for a 
few months, when he located in Osage City. In 1874, he came to 
Graham Nodaway, County, Missouri, and soon afterwards opened a 
shop. Here he is now doing a fine business in his line, and receives a 
liberal patronage. 

CHARLES KEENE, 

farmer and stock raiser, was born in Oxfordshire, England, January 6„ 
1842, and with his parents came to America in 1849, settling in New 
York. There they remained one year, and in 1850 moved to Licking 
County, Ohio, where they farmed. In 1855 they located some five miles 
west of Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, remained till 1859, an d then 
moved to Menard County, Illinois. Here the subject of this sketch began 
life for himself by working on farms for different persons, and in 1869 he 
entered 320 acres of land in Gage County, Nebraska. In 1871 he pur- 
chased his present place, consisting of f6o acres ot well improved land. 
In 1877 he settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, and began the improve- 
ment of his land, now having it under excellent cultivation. He is a 
man of few words, but strictly honest and upright in all his business 
transactions. Mr. Keene was married on the 26th of October, 1878, to 
Miss L. M. Albin, of Baltimore County, Maryland, born in December, 
i860. She settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, with her parents in 
1871. Mr. and Mrs. Keene have one child: Bert Edward, born July 20, 
1879. 



964 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN W. KENNEDY, 

of the firm of Ogle & Kennedy, patentees of the self acting farm gate. 
The subject of this sketch is a native of Putnam County, Missouri, and 
was born on. the 19th of June, 1856, being the son of Alex, and America 
(Smith) Kennedy. The former was a native of Ohio, and died Novem- 
ber 2, 1868. The mother is a native of Kentucky, and, after her mar- 
riag, with her husband, she settled in Putnam County, Missouri. John 
passed his boyhood clays in his native county, and was educated at Tren- 
ton, Grundy Count}-, Missouri. He spent the time from 1872 till 1875 in 
clerking, and then farmed till January 1, 1882, when he entered into the 
patent right business. 

HUGH LYLE, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, was born on the nth day of Novem- 
ber, 1827, and was raised in Londonderry County, Ireland. After work- 
ing for some years he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Hutchinson, 
the 3d day of August, 1849. She was born in 1826, and was raised in the 
same county as himself. Shortly after their marriage they embarked for 
America, and landed at New York city, after a voyage of seven weeks, 
soon settling at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Mr. Lyle worked some three 
years as a furnaceman, and in 1849, w ' tn 'his family, he emigrated to 
Adams County, Illinois, where he located on a farm. This he continued 
to cultivate until 1869, when he sold out, and with his family came to 
Northwest Missouri, settling in Nodaway County about five miles east of 
Graham, where he had purchased a tract of land two years previous. He 
found a wide, wild prairie, but being a man of great energy and possessed 
of an indomitable will, he began the improvement and cultivation of his 
land. In this his hopes have been realized. Here he can pass the 
remainder of his days in company with his wife, who has all along 
shared his lot. In business circles he stands prominent for his unswerv- 
ing integrity and stability. He is cautious, firm in purpose, honorable 
and strictly methodical in all his transactions. He selected a choice 
location for his home, and from the wilds of the prairie succeeded in 
making a 'fine farm of 400 acres, surrounded by Osage hedges and wire 
fence. Situated near the center is a large frame house. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyle are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Their family con- 
sists of James, William J., Robert, Humphrey, Rankin, Sarah, Hugh H. 
and Alexander living, and Margaret J. and Anna M. deceased. 

W. J. LYLE, 

of the firm of Impey & Lyle, druggists, is a native of Pennsylvania, in 
which state he was born on the 1 ith day of November, 1850. being a son 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 965 

of Hugh Lyle, now a resident of this township. At the age of two 
years the subject of this sketch moved to Quincy, Adams County, Illi- 
nois, where he remained until 1869, when, with his parents, he moved to 
this county and township, his father having previously purchased a large 
tract of land. W. J. Lyle's educational advantages were excellent. In 
1869, he entered upon the business career which has thus far proven to 
be an exceptionally successful one. For two years he was employed as 
a farm hand, and now is a partner in the drug store of Impey & Lyle, 
besides owning fine town property, and also a farm of 160 acres of well 
improved land in Hughes Township. Mr. Lyle was united in marriage 
on the 1 8th day of February, 1875, to Miss Sarah F. Keller, and by this 
union they have two children, Minnie Belle and Clarence H. 

J. S. McCLASKEY, 

hardware merchant, was born on a farm in Andrew County, Missouri, 
February 22, 1857, ar >d received a good common school education, resid- 
ing with his parents, and moving with them in 1869, to Nodaway County, 
Missouri. They settled on a farm near Quitman, and from 1874 to 1876, 
J. S. attended the Fillmore graded school. He returned to the home 
farm, and assisted his parents till 1878, when he entered the mercantile 
business at Graham. He is a man of great precision of character, a.nd 
endowed with strong and enduring convictions of right. Mr. McClaskey 
was married on the first day of September, 1878, to Miss Mary J. 

Mc Cute hen. 

T. G. McNEAL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born in Huntingdon County 
Pennsylvania, on the 12th of June, 1831, spending his boyhood days and 
receiving his education in his native state. His father died when Thomas 
was about twenty years oi age, and with an older brother and mother 
and family of smaller children, he moved to Lamar County, Texas, and 
settled on a farm. In 1862 he entered the secret service under General 
J. M. Thayer, U. S. A., and served till 1865, having had some very nar- 
row escapes. In February, 1865, he purchased the farm on which he 
now resides, and then started for Texas after his mother, but found that 
she had moved to Jackson County, Missouri. T. G. went to her location 
and moved the family to Nodaway County, Missouri, being robbed 
while on the road of some $450 — his entire cash capital. His farm now 
consists of 168 acres of well improved land. Mr. McNeal was married 
on the 28th of December, 1865, to Miss Susan Baublits, who was born on 
the 28th of May, 1846, in Baltimore County, Maryland. Mr. and xMrs. 
McNeal are members of the Baptist Church. Their family consists of 
seven children : Samuel N., Nettie, Isaac A., Florence, George A. and 
Mary, living, and Hattie, deceased. 



966 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

MILES McNEAL, 

farmer and wine manufacturer, section 23, was born in Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1850, being the son of J. G. and 
Margaret (Shore) Miles. His father was a native of that county and 
state, born February 15, 1817, and his mother was also from that county. 
She was born on the 6th of May, 18 17. They were married January 9, 
1840, and then moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1869. Miles 
spent his boyhood days and received his common school education in 
in his native state, coming with his parents to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri. He remained with them and devoted his time to agricultural pur- 
suits, and in 1870 graduated from Bryant's Commercial College, at St. 
Joseph, Missouri. Then he returned to his old home and was engaged 
in teaching school during the winter and in farming in the summer 
months. He purchased a tract of land and planted a vineyard, and by 
his industry and good management is now known as one of the most 
successful wine makers in Northwestern Missouri. He has a wine cellar 
having a capacity of 150 barrels. His crop of 1881 produced 100 barrels 
of wine, and he sold in the market over 2,500 pounds of grapes. In 
September, 188 1, Mr. McNeal entered the employ of Henry Huffman, 
proprietor of the Skidmore Elevator, as cashier and bookkeeper. He is 
of a genial nature, courteous to all, popular with his employers as well 
as the public. He has unfortunately been a cripple from childhood. By 
his excellent primary educational advantages and by the further prose- 
cution of his studies in later life, he was very successful as a. teacher, 
and never wanted for a school when he would take one. 

THOMAS L. MARLIN, 

hardware merchant and farmer, section ,26, was born in Platte County, 
Missouri, on the 16th day of November, 1837, being the only child of 
Daniel and Matilda Marlin, natives of Smith County, Tennessee. They 
had settled in Platte Count}-, Missouri, and in 1839, moved to Nodaway 
County, near where Thomas now resides. Here he spent his boyhood 
days, and received a good common school education. His father went 
to California in 1S50, and soon after died. When but a mere boy, Thomas 
took charge of the farm, and by his industry and good management, 
proved himself a successful provider. In 1864, he enlisted in the Sixth 
Missouri State Cavalry, doing service till May, 1865, when he returned 
10 his farm, and devoted his entire attention to agriculture and stock 
raising. He served as justice of the peace in 1876 7. In 1880, he entered 
into the hardware business at Skidmore, and is now doing a successful 
trade. His farm consists of 120 acres of well improved land, upon which 
is a good residence and all necessary out buildings. Mr. M. is a mem- 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 967 

ber of the M. E. Church South. He is positive in character, and inde- 
pendent in action. Courteous, social and highly esteemed in business 
and social circles, he is among the respected citizens, as well as one of 
the oldest settlers of the county. Mr. M. was married on the 10th day 
of April, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Lawson, a native of Illinois, born Febru- 
ary 8, 1839. Mr. M.'s mother resides with him, she now being in her 
sixty-seventh year, and is enjoying good health. 

NOAH MAST, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 22, is a native of Watauga County, North 
Carolina, born on the 20th of February, 18 12, being the son of John and 
Sarah (Harmon) Mast, natives of North Carolina. Noah remained in 
that state till 1839, when he moved to Buchanan County, Missouri, and 
settled on a farm. He passed through all the privations of pioneer life 
in that county, and on August 14, 1842, took a wife in the person of Miss 
Catharine Rollen. She was born January 27, 18 18, being a native of 
North Carolina. Mr. Mast, with his wife, gathered together their worldly 
goods and emigrated to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1843, and settled 
where he now resides, about five miles north of Graham, on the banks 
of the Nodaway River. His farm consists of 156 acres of well improved 
land. Mrs. Mast departed this life on the 8th of September, 1865, leav- 
ing five children : John, Susan R., W. G., Martha E. and Mary P., living, 
and James F., deceased. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

W. J. MATHERLY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born in Mercer County Ken- 
tucky, on the 19th of November, 1826, and when at the age of nine 
years, with his mother, he went to Decatur County, Indiana, making his 
home with his grandparents. In 1839, in company with his mother and 
grandparents, he moved to Missouri, and settled near DeKalb, Buchanan 
County. In 1841, he began life for himself by working on a farm and in 
brick yards, and, in 1845, he commenced farming for himself. In 185 1, 
he moved to Taylor County, Iowa, and, in the spring of 1852, came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, settling near Graham. He made many 
changes, and finally located where he now resides, his farm consisting of 
eighty acres of fine land, well improved. Mr. M. was married on the 
20th of December, 1846, to Miss Lydia Allumbaugh, born in 1830. She 
died on the 22d of September, 1878, leaving the following children : 
Sallie A., Andrew J., Irena, William, George, Martin, Mary A., Lydia, 
James and Peter (twins), living, and Nancy, John, Jasper and Martha, 
deceased. Mr. M.'s second marriage occurred on the 13th of March, 
1876, to Mrs. C. E. Jones, born the 15th of April, 1836. Her maiden name 
was Goon, and she was born in Clearfield Count}-, Pennsylvania, and 



968 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

moved to Missouri in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. M. are both church members. 
Mr. M. is a Mason in good standing, belonging to Maryville Lodge, 
No. 301. 

WILLIAM H. MAURER, 

live stock dealer, was born in the town of Otisco, Clarke County, Indi- 
ana, on the 1 8th day of January, 1851, his boyhood being spent at that 
place until at the age of thirteen, when with his parents he moved to Mis- 
souri. They settled some five miles west of Graham, in Holt County, 
and there William assisted his father on a farm till at the age of twenty, 
receiving a good education. His natural inclinations were for the hand- 
ling of live stock, but he started out as a farmer, handling stock at times, 
and in 1875 associated himself with Mr. George H. Peterson. They soon 
became known as one of the leading firms of Northwest Missouri, hand- 
ling live stock of all descriptions, at times by the train loads. The firm 
now owns a fine stock farm of some 900 acres, excellently improved in 
every particular. Mr. Maurer is cautious, firm in purpose, and honora- 
ble. To his excellent business qualifications is the firm largely due for 
its remarkable financial management. He is reserved in manner, of few 
words, yet possesses those qualities which make him popular with all. 
He is a member in good standing of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 202. 
Mr. M. was united in marriage on the 10th day of March, 1871, to Miss 
Plasila Brown, who was born on the 20th of July, 1853, a daughter of 
Jacob and Elizabeth Brown. They settled in Hughes Township, Noda- 
way County, Missouri, in 1842. Mr. Maurer's family consists of four 
children: Arthur J., born July 10, 1872; John E., born July 21, 1874; 
Mamie, born in 1877, and Sarah Ethel, born March 15, 1879. 

PETER MAURER, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 10, is a native of Clarke County, Indi- 
ana, where he was born on the 26th day of December, 1852. When at 
the age of eleven years, in 1864, with his parents he moved to Holt 
County, Missouri, settling on a farm some five miles west of Graham. 
In 1865, he moved to Nodaway County, locating near Graham. In 1875, 
Peter went to Denver, Colorado, and followed the freighting business for 
some six months, when he returned to Graham and farmed and fed cattle 
for one year. In 1874, he did a livery and transfer business, carrying the 
mail from Graham to Bigelow, Missouri. He sold out, and farmed in 
1875-6, and for the next three years was engaged in butchering and 
shipping live stock. In 1879, he became associated with J. Harlan 
Bohart, purchasing some 360 acres of improved land. They now devote 
their entire time to the live stock business, being one of the largest firms 
in this section of the county. Mr. Maurer was united in marriage on the 






HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 969 

18th day of March, 1875, to Miss A. Milligan, a native of Perry County, 
Ohio, born in 1853. Both Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. M. is popular, cautious and firm in purpose. Though 
modest in appearance, he is nevertheless liberal, and stands high for his 
unswerving integrity and stability. 

J. A. MENDENHALL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 8, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, 
and was born on a farm on the 10th day of March, 1839. He spent his 
boyhood days and received a good education in his native state, and in 
the year i86r taught school till the 14th day of November, when he 
responded to his country's call by enlisting in Company E, Seventy-fifth 
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in some thirty 
battles, among which were the second battle of Bull Run, Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Culpeper Court House, Kelley's Ford and Get- 
tysburg, Pennsylvania. He was taken prisoner and confined for about 
twenty-two months in different prison pens in the South, finally being 
released on the nth day of March, 1865. He returned to his old home 
in Morgan County, Ohio, and June 3, 1865, came to Andrew County, 
Missouri, his parents having moved there some months previous. That 
summer Mr. M. took a trip across the plains. In 1866 he went to Hol- 
ton, Kansas, where he opened a drug store remained till 1867, when he 
moved to Nodavyay County, Missouri. He selected a choice location, 
and from the wilds of the prairie he has obtained 240 acres of well 
improved land. Mr. M. has taught school almost every winter since 
living in Nodaway County, and for six winters was in one district. In 
business affairs he possesses rare judgment and extensive practical 
knowledge, and his wise counsel is often sought for by those more 
actively engaged. On the 19th day of May, 1867, he was married to 
Miss Temperance Green, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, born on 
the 3d day of May, 1841. She came on a visit to Andrew County, Mis- 
souri, where she formed Mr. M.'s acquaintance. Their family consists 
of: James L., born April 19, 1868, died October 30, 1869 ; Etta J., born 
May 14, 1869, died February 14, 1870; Cora C, born September 22, 
1870, died in November, 1872 ; B. F., born September 2, 1872; Bessie 
B., born May 27, 1875 ; Ruth E., born November 7, 1876, and Clyde, 
born August 2, 1881. 

ISAAC MILLER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born on a farm in Monroe County, 
Indiana, on the 2d of January, 1820, being the second son of Mary M. 
(Myers) Miller, natives of Wythe County, Virginia. The former was 
born September 17, 1795, and the latter on the 2d of May, 1802. Isaac 



970 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

spent his boyhood days and received his education in his native state. 
When at the age of fifteen years he began working at the carpenter 
trade, farming at times, till 1848, when he moved to Adams County, 
Illinois, and in 1853, to McDonough Count}-, of the same state. In 1868 
lie sold out and came to Andrew County, Missouri, and in 1869 purchased 
a farm consisting of 160 acres of wild land. By his own industry and 
good management he now has one of the best improved farms in this 
part of the country. Mr. M. was married on the 19th of February, 1846, 
to Miss M. J. Berry, a native of Monroe County, Indiana, born July 20, 
1827. She was the eldest daughter of William and Patsy A. (Girens) 
Berry. Her father was born in 1803, in Kentucky, and her mother was 
born November 14, 1808, in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both 
members of the Christian Church. They have the following children : 
William M., Addison H., Mary M., J. M. Alvin G., L. C, Effie A. and 
Jennie D., living and Samuel H., T. M., John M., and Robert W., 
•deceased. 

REV. A. K. MILLER, 

minister, farmer and stock raiser, section 27, is a native of Bath Count}-, 
Kentucky, and was born January 15, 1822, being a son of William and 
Cassanda (Ross) Miller. With his parents, he moved to Montgomery 
County, Indiana, in 1836, and settled on a farm, receiving his education 
in that state. Mr. M. was married on the 28th of August, 1846, to Miss 
Jane C. Mitchell, who was born October 1, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. M. 
settled on a farm, and there remained until selling out, when they moved 
to Linn County, Iowa, in 1865, there being located on a farm of 120 acres 
of fine land. In 1873, he disposed of his interests there, and came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri, stopping for a short time in Maryville. He 
subsequently purchased his present farm, consisting of eighty acres of 
well improved land. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Miller consists of eight 
children : Sarah A., William N., Mary E., Jane C, Tibey G., Harriet C, 
John S. and Carrie L. Mr. Miller has pursued his chosen calling with 
untiring zeal, and with a success which has earned- for him no inferior 
rank among the preachers of the state. 

DR. JAMES WOODS MORGAN, 

Graham, the seventh child and fifth son of John B. and Elizabeth 
QIcDonaldj Morgan, was born in Shelby County, Indiana, March 12, 
1834. In the fall of 1841 he came with his parents to Missouri, settling 
on a farm four miles southwest of Maryville. He received a common 
English education, mostly obtained at a school house three and a-half 
miles distant, "hoofing" it night and morning. His youth was spent on 
a farm al common labor incident to farm life, doing as little manual 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 97 1 

labor as circumstances would permit. In the fall of 1854 he commenced 
the study of medicine with Drs. J. V. A. Woods and B. G. Ford. He 
■was married to Laura F., daughter of Ebenezer and Hulda Scott, on the 
3d day of August, 1856, at Maryville, Missouri, Rev. S. T. Ren fro, of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, officiating. There were born of this union 
Arthur McDonald, May 14, 1857, died October 2d following; Roberta 
Austin, born July 9, 1858, died September 19, 1867 ; Matilda Alice, born 
February 12, 1862, died February 25, 1862; Laura F., born February 10, 
1864, died July 31, 1864. Mrs. Morgan was born in the State of Ver- 
mont, September 30, 1835. Her father was a cousin of General Winfield 
Scott. She was a member of the M. E. Church South, and was what a 
woman ought to be — faithful, devoted and kind. Dr. Morgan com- 
menced the practice of his profession in Graham, Missouri, July 3, 1859, 
and continued there until July 3, 1861, then being driven off by Confed- 
erate soldiers. He went to "Dodely's" and bushwhacked in the home 
guards until the provisional government of Missouri was formed, and in 
September he was mustered into six months service under the call of 
Governor Gamble. He was elected and commissioned first lieutenant 
of Company H, of what is known at adjutant general's office as Kemble's 
Regiment of State Troops. In the November following he was detached 
from this company, and put in charge of the Hax House Hospital, where 
he remained until discharged. He enlisted on the 24th day of March, 
1862, in what is known as the Fourth Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri 
State Volunteer Militia, United States Army, commanded by Colonel 
George H. Hall. At that time there'was no volunteers being called for, 
but through the solicitation of Governor Gamble, permission was given 
him to raise ten regiments of cavalry for scouting purposes. He was on 
duty in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and the Indian Territory. He was 
elected and commissioned first lieutenant of Company K of said regi- 
ment May 14, 1862, and was on duty in St. Joseph. He was again put 
on detached service, and placed in command of provost guard, where he 
remained until the latter part of June, when he was sent home on sick 
leave for an indefinite period. He rejoined the company at Marshfield, 
Webster County, Missouri, and on the 1st of July, 1862, was again placed 
on detached service as Assistant Provost Marshal, District of Southwest 
Missouri, by Brigadier General E. B. Brown. By this, under' existing 
orders, it meant a permanent divorce from the company, as such officers 
became staff officers of the commanding general. It became his duty to 
enroll and organize the state militia into companies, try and dispose of 
the Confederate sympathizers. All were required to take the oath -of 
loyalty and give bond for the faithful discharge of the duties enjoined — 
that is, if thought necessary. Dr. Morgan deemed it necessary in every 
case where other punishment was not indicated, and bonds were put at 
from $1,500 to $10,000, and even higher if they had kinsman and friends 



972 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

able to make the bond good. This work was done in a manner that led 
the Confederates to believe that he was the second edition of Old John 
Brown, whose soul is supposed to be still marching on. While there the 
doctor's wife and little girl joined him, and remained with him until sick- 
ness compelled his resignation. December 15, 1862, he was ordered to 
report for duty to Colonel J. K. Mills, at Springfield, Missouri, Provost 
Marshal General of the Army of the Frontier, on the staff of Major 
General John M. Schofield. He was placed in charge of the exchange 
department, the duties of the same being — first, preparing rolls for pris- 
oners subject to exchange as prisoners of war ; second, the trial and 
disposition of the citizen prisoners for minor offences ; the preparation 
of charges against all prisoners to be tried by military commission ; 
charges and specifications, together with names of witnesses — a state 
ment of the kind and character of the evidence of each and every witness. 
At that date an enormous amount of property had been seized by the 
Army of the Frontier, such as horses, mules, cattle, corn, wheat, oats, bar- 
ic}', hay, houses, and in fact any and everything the army wanted, and 
vouchers given for the same, made "payable on proof of active loyalty."' 
An order was issued by General Schofield forbidding the payment of 
any such voucher, until the conditions were established before a certain 
officer, and Dr. Morgan was chosen as that one. The district included 
all of Southwest Missouri, the southeast part of Kansas, the northwest 
part of Arkansas and the Indian Territory. It was an enormous duty 
to perform. When active loyalty was proven he so certified ; when neu- 
trality was admitted or Confederate sympathy proven, he so certified on 
the face of the voucher. The object of the order was to prevent Con- 
federate claimants from appearing before a neighboring civil officer or 
a dough-faced military one and making proof. By this transaction he 
saved the government hundreds of thousands of dollars and ruined for- 
ever the hopes of many a poor Confederate farmer. The duty of giving 
freedmen free passes, promising protection, and in protecting freedmen's 
interests, was also enjoined. He participated in the last battle of Spring- 
field, on January 8, 1863, as aid to General Brown, and upon arriving at 
Springfield found one thousand men in prison, many without charges 
preferred, further than " Confederate " sympathizer, bushwhacker, and 
of Cockrell's men, Jackman's stable men, Hawthorn's men. All this had 
to be sifted and disposed of, along together with persons coming in 
almost daily, many of them being brought in by the Enrolled Militia. 
Nothing more definite about them than the ones he first found. By the 
3Lst day of July, 1863, he had nearly cleared the prison, when he was 
relieved from duty, and ordered to report to General Schofield, at St. 
Louis, for orders. He had been relieved by request of General Ben. 
Loan, commanding the Central District of Missouri, to be placed on 
duty in provost marshal's office, at Jefferson City. On reporting at St. 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 973 

Louis, he was informed that Major Marsh had made briefs of the request 
for his relief, he then being absent in person at Vicksburg, which had 
fallen into our possession. He was ordered to report every morning. 
In this situation he remained for about two weeks. It is said an idler's 
brain is the devil's work shop. Dr. M. consequently set about to secure 
the appointment as Superintendent of the Freedmen's Bureau for the 
Department of the West. He had everything arranged, recommenda- 
tions all in, and one by Captain James F. Dvvight, First Assistant Provost 
Marshal General of the Department. Everything was lovely, but unfor- 
tunately there was a bitter warfare going on politically between the 
Charcoals and Claybanks, regarding the treatment of Confederates and 
their negroes, Colonel Broadhead, the provost marshal general, belong- 
ing to the Claybank wing. He was somewhat blue one bright morning, 
when he read an article in the Missouri Republican, copied from the 
Missouri Statesman, in which Lieutenant Morgan, " the head of the free 
negro bureau of the tribe of Abraham," caught jessy for being too rigid 
in discipline, and in " giving other men's niggers free papers," &c. That 
article cooked the doctor's goose too brown. W. A. Pile received the 
appointment, and in one month wore the star of a brigadier general of 
colored troops. Being foiled, he appeared August 12, 1863, before the 
Medical Board of Examiners for the Department of the Mississippi, Pro- 
fessor J. T. Hodgen, president, and was examined and received a recom- 
mendation for assistant surgeon of colored troops, it being what he asked 
for. The next morning when he went to report, he met his colonel, 
George H. Hall, as brave and as good a man as God ever made. He 
insisted on the doctor's joining his company, at Trading Post, Kansas. 
The latter informed him of his desire, and was tendered by him the same 
place in his regiment. He did not feel it his privilege to refuse, and was 
ordered to his command. He held to his recommendation, had almost 
got the brigadier general fever, and wished to get with his colored 
brethren. As soon as he arrived at St. Joseph he was sick with his 
spirit desire, and came in on sick leave. Towards the last of August, 
1S63, he reported to General Thomas Ewing, at Kansas City, and was 
again placed on detached duty, as judge advocate of a military commis- 
sion. He was again taken sick, and being reduced to almost a skeleton, 
on the 1 2th of September, he offered his resignation on the surgeons' 
certificate, which was accepted. On arriving home his health improved, 
and the last of December, he moved back to Graham, in the house from 
which he had been driven two and a-half years before. During this 
time he forwarded his certificate, and was on the 14th of April, 1864, 
commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the Forty-third Regiment of 
colored troops, and ordered to leport for duty at Camp William Penn, 
near the city of Philadelphia. His wife had been taken with quick con- 
sumption, and on the 12th of May, 1864, died, leaving to Mr. M.'s care 



974 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

two little girls, one aged six years, and the baby, aged three months. 
This caused him to decline the commission, and ended his military 
record. Doctor Morgan then commenced the practice of medicine, and 
has continued it to the present time. On the 19th of January, 1865, he 
was married, near Burlington Junction, to Sophia Francis, elder daugh- 
ter of James R. and Cavilla F. Bradford. They have the following 
children: James B., born February 8, 1866, died October 24, 1866; 
Everett Leonidas, born October 4, 1867 ; Charles Augustus, born June 
7, 1S70; Edwin Adonijah, born February ro, 1873, and Elsie Francis, 
born May 17, 1876. The doctor's wife was born in Ross County, Ohio, 
October 22, 1845. He is and has, for many years, been a member of the 
M. E. Church. He belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows, and has 
filled all the stations in the subordinate lodge and encampment of Odd 
Fellows, and a member of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of 
Missouri, and has frequently been a representative to the Grand Lodge 
and Grand Encampment ; has also frequently been District Deputy 
Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Patriarch ; has held three 
different commissions as Special Deputy Grand Master, to illustrate 
secret work; was Grand Guardian of Grand Lodge in 1874. Doctor M. 
was engaged in the drug business, in Graham, from the fall of 1873 until 
the close of 1876. He was associate editor of the Nodaway Valley Spy 
and Graham Head Light. In 1868, the Democrats talked of resisting 
the disfranchising clause of the constitution, and he was commissioned 
by Governor T. C. Fletcher as captain of Morgan's Nodaway County 
Guards. 

J. MORTON, 

postmaster, Graham, and proprietor of book store, one of the most wor- 
thy citizens who ever made his home in Graham, was born in Oxford 
County, Maine, on the 21st day of May, 1831, and when at the age of six 
years, with his parents he moved to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, 
remaining for about one year. His father then died, and with his mother 
he returned to his native place, remaining until at the age of fifteen 
years. Having decided to learn the painter's trade, he bade adieu to 
relatives and friends and went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he appren- 
ticed himself for his chosen occupation. He continued to work for about 
three years, and for many years carried on the business for himself, hav- 
ing in his employ a number of hands. In the course of time he found 
that the business did not agree with him, and consequently he turned 
his attention to carpenter work. He resolved to move west and recu- 
perate his health, and so came to Graham in 1867, devoting his time for 
several years to the carpenter business. In 1873 he was appointed post- 
master of Graham, and has continued in the same position to the pres- 
ent time. Since residing in Graham Mr. Morton has always taken an 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. t 975 

active and lively interest in its welfare, and has been identified with its 
leading business enterprises. Many offices of trust have been given him, 
the duties of which he has endeavored to fulfil with great care and to 
the satisfaction of all. He was married to Clementine Osgood, Febru- 
ary 20, 1853. She was a native of Virginia, and a lady whose graces of 
mind and person, and whose active benevolence and kindly sympathies 
have endeared her to all who enjoy her acquaintance. Mr. Morton is a 
member of both the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Lodges and Encampment. 

G. D. MOWRY, 

dealer in fancy groceries, is a native of Washington County, Maryland,, 
where he was born on a farm on the 23d day of April, 1845. When at 
the age of ten years, with his parents, he moved to Mercer County, Illi- 
nois, and settled on a farm, assisting about home in the summers and 
attending the district schools during winters. When at the age of 
twenty-one he started out for himself as a farmer, and thus continued 
till 1870, when, disposing of his property, he moved to Nodaway County, 
and located some six miles northeast of Graham. There he devoted 
his time to improving his land and raising stock. In 1875, he discon- 
tinued the life of a farmer, and entered into the mercantile business at 
Graham, where he is now doing a flourishing trade, and is closely iden- 
tified with the interests of that town. He is a member of both the 
Masonic and the A. O. U. W. Lodges. Mr. Mowry was united in mar- 
riage on the 23d day of December, 1865, to Miss Rachel A. Long, a 
native of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. She was born on the 17th 
day of January, 1849, and, in 1854, moved with her parents to Mercer 
County, Illinois. They have had eight children : Eva M., Lena E. r 
Maud P., Daniel N., Fred, Otto and Francis, living, and Otho, deceased. 

C. M. MOWRY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3. The subject of this sketch is a native 
of Washington, Maryland, and was born on the 15th day of January, 1847- 
With his parents he moved to Mercer County, Illinois, in 1855, settling 
on a farm, and there he spent his boyhood days and received a good 
common school education. Starting out in life for himself, in 1870 he 
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, purchasing his present farm. By 
making improvements on the place he now has it in a high state of culti- 
vation. Mr. Mowry was married October 6, 1874, to Miss Belle Trego, 
a native of Rock Island County, Illinois, born March 1, 1854. They have 
two children: Mary Belle, born November 2, 1875, and Charles A., born 
September 23, 1878. They are members of the German Church. 



976 'BIOGRAPHICAL. 

A. W. MUTH, 

farmer and carpenter, section 11, was born in Shelby County, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 2d of May, 1838. He was a. son of George and Mary 
Muth, and with them moved to Hancock County, Indiana, in 1839. He 
spent his boyhood days and received his education in Indiana. In 
1855 he attended Hartsville University at Hartsville, Indiana. He then 
worked at the carpenters' trade in connection with farming till 1862, 
when he enlisted in company B, 79th regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River and 
.many others. He was discharged for disability in 1863, after which he 
returned to his home in Indiana, and in 1869 moved to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, settling near Graham. In 1870, he went to Republic County, 
Kansas, and in 1 87 t returned to Nodaway County, Missouri, and located 
one mile south of Graham. His farm consists of over "JJ acres of well 
improved land. He is one of the largest contractors in the southern 
part of Nodaway County. Mr. Muth was married on the 27th of Octo- 
ber, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Conner, a native of Butler County, Ohio. 
She was born December 5, 1843, and with her parents moved to Han- 
cock County, Indiana, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Muth are members of the M. 
E. Church. They have one adopted child, Lulu Belle, born in 1876. 

JOHN L. OGLE, 

wagon manufacturer and inventor of the " Ogle & Kenned)' Self-Acting 
Gate," is a native of Grundy County, Missouri, and was born on the 22d 
of August, 1857, being the son of Brantly and Fannie (Smith) Ogle. 
The former was a native of Tennessee, born in 1819, while his mother 
was a native of Kentucky. John spent his boyhood and received his 
education in his native county. He began the trade of wagonmaker 
with William Williamson, at Graham, in 1879, and opened a shop of his 
own during the same year. In January, 1882, he moved to Maitland. 
His patent gate is one of the most desirable gates that could be placed 
on a farm. Simple, cheap and durable, it can be operated by a small 
child. The firm is worthy of their success. 

JOHN C. PALMER, 

farmer and butcher, was born in Clinton Count)', Missouri, on the 3d day 
of January, 1846, and with his parents moved to Nodaway County, Mis- 
souri, in 1856. His father, Martin Palmer, was a son of James and Eliz- 
abeth (Hardrick) Palmer, and was a native of Clinton Count} 7 , Ohio, born 
March, 17, 1816. He moved with his parents to Clinton County, Mis- 
souri, in 1839, settling near Haynesville. February 6, 1842, he was mar- 



hughes township. 977 

ried to Miss E. Crouch, of Cumberland County, Ky., born Jan. 1, 1824. 
She was a daughter of Jesse and Mahala (Hays) Crouch, who were both 
natives of Cumberland County, Kentucky. After being married, Mr. and 
Mrs. Crouch settled in that county, and in 1830 Mr. C. died. The mother 
was married the second time to Alvin T. Howell, and in 1839 came to 
Clinton County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. James Palmer came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, in 1856, and settled near Graham. Mrs. Palmer 
died December 8, 1876. John C. commenced business life for himself 
when at the age of twenty-one years, as a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Company M, Ninth Missouri Cavalry, and devoted his time of serv- 
ice in fighting bushwhackers. He was captured by General Price in 1863, 
paroled and was sent to St. Louis, where he was exchanged in 1864. 
He was mustered out on the 15th of July, 1865, and received his dis- 
charge at St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. P. then returned to his home in 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and continued the occupation of farmer. He 
was married on the 13th of January, 1867, to Miss Dora Shelton, a native 
of Jasper County, Missouri, born on the 17th of February, 1850, she being 
the daughter of James M. and C. H. (Murphy) Shelton, and niece of Ex- 
Governor Murphy, of Arkansas. The family of Mr. and Mrs. P. consists 
of: Martin S., born January 9, 1870; C. H., born November 12, 1872; 
Cecil C, born December 17, 1873; Alta M., born December 25, 1875, and 
John C, born December 12, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. P. are both church 
members. 

GEORGE H PETERSON, 

farmer and live stock dealer, was born on the 18th day of September, 
1845, on a farm, near Williamsburg Clermont County, Ohio. He spent 
his boyhood clays and received a good education in his native county ; 
and, when at the age of nineteen years (in the spring of 1865), he went 
to Colorado, remaining about nine years in hunting, fishing and mining. 
During the last year he devoted his time to live stock interests. In 1875 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, with a drove of Colorado cattle, 
being on the road some nine weeks. He settled one mile west of Gra- 
ham, gave his attention to butchering and speculating, and in March, 
1876, entered into partnership with William H. Maurer, the firm being 
styled Maurer & Peterson. They are now doing an immense business 
in live stock, often making shipments by the train loads. Their farm 
consists of some 900 acres of improved land, bordering along the Noda- 
way River. Mr. Peterson was united in marriage on the iithday of 
April, 1873, to Miss Christy A. Maurer, a native of Clarke County, Indi- 
ana, born on the 30th day of August, 1849. By this union they have five 
children: Harvey E., born March 27, 1874; Mary P. and Manorah 
(twins), born February 19, 1876; Frances O., born October 9, 1878 ; and 
Leroy, born March io, 1881. 

fi2 



978 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JOHN ROBERTS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 17, is a native of Pike County, Ohio,, 
where he was born on the 24th day of February, 1837. He spent his 
boyhood days and received a good common school education in his native 
county, and, in 1862, enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Light Artillery,, 
under Charles C. Ailshien. He participated in the battles of Horse's 
Gap, Mission Ridge, Nashville and Chamberlain Gap, being mustered 
out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 3, 1865. He then returned to his 
home, in Pike County, Ohio, and continued farming till 1877, when he 
rented his farm and went to Andrew County, Missouri. There he was 
engaged in tilling the soil one year, after which he purchased his pres- 
ent place, in Nodaway County. It is now one of the best and as near a 
model farm as there is in that section of the country. Mr. R. was mar- 
ried in April, 1861, to Miss Malissa N. Joy, a native of Morgan County, 
Ohio. With her parents she moved to Andrew County, Missouri, in 
1863. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have one adopted child. They are both 
church members. 

M. M. RHOADES, 

a leading physician and surgeon of Graham, was born in Cambridge*' 
Saline County, Missouri, on January II, 1849, being the eldest son 
by a second marriage of George Rhoades, who was a pioneer of Saline 
County, having settled there on a farm in 1826. He was a native of 
Virginia, and is stili living. The Doctor's youth was spent on a farm, 
and he received the advantages of a good school education. In 1858 he 
entered college ^t Mount Pleasant, completing his junior course in 1861. 
He then enlisted in the Confederate army, and did service under General 
Price ; was taken prisoner and confined at Alton, Illinois, for nine 
months, and after being exchanged he re-enlisted in the Ninth Missouri 
Infantry under General Frost. He participated in the battles of Little 
Rock, Jenkins' Ferry, Pleasant Hill and at Shreveport. In 1865 he 
guarded the quartermaster's stores until the government could take 
charge, then went to St. Louis and was discharged, after which he 
returned to Cambridge, Missouri. Having a desire to follow the prac- 
tice of medicine, he began its study with Dr. A. M. Powell, of that 
place, and devoted three years to study and attending lectures, gradua- 
ting in 1868 at the St. Louis (now the Polk) Medical College. Upon 
returning to Cambridge he began the practice of his profession, and 
continued there until 1870, when he moved to Bigelow, Holt County,. 
Missouri, and practiced until 1871. Dr. Rhoades then settled in Graham; 
and engaged in general practice, but makes a specialty of surgery, for 
which his experience has well qualified him. Dr. R. is a man of acknowl- 
edged ability as a physician, and his services as such are recognized by a 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 979 

host of appreciating friends. He was married September 12, 1872, to Miss 
Mary T. Bond, a native of Graham, born July 1, 1854. Dr. R. is a Bap- 
tist, and his wife a member of the Methodist Church. They have three 
children : Ralph, Pierre and an infant. They have lost two children : 
Guy, who died January 12, 1877, and Carl, who died July 26, 1877. 

B. W. ROSS, 

physician and surgeon, though young in years, deserves to be classed 
with the old practitioners of Nodaway County. He is a native of Bain- 
bridge, Ross County, Ohio, and was born September 22, 1852. He 
enjoyed the best advantages for an education that Ohio could afford, 
and having always had a taste for the medical profession, in 1871, he 
commenced reading with Dr. Hughey, of Bainbridge, and continued 
under his tutorship for one year, when, on account of poor health, he was 
obliged to abandon his studies. Believing that the western climate 
would be beneficial, he came to Holt County, Missouri, in 1874, his 
parents having moved to that county some two years previous. While 
residing with his parents, and assisting on the farm, he regained his 
health, and resumed the study of medicine. He attended lectures in 
1879-80, and graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, of Keokuk, 
Iowa. In 1880, he began the practice of his profession at Mound City, 
Holt County, Missouri, and remained there until the spring of 1881, 
when he came to Graham, and immediately engaged in following his 
chosen profession. This has now become large and lucrative. His 
studious habits and close attention to his calling, combined with excel- 
lent work, have placed him in the front rank among members of his 
profession. The doctor is a member of Lodge No. 189, of the I. O. O. F., 
of Graham. He was united in marriage on the 6th of January, 1881, to 
Miss Mary E. Harmon, the daughter of Jacob Harmon, a native of Brown 
County, Kansas, born on the 4th day of March, 1858. 

WILLIAM A. SEWELL, 

a large farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Athens County, Ohio, 
having been born on the 27th of February, 1833. He was the second 
son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Blackwood) Sewell, who were natives 
of Ohio. He received his education in his native state, and was reared 
as a farmer, and when he became of age started out as such. By his 
practical experience he has been very successful. In 1864 he moved to 
Andrew County, Missouri, remaining till November, of the same year, 
when he purchased his present farm, consisting of 212 acres of finely 
improved land situated some three miles north of Graham. He has a 
fine dwelling and barn and all necessary out-buildings. Mr. Sewell was 



980 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

united in marriage on the 26th day of October, 1855, to Miss Lydia 
Taylor, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, born March 10, 1834. She 
died December n, 1872, leaving eight children: Phebe E., John H., 
Abner W., Isaac N., Frank L., Milton, Mary S., and Martha R. Mrs. S. 
was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. S. was married the second 
time on the 3d day of April, 1873, to Miss Amanda A. Warren, a native 
of Grundy County, Missouri, born June 17, 1854, and by this union they 
have three children, Guy, Orin, and Claude, living, and Albertha, who 
died April 12, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. S. are both members of the Baptist 
Church. They also belong to the Patrons of Husbandry Lodge, No. 
131. Mr. S. is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

A. C. SNYDER, 

of the firm of A. C. Snyder & Co., dealers in general merchandise, is 
among the prominent business men of Graham. He was born at Man- 
chester, Baltimore County, Maryland, on the 5th day of April, 1850, and 
passed his boyhood days and was thoroughly educated at his native 
place. After leaving school he spent the next three years of his life as 
a painter. In 187 1, being obliged to wend his way westward in hopes of 
restoring his health, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled 
in Graham. The change had the desired effect, and he continued his 
former occupation for some two years, when he entered the firm of John 
Shmidt, merchant, with whom he remained about three years, the firm 
having changed hands. Mr. S. took up his former business, and worked 
diligently till July 1, 1880, when he became associated with G. E. Baublits, 
and again began the mercantile life under the firm name of A. C. Snyder 
& Co. He has, that disposition and temperament which renders him 
amiable, social, honorable and humane, qualities which insure the respect 
and good will of all friends and neighbors. Mr. S. is sympathetic, benev- 
olent and conscientious in his intercourse with men. As a citizen and 
business man he is respected by all who know him. He is a member of 
Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F., and a member of the Knights of 
Pythias. Mr. S. was married on the 16th day of December, 1875, to Miss 
Ellen M. Black, a native of Linn County, Iowa. They have one child : 
Lois Frae, born on the 12th day of May, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder 
are both church members. 

J. S. SPENCER, 

dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, was born on a farm in 
Morrow County, Ohio, on the 13th day of October, 1850, being the eld- 
est son of Henry and Mary Spencer. With them he moved to Noble 
County, Indiana, in 1861, and settled on a farm, where he remained till 



HUGHES TOWNSHIP. 98 1 

1867, then coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, where he located two 
miles north of Graham, on what is known as the Russell farm. In his 
youth he received a good common school education, and when at the 
age of twenty, began business for himself as an agriculturist, thus con- 
tinuing till 1879, when he became the junior member of the firm now 
known as Paschal'& Spencer. Upright in all his dealings, Mr. S. has 
secured the esteem of those with whom he has had to do. He is cordial 
in manners, and his social qualities give him pre-eminent fitness to pre- 
side over his business in a successful manner. He was united in mar- 
riage on the 1st day of March, 1871, to Miss Sophia Paschal, a native of 
Pulaski County, Kentucky, born in 1844. By this union they have four 
children: Emma E., Gilbert G., Maude E., and Blanche. Mr. S. is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. Mrs. S. is a member of the Christian 
Church. 

H. F. STARKS, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 7. The subject of this sketch is a 
native of Germany, where he was born on the 15th day of June, 1850. 
When at the age of five years, he came to America with his parents, 
and settled in Waukesha, Wisconsin, his mother dying in 1856. H. F. 
spent his boyhood days and received his education in Wisconsin, and, 
in 1869, with his father, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, set- 
tling in Hughes Township. Time has proved his remarkable success ; 
through all the recent years of panic and financial revolutions, his com- t 
mercial ship neither tacked to the right nor left, nor went backward, but 
straight on, and to-day he stands among the best business men of Hughes 
Township. Mr. Starks was united in marriage on the 4th day of April, 
1875, to Miss Marian D. Moffitt, a native of Indiana, born February 7, 
1852. With her parents she moved to Nebraska City, in [858, and in 
1872, settled in Nodaway County, Missouri. By this union they have 
a family consisting of two children, Leslie, born May 7, 1876, and Maude, 
born July 16, 1878. Mr. Starks' farm consists of 320 acres of finely 
improved land, under fence and well watered. 

J. C. SWANK, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, is the second son of Cornelius and 
Swank, and was born on the 15th day of February, 1850, in Putnam 
County, Indiana. When at the age of seventeen years, with his parents, 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled where he now resides. 
In the spring of 1865 he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty- 
fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged May 24, 1865. 
Mr. Swank was united in marriage on the 26th of November, 1873, to 
Miss Mira M. McRoberts, an estimable lady, a native of Polk County, 



982 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Iowa She was born on the 28th day of April, 1849. By this union they 
have three children : Robert Harlan, Gertrude B. and Nellie C. Mr. 
Swank's farm- consists of eighty acres of improved land. 

FRANK H. TURNURE, 

wagon maker and carpenter, was born in Boone County, Illinois, in 1854, 
and was a son of C. W. and Emily (Compton) Turnure. The former, a 
native of New York, was born in 1827, and died July 12, 1880. His 
mother was born in Elmira, New York, in 1832, and is still living at 
Graham. They were married in 1853, and then settled in Boone County, 
Illinois, where they remained till 1863, when they moved to Mitchell 
County, Iowa. They came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1865, and 
settled near Bridgewater. In 1871, they located in Maryville, and there 
Mr. T. did a mechandising business. He was afterwards in the hotel 
business, and in 1877, moved to Graham. Here he died, leaving a wife 
and seven children living : Frank, Bell, Emma, Jennie, Fred, Florence, 
Dallas. One was deceased, Amelia. After the death of his father, 
Frank, as the eldest child, assumed the care of the family. Being a 
good mechanic, and surrounded by friends, his efforts have been crowned 
with success. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 202. His 
mother belongs to the Baptist Church. 

SOLON TWADDELL, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 22, is a native of Jefferson County, Indi- 
ana, and was born on the 1st of April, 1849, being the son of Eben and 
Mary Twaddell. His parents died when he was but four years old, and 
he was raised by William Sanford. In 1861 he went to live with one 
Mr. Washburn. He started out in life for himself when at the age of 
eighteen years, and in 1865 took a trip to California, spending some 
four years in that state and devoting his time to farming and the lumber 
business. In 1879 Mr. T. returned to the states, and in 188 1 came to 
Nodaway County, Missouri. On the 24th day of August, 1 881, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Mast, a native of Nodaway County, 
Missouri, born on the 7th of March, i860. She and her husband live 
with her father, Noah Mast, making his home pleasant and comfortable. 
Mr. Mast is a pioneer of Nodaway County, having settled here in 1843. 

J. W. VANLANINGHAM, 

of the firm of Taylor Bros. & Co., dealers in general merchandise, is a 
native of Marion County, Indiana, where he was born on the 15th of 
December, 185 1. In 1859 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, with 
his father, Dr. J. C. Taylor, and located in Forest City, Holt County, in 



Hughes township. 983 

i860, coming to Graham in 1878. Mr. V. received a good common school 
education and was admitted as a junior member of the above mentioned 
firm in 1881. He was married on the 15th day of April, 1876, to Miss 
Louisa Williams, a native of Pike County, Ohio, born on the 26th day of 
August, 1853. She came with her parents to Missouri in 1869. They 
have two children: Lettie M., and Mary E. Mr. V. is an excellent bus- 
iness man, and although but a short time in his present position, is bound 
to be successful. 

B. F. WHIPP, 

farmer and stock feeder, section 22, is a native of Menard County, Illi- 
nois, and was born on the 20th of March, 1840. He spent his boyhood 
days and received a good education in his native state, and began his 
mercantile life at Sweetwater, Illinois, when at the age of fourteen 
years. He clerked for an uncle till he was seventeen years old, then 
carried on business for himself, and thus continued till 1871, when he 
sold out and moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, purchasing 320 acres 
of land, and devoting his time to the live stock interest. During nine 
months of the year 1875 he was engaged in the mercantile business at 
Graham, although his chief interests were at the farm. His reputation 
as a successful agriculturalist, stock raiser and feeder may be inferred 
irom the success which has attended his career. " Mr. W. has manifested 
a commendable public spiritedness, and has proved himself a man ot 
good, sound judgment, and of large practical experience. His neigh- 
bors and those who have dealings with him find a man honest in busi- 
ness, fair in transactions, social in his relations and benevolent in his 
disposition. He is now owner of some 900 acres of finely improved 
land under a high state of cultivation, with an excellent residence and 
out buildings. Mr. Whipp was married on the 3d day of January, 1861, 
to Miss Lucy Calaway, a native of Menard County, Illinois, born on the 
30th of March, 1843. Their family consits of nine children : Ella M., 
Flora D., John F., Sallie C, Ida M., Carrie R., Lizzie J., Bertha and 
Ernest living, and William deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Whipp and the 
three elder children are church members. 

WILLIAM G. WILSON, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 32, is a native of Bath County, Ken- 
tucky, and was born on a farm the 9th day of March, 1847, being the 
third son of M. and Mary (Whalen) Wilson, natives of the same county. 
William spent his youth and received his education in his native county, 
and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Kentucky Regiment, and 
participated in the battles of Mission Ridge and Chickasaw Mountains. 
He was under John H. Morgan's command, and also under General 



984 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Johnston while resisting General Sherman's march to the sea. His 
division was an escort to Jefferson Davis in his attempt to escape the 
United States forces. His regiment surrendered at Petersburg, Georgia, 
and took the oath at Nashville, Tennessee. Returning to the old home- 
stead, he farmed some three years, then sold out in 1868, and moved to 
Cass County, Missouri, where he remained some two years. In 1871 he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled in Hughes Township, 
about five miles south of Graham. His farm consists of 560 acres of well 
improved land and well watered. He also has a ranche in Coffee County, 
Kansas, with a large herd of cattle. Mr. Wilson was married on the 
17th of January, 1872, to Miss Lorretta Mcllvane, a native of Mason 
County, Kentucky, born on the 21st of May, 1848. Mr. W. is a Mason, 
of Newton Lodge, No. 286. Their family consists of four children : 
James A., John M., Mary and Lula. Mrs. Wilson is a church member. 

SAMUEL ZAUCKER. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born 
on the 21st day of April, 1841. He spent his boyhood days and received 
a good common school education in his native state. In 1862, he 
enlisted in Company G, Fourth Maryland Volunteer Infantry, and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the battle of 
the Wilderness, receiving a wound in the right shoulder on the 5th day 
of February, 1865. He was mustered out at Baltimore City in May, 
1865, returned to his home, and, in the spring of 1866, came to Noda- 
way County, Missouri, settling in Graham. In 1868, Mr. Z. took a trip 
through Arkansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory, then returned to 
Graham, and remained a few months, after which he went to Denver, 
Colorado. There he prospected for some months, then took up his 
abode in the Black Hills, and from there, by pony express, moved to 
Yankton, Dakota Territory, and thence to Onawa, Monona County, 
Iowa. After remaining one year, in 1869, he went east to his native 
place in Maryland, his father having died, and spent one year in settling 
the estate. Mr. Zaucker was married in November, 1870, to Miss Lydia 
A. Snyder, a native of Maryland. They returned to Graham, Nodaway 
County, Missouri, where Mr. Z. devoted his time as a contractor. In 
1872, he procured machinery for the purpose of boring wells of any size. 
In this undertaking he has been successful. His family consists of Ada 
L., Harvey M. and Effa, living, and Daniel H., deceased. Mr. Z. is a 
member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, of the I. O. O. F. 



<^M]M^ 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 



3rs*»se;£ 



DAVID A. ALKIRE, 

farmer and wool grower, section 29, owns 806 acres of land. He was 
born in Menard County, Illinois, August 5, 1825, and was raised a far- 
mer, receiving a good education. He taught school, and has been 
engaged in merchandising, dealing in stock, and in later years he has 
been engaged in farming and making a specialty of wool growing and 
raising fine wool sheep. In 1876 he came to this county, bought his 
large farm, and has added many very valuable improvements. His 
flock of sheep has numbered as high as 1,500. He has reduced his flock 
now to 600, by starting his sons in the wool business. He is one of the 
progressive farmers of the county. He has a large, intelligent and 
industrious family of children following in the footsteps of their father. 
He married Miss Ann Eldridge in 1852. They have seven children : 
Charles C, Benjamin, Chauncey, Lydia, William, Timothy, and Katie. 
Mrs. A. died April 11, 1867. He married for his second wife Miss Mary 
C. West, in Illinois, October 13, 1867. They have six children by this 
union : Callie, Nannie, John, Milern, Lillie and Lizzie. He is an active 
member and liberal supporter of the Christian Church. 

ARTHUR ANDREWS, 

farmer and surveyor, owns 160 acres of land on section 32. He was born 
in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and came to this state in 1867, 
settling on the farm he now occupies. He received a liberal education 
in the best schools in his native count}', and made the study of surveying 
a specialty, thereby becoming a practical surveyor since when he was 
twenty years old. He has devoted much time to this occupation, and 
for five years was the deputy county surveyor. He has a good farm, well 
improved, with good orchard. He moved to Maryville when he was 
appointed deputy surveyor, in 1869, and while there he was elected jus- 
tice of the peace, which office he held for three years. He lived there 
eight years, and then returned to his farm. Mr. A. is a Presbyterian and 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Mary E.Jackson, 
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1857. She died in 1875. February 15, 
1877, he was married to Miss Mary Whirch, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. 



'986 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

They have one child, Arthur C, born November 21, 1877. The great- 
grandfather, grandfather, father, himself and son, five generations, have 
had the name of Arthur. His father was one of the leading men of his 
county. He was a member of the legislature for several terms, county 
surveyor for sixteen years, and justice of the peace for forty years. 
When he declined it longer on account of old age, his son, Arthur, the 
subject of this sketch, was appointed in his place, receiving all the votes 
polled for the office. Benjamin Whirch, father of Mrs. Andrews, was 
born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March 4, 1816, and remained there 
until 1866, when he came to Iowa, where he remained ten years. He 
has spent his life in the milling business, and in the building of mills. 
In 1874, he located in Missouri, and made Maryville his home for two 
years. He then came to live with Mr. Andrews. His wife was Miss 
Diana Salter, of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, whom he married in 1845. 
Their only child is Mrs. Andrews. Mr. W. is a man of remarkable 
•energy, will and endurance. On one occasion he had a contract in flour 
to fill. The millers being sick, the whole work came upon him. He run 
the mill nine days without sleep, grinding and packing 200 barrels of 
flour, filling the contract. Mr. Andrews has been to Colorado, engaged 
in mining, and has now an interest in several good mines. 

HENRY BRIDGFORD, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 24, «is the owner of 160 acres of land. He 
was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 22, 1840, and was raised on a 
farm, receiving a good common school education. His father, John 
Bridgford, moved to Indiana in 1844, and to Rock Island County, Illi- 
nois, in 1849. There he bought a fine farm and made a good home for 
his children. In August, 1872, Henry enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company C, and was ordered to 
Louisville, Kentucky. In the battle of Resaca, May 15, 1864, he received 
a painful wound on his head. He passed through the Atlanta Campaign, 
was at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, and was with General Sherman in 
his march to the sea. He held the position of sergeant, and was a favor- 
ite with the men, respected by his superior officers, and was a faithful 
soldier. After the surrender of Johnson at Raleigh, North Carolina, he 
marched with his corps to Washington, District of Columbia, where they 
participated in the grand review. He was mustered out in Chicago, 
June 6, 1865. Mr. B. now receives a pension for his suffering from his 
wounds. He came to this county in 1874, bought his beautiful farm and 
is making some very fine improvements. He has a good residence and 
orchard and a beautiful grove. Mr. B. it one of the advanced farmers of 
the county, and raises and feeds the best of stock. He married Miss 
Josephine S. Jones of Rock Island Count} 7 , Illinois, September 24, 1874. 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 987 

They have one child, William Henry, born March 12, 1877. Mrs B.'s 
father was John W. Jones, who died in the army. Mr. Bridgford is a 
Republican and Universalist. 

LORENZO DOW BRIGGS, 

farmer, has 160 acres of land on section 31. He was born in Orange 
County, Vermont, in September, 1808. He received a good education 
at the Military Academy at Norwich, Vermont, and spent several years 
in teaching, making it a business until 1839. ^ n J 836-7 he taught at the 
Mt. Pleasant Seminary. He then embarked in the dry goods business 
in Jefferson Count)', New York. In 1859 ne s °ld out, and after living in 
Illinois for one year, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and bought 
a farm near Bridgewater, and in 1864 ne disposed of this, purchasing 
the farm he now occupies. He married Miss Ellen Steele in Windsor, 
Vermont, in September, 1838. They have four children : Oscar Solon, 
merchant in Maryville ; Silas Wright, a stock dealer in Omaha ; Julian 
A., a farmer in this township, and Ella A., who married Mr. James T. 
Denning, of this township. Mr. Briggs is an Episcopalian, and belongs 
to the Masonic fraternity. 

JACOB C. CLAYTON, 

farmer, section 36, was born in Newton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on 
the 19th of November, 1841, and was the son of Amos K. and Deborah 
C. Clayton, both natives of Pennsylvania. The former was a farmer, and 
Jacob passed his youth on the farm and attending school. In the year 
1869 he came to this county, and though finding nothing but prairie to 
cultivate, commenced the improvement of a farm. This now contains 
120 acres, and when contemplated improvements are completed, will be 
a valuable place. He is Republican in politics, and his religious prefer- 
ences are with the Society of Friends. On the 21st of March, 1865, 
Jacob C. Clayton was married to Phebe A. Brown, of Philadelphia, 
daughter of Thomas Brown, of that city. They have six children: 
Frank L., born April 22, 1866; Lizzie B., now nine years of age ; Harry 
T., seven years old ; Luella, five years old ; Anna, three years old, and 
Wilmer, two years old. Jacob's father, Amos Clayton, came here in 
1869 and improved a good farm of 160 acres. After remaining five years 
he returned to Pennsylvania to educate his children, expecting to again 
come to this county, but in March, 1881, he died, leaving five children : 
Samuel C, Jacob C, Joseph C, Anna and Phebe E. . His first wife had 
died in 1853. He was married the second time to Elizabeth Briggs, of 
Pennsylvania. They had three children : William B., Elwood and Harper. 



oSX BIOGRAPHICAL. 

JAMES M. CLISER, 

farmer, section 4, was born in Page County, Virginia, May 16, 1829, and 
came to Filmore, Andrew County, in 1847, with his father, who died 
October 19, 1847. The father bought a farm, made one payment, and 
the balance was left for James, the oldest son, to pay. He remained 
with his mother until he was twenty-six years old, paying for the farm 
and supporting the large family. After the father died he was obliged 
to work by the day. He bought eighty acres of the large farm he now 
owns in 1852, and moved on to it in 1855, and located 200 acres of it 
from the Government. Since then he has made additions until he now 
has 500 acres. When he left his mother and started for himself he had 
nothing, and has earned his large and fine improvements by his own 
industry. He lost $1,200 by the burning of a large barn and its con- 
tents. But not being of the material to be discouraged, he soon replaced 
his building. He has a good orchard, and everything about him denotes 
comfort. He belongs to the Christian Church, of which he is a very 
consistent member. He has been justice of the peace for many years, 
and is now township trustee. He served in the Missouri State militia 
for two years in Company M, Ninth Regiment, and received an honorable 
discharge from the government at the close of the war, and now has the 
satisfaction that he has left a record to his children that the stars and 
stripes were not defended by him in vain. He married Miss Louisa Best, 
of Andrew County, December 28, 1854. They had eleven children, seven 
of whom are now living: David M., Mary C, Frances Leanna, Susan 
Dora, Cora Bell, Mattie Nora and Thomas Edgar ; Charles Price died 
May 13, 1 88 1, aged 18; John Howard, died August 27, 1865, aged four 
years ; Margaret died when eight months old, and an infant is also 
deceased. Mrs. C. died November 30, 1874. His second wife was Miss 
Mary Jane Hall, of Andrew County, whom he married May 24, 1877. 

SAMSON COLE, 

farmer, sections 28 and 29, was born in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1833, 
and when seven years old he went to Arkansas, with his father, Benja- 
min Cole, and embarked in the stock business. In 1853 he returned to 
Illinois, and after three years, he came to this county in 1856, and 
bought the farm where he now lives, containing 145 acres. He has a fine 
residence, excellent fruit, and a lot of five acres set to peach trees, 3,000 
in number. He intends to cultivate all kinds of fruit, and to raise fine 
stock. He is a thorough going farmer. Mr. Cole married Miss Nancy 
Cling, of Harrison Count}', Missouri, August 10, 1858. She was born in 
Huntingdon Count}-, Pennsylvania, and reared in Bureau County, Illi- 
nois. They have five children: Ida C, Bettie, Ollie J., Marietta, and 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 989 

George Washington. Mr. Cole was a strong Union man during the war, 
and enlisted twice in the United States service, but was rejected on 
account of a defect of one of his limbs. He was connected with the 
state militia, and did what little he could do. He and his family belong 
to the M. E. Church. 

GEORGE D. DAVIS, 

farmer, section 17, was born in Platte County, Missouri, August 6, 1 841 , 
and moved with his father, William Davis, to this township in 1841, 
settling on the farm now owned by Alfred Jones. He was among the 
earliest settlers of the county. Mr. Davis moved to Iowa in 185 1, and 
George D. grew up and received his schooling in that state. He went 
to Nebraska, and, after remaining for a while, he enlisted, in 1862, in the 
Second Nebraska Cavalry, for the defense against the Indians. He 
remained one year, and then received his discharge. In December, 
1864, he came to Mary vi lie, and engaged in the United States mail ser- 
vice, and also bought a livery stable, and continued in the mail service 
until the railroad was built, and in the livery business until 1873, when 
he moved down to his farm, consisting of 180 acres. He has a beautiful 
place, and everything around shows hard work, good taste and pros- 
perity. This has all been accomplished in eight years from raw prairie. 
Mr. D. married, in 1869, Miss Henrietta Prather, daughter of Isaac M. 
Prather, one of the pioneers of this township. They have three chil- 
dren living : Ruth, Lucy and George Paul. A twin brother of Ruth died 
when five years old. 

THOMAS COWLES ELLIS, M. D., 

farmer, is owner of 660 acres of land on sections 16, 17 and 5. He was 
born in Kentucky December 19, 1821, and in 1843 came to Buchanan 
County, Missouri. He received his education at the best schools in 
Kentucky and studied medicine in Buchanan County, practicing his pro- 
fession for some time in St. Joseph very successfully. He attended the 
Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, and graduated with honor in the 
winter of 1853. He was a practicing physician of Amazonia, Andrew 
County, for five years and in Savannah one year. In March, 1855, he 
came to White Cloud Township and bought the farm on which he now 
resides, and for thirty years has had a very large and successful practice. 
During this time he has improved a very valuable farm and erected 
good buildings. In his profession few have a better local reputation. 
In 1872 he received the nomination to the state legislature from 
this county and was defeated by only a (ew votes. In 1878 he was 
nominated by acclamation for the same position, and was elected by a 
large majority. He served the county faithfully and with acknowledged 



9QO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

ability. The Dr. is a self made man", commencing life poor with much 
to contend with, obtaining his profession by himself with years of hard 
study and toil. He has now retired from active practice, living in com- 
fort surrounded by a large circle of friends who know him for his worth 
as a man and Christian, and for the many acts of kindness shown dur- 
ing so many years of professional duty. He married Miss Louisa Pigg, 
of Buchannan County, Missouri, in 1847. She lived for two and a half 
years and then died. His second wife was Mrs. J. H. Forbes, to whom 
he was married in 1854. Her maiden name was Jennie H. Gentry, a 
niece of Col. Dick Gentry, of Boone County, and a daughter of Over- 
ton Gentry, of Kentucky. They have two sons : Leander E., a very 
successful farmer, living near his father, and Overton Gentry, who is now 
for the third year attending the State University. The Dr. was a Union 
man, and deserves great credit for his firm and consistent course during 
the war. Leander T. Ellis, the father of the Dr., was born in North 
Carolina in 1798, and moved to Kentucky in 1800, and came to this 
state in 1843. He lived in Buchanan County ten years, where he was 
sheriff. He came to this county in 1855, after living in Andrew County 
for two years. He settled near where the Dr. now lives, and at once 
became a leading man in the county. He was elected county judge for 
many years, and held that office during the war. He was a justice of 
the peace in Kentucky for twenty years. In his personal appearance he 
was tall and commanding, and a leader of his party. He married Miss 
Harriet Humber in Kentucky. Their children are: Dr. Thomas C; 
Mrs. Mary Key, wife of Thomas Key; Mrs. Amanda Dittemore, Wash- 
ington Territory ; Elizabeth is married and lives in Oregon ; Mrs. H. L. 
Grant died in Lexington, Missouri, in 1879; Mrs. Patience S. Blackmail,, 
of this township ; twins, Leander and William ; Albert T. is a druggist 
in Maryville, and Sarah Jane Ferguson is in California. Mrs. Ellis died 
in 1856. Mr. E. then married Mrs. Elizabeth S. Cross, of New York. 
They had three children : Alexander C, died at sixteen ; Charles A. and 
Alva C. Mr. Ellis died when seventy years of age. 

CYRUS L. GLASGOW, 

farmer and dealer in stock, section 20, was born in this county, October 
21, 1854, an d received his education at the district schools, and worked 
on the farm during his younger days. December 29, 1874, he married 
Miss Florella Lucas, of this township, (formerly of Ohio). They have 
three children: William Franklin, Mamie C , and Todd L. F. P. Glas- 
gow, the father of Cyrus died when the subject of this sketch was eigh- 
teen years old, leaving him to manage a large estate. Thus at that early 
age he continued the stock business, dealing extensively in horses and 
mules, and overseeing' the large farm. lie has one of the choice and 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 99I 

most valuable places in the county, containing 480 acres. Everything 
betokens thrift and prosperity. He commenced when he was fifteen 
years old to buy horses and stock, and has become an expert, making the 
business profitable. In company with Mr. M. F. Cooper he has just 
completed the Luona Hotel in Maryville, one of the most complete hotel 
buildings in Northwest Missouri. Franklin Glasgow was an early pion- 
eer of this county, and settled on the farm where his son now lives. He 
was born in Madison County, Kentucky, May 2, 1814, and came to this, 
county in 1845, with very limited means, but soon became a leading cit- 
izen. His chief business was dealing in stock — hogs, horses and mules,, 
and also in feeding the same. He married Miss Sarah Stevenson, in 
Kentucky, November 4, 1841. She was born July 14, 1820, in Kentucky.. 
There is only one son living, Cyrus L. They have lost three, one died 
in infancy, John died when six years old, Jesse died when five years old. 
Mr. Glasgow died March 10, 1873. He was a member of the first jury in- 
the county. Mrs. Cyrus L. Glasgow was born in Highland County,. 
Ohio, and came to this state in 1865, with her father William Lucas. 

HARVEY D. HALL, 

farmer, stock raiser and feeder, section 31, was born in Monroe County, 
Ohio, June 16, 1837, and received a limited education, learning the black- 
smith trade of his father. He worked at that business for several years,, 
and subsequently came to Indiana with his father at an early age. In 
1865, he came to Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri, with his brother 
John, and conducted a blacksmith shop for one year. They then came 
to this township, and bought a farm on the state road from Maryville to 
Savannah, built a house and shop, and commenced improving the farm, 
doing a very large blacksmithing business. In 1872, Harvey moved on 
to his present farm of 171 acres. He has built a fine residence, and set 
out a good orchard and grove, and his place is well stocked. Mr. H. 
married Miss Mary Jane Current, December 25, 1866. She was born 
and educated in Jay County, Indiana, and came to Andrew County in 
1865. She is a lady of taste and culture, and knows how to care for a 
home. They belong to the M. E. Church, and Mr. H. belongs to the 
Odd Fellows. He enlisted in the Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infan- 
try, in 1862, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was 
detailed as division blacksmith, and used to shoe Grant's and Sherman's 
horses. He was at the battles of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Corinth, 
Atlanta, and many others. He was a faithful soldier, and at the close 
of the war received an honorable discharge. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have 
taken Ethel Silvers (a neice) to rear and educate. She was born April 
9, 1870. 



992 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

HENRY M. HARMON, 

farmer, stock feeder, etc., is the owner of 800 acres of land, some of which 
is situated in Andrew County, 240 acres in Grant Township, and his res- 
idence and farm in White Cloud Township, on section 28. Mr. H. was 
born in Virginia, October 19, 1829, and came to St. Louis in 1837, remov- 
ing from there to Platte County in 1840, and to this county in 1853. He 
soon settled on the farm where he now resides. When Henry was a boy 
his father had a small farm, which was mortgaged. He went to Califor- 
nia for the purpose of raising money to pay it off, but soon died, and left 
the son to either pay the debts and support the family, or lose the farm. 
The country was new, and business and money for a boy hard to find, 
but his ambition knew no failure, so he bought leather and commenced 
making ox-whips for the California overland trade, and, with other 
small speculations, he saved money enough (some $300) to save the 
fort\ r acres. He then bought land and commenced to work with a will, 
raising stock, etc., adding to his original purchase from time to time until 
now he finds himself one of the heaviest land owners in the county. He 
has a fine farm, and everything about him to make the remainder of his 
days happy ones. It may be truly said that he has been the architect 
of his own fortune. He married Miss Susan Baker, of Andrew County, 
in 1854. They have eight children living: John W., Alonzo M., 
Luemma Jane, George A., Joseph D., Mary F., William E. and James 
Henry. One is deceased. Mr. H. is a member of the Odd Fellow's 
fraternity, and loves to follow its rules and regulations. 

ELI HARTLEY, 

farmer, section 18, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 7, 1835, and 
was a son of George and Nancy (West) Hartley, both natives of Ohio. 
The former was a blacksmith and miller, and Eli, though a natural 
mechanic, learned those trades, and also that of gunsmith, carpenter, 
etc. ; he has also built many bridges. He received a limited education, 
and was brought up mostly on a farm. In 1866, he came to Missouri, 
locating in Andrew County, and, in 1870, removed to this county, where 
he now owns 126 acres of land, well improved, though when he first 
came here it had not been at all cultivated. He erected his own house, 
which is a very good one, and has lately completed a large barn. There 
is upon the place an excellent orchard. In 1865, he was married to 
Louisa C. McClelland, daughter of William A. McClelland. She is an 
experienced school teacher, and is possessed of a highly cultured mind. 
They have a family of five children : George, born in 1866; William M., 
born in 1868 ; Daniel, born in 1872 ; Charles A., born in 1875, and Min- 
nie Cora, born in 1877. 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 993 

ALBERT A. HUMBER, 

farmer, and stock dealer, section 1, was born in Richmond, Virginia, 
February 26, 1806, and was raised at Crab Orchard, Kentucky, where he 
lived until he was eighteen years old. He then went to Mill Springs, 
remaining there until 1849, when he came to Savannah, Missouri, and 
there made his home for one year. In 1850 he located in White Cloud 
Township, and entered 1,000 acres of land, and has lived here since. 
He has improved two good farms, the one where he lives he has resided 
on ten years. This contains 400 acres. He has owned several farms, 
having bought and sold and dealt much in land, and has been one of 
the most extensive stock dealers in the county. In this he has been 
engaged for many years. He has one of the best stock and grain farms 
in the county, and also owns a fine stone quarry and a coal mine. In 
1880 there was $15,000 worth of stock fattened on his farm, mostly from 
his own corn crop. Mr. H. has been one of the most fortunate farmers 
in this neigborhood. He is a good specimen of a southern gentleman, 
and is a fine conversationalist. He was for the Union during the war, 
and his honor is never now questioned. He has been a member of the 
M. E. Church for fifty years, and his family also belong to that denomin- 
ation. Mr. Humber was married to Miss Margaret Ford, of Kentucky. 
They had four children : Hannah, the wife of Rev. H. Davis ; Ambrose 
W., married, and lives in Albany, Gentry County ; Samuel T., and 
Newmeris F., who are at home working the farm. Mrs. H. died July 28, 
1851. 

WILLIAM JONES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 19, is the owner of 520 acres of land. 
He was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, July 21, 1814, and, in 1825, 
moved to Rush County, Indiana, where his father bought and improved 
a farm and reared his family. In 1845, he came to Buchanan County, 
Missouri, and then cultivated a fine farm from the timber. In 1867, he 
came to this county and township, and bought his farm with some 
improvements made in 1841, but a portion of it was timber. He cleared 
and improved 100 acres of it himself, and now has seven miles of hedge 
fence, dividing his farm into twenty and thirty acre lots. His place is 
well improved. Mr. J. is now almost seventy years of age, but is as 
industrious as ever. He has a large fourteen-foot wind mill, for pump- 
ing water on his land, and a mill for feed attachment. Mr. Jones is 
called Uncle Billy, and is the friend of everybody. He is a member of 
the Advent Church, and opens his large house to the neighborhood to 
hear the gospel preached, as he understands it. He commenced life 
without a dollar, and his life has been both a moral, industrious and 
financial success. He has given his children, as they have married off, 



994 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

good farms. He married Miss Nancy P. Watson in Indiana, December 
16, 1837. They had five children, four of whom died. George A. is 
living. Mrs. Jones died March 3, 1850. His second wife was Catharine 
Ankrum, of Buchanan County, to whom he was married September 26, 
1850. They have four children : John W., Martha A., Daniel W. and 
Sarah S., who married Stephen L. Jones. 

ELIHU JONES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born in Rush County, Indiana, 
May 5, 1844, and came with his father to Buchanan County, Missouri, in 
1846, there buying a farm near Rushville. This he improved, and in 
1854 came to this county, settled in White Cloud Township, and pur- 
chased 170 acres of land. He also improved this place. In 1863 Elihu 
went to Idaho City, and after spending fifteen months there, he went to 
California, Oregon, etc., and returned by ocean, visiting Washington, 
New York, etc. After his return he bought 160 acres of the old Prather 
farm, mostly in an uncultivated state, and has made a fine farm of it, 
now still owning 160 acres. He is a good calculator and a hard working 
man, and keeps well posted in the important news of the day. Mr. Jones 
married Miss Martha Ann Canter, of Buchanan County, Missouri, Sep- 
tember 6, 1866. They have four children living: James C, Georgia A., 
Lucy and Oscar Samuel. Edward L. died October 19, 1872, and Bettie 
died in May, 188 1. They are members of the Baptist Church. James 
Jones, the father of Elihu, was born in Kentucky, in 18 17, and after- 
wards moved to Rush County, Indiana. He married Sidney Ann Hefflin, 
of Kentucky, in 1838. They had five children, three now living: Elihu, 
Alfred T. and Louis. Zerelda died in 1856, when 17 years old, and Dan- 
iel died in 1859, when 6 years old. Mr. Jones died September 6, 1862, 
and his wife November 6, 1862, just two months after her husband. 

ALFRED T. JONES, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, owns 127 acres of land. He was 
born in Rush County, Indiana, in 1846, and came to Missouri with his 
father in 1847. He married Miss Mary L. Canter, of Buchanan Count}-, 
Missouri, in 1868. They have two children : Anna L. and Robert. Mr. 
J. served in the Ninth Missouri Cavalry for eight months, when he was 
discharged on account of disability. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church, and a faithful supporter of every good word and work. His 
father, James Jones, was born in Kentucky, and was an excellent speci- 
men of Kentucky character. He was among the pioneers of the county. 
His three children have grown up to honor him, and are among the 
enterprising and substantial citizens of the community. Mr. and Mrs. 
James Jones were devoted members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 995 

JUDGE MARTIN LANDFATHER, 

farmer, section 8, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 15, 
1833, an d came to this contry in April, 1854, settling in Pennsylvania. 
He commenced work in the iron works in Lancaster, which he continued 
for three years, and in 1857 removed to Johnson County, Iowa. He was 
employed by one man for three years, and in the spring of i860 he came 
to this county and bought eighty acres of the farm where he now lives. 
He at present owns 160 acres. In 1861 he went into the state militia, 
and after a year, in August, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Missouri 
Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was ordered to Vicksburg and into 
Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama, and also gave Price a chase. He 
was mustered out in 1865, receiving an honorable discharge. Mr. L. 
returned to his farm in August, of the same year, and by his great indus- 
try and economy has gained a reputation of which any man should feel 
proud. He was elected county judge in 1873 and 1875, and was 
appointed by Governor Phelps for one year, thus serving the county for 
five years as one of its judiciaries. He is now township clerk and 
assessor, and fills the position with great acceptance. He received a 
fine education in his own country, and made himself thoroughly 
acquainted with our language, our books, institutions, and ways. Judge 
L. married Miss Mary Maffit, a native of Kentucky, September 7, 1865. 
They have four children : Thomas McKee, John Franklin, William 
Martin, and Samuel K. One child died in 1874. 

L. MILLER, 

• 
farmer and proprietor of the Melrose Herd, and breeder and dealer in 
Short Horn and Jersey cattle, Southdown and Cotswold sheep, and Berk- 
shire hogs, is the owner of 300 acres of land in section 29. Mr. Miller 
was born in Callaway County, Missouri, in 1832, and came to this county 
in 1859, here purchasing a farm. Farming was his business until 1S71, 
when he turned his attention to fine stock breeding. This he has made 
a special study and has spared no pains or means in selecting his stock 
from the best Kentucky importations, and from them he is breeding 
stock equal in quality, style, and approved strains to any bred elsewhere. 
This is true also of his sheep and hogs. His whole time is spent in buy- 
ing, selling and caring for his stock. His extensive acquaintance and 
integrity is sure proof that his representations are true. Mr. Miller has 
a portion of the old Prather place, noted as one of the first settled farms 
in the county. He has everything arranged for carrying on his busi- 
ness to advantage. He married Miss Lucy Jones, of Boone County, 
Missouri, in 1866. They have two children: Lena, aged fourteen, and 
Charley, aged twelve. 



99& BIOGRAPHICAL. 

THOMAS STITH MOOREMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, has 320 acres of land on section 5. He was born 
in Hardin County, Kentucky, May 27, 18 17, and received a limited edu- 
cation, being brought up on a farm. He remained there until April, 
1859, when he came to this state and bought his present farm, on which 
he has made great improvements. On coming here he brought with him 
money enough to purchase some 2,000 acres of land, and as his children 
grew up he gave them farms. He is a very active member of the M. E. 
Church, South. Mr. M. married Catharine Stith, of Breckenridge 
County, Kentucky, December 18, 1839. She was born January 4, 1818. 
They have seven children living : Cornelia, (wife of Madison Gilliam) ; 
Martha Elizabeth, (wife of George W. Turner); Mary Jane, (wife of 
William Gilliam) ; Lucy Catharine, (wife of James L. Key) ; Laura 
Frances, (now Mrs. J. P. Holloway); Jesse T., at school in Maryville, 
and Ella P., at home. William B. Jones, the father of Mrs. Mooreman, 
was born in Virginia, October 20, 1795. He married Miss Mary N. 
Stith, in Hardin County, Kentucky, June 10, 18 17. She was born in 
Virginia in 1802. They have six children : Catharine Mooreman, Phebe 
W. Jones, Dr. James W. Jones, of Fayetteville, Arkansas ; William R., 
of Arkansas ; Mrs. Mary A. Gilliam, and Theodore F., deputy circuit 
clerk of this county. Mr. Jones died November 22, 1880, in Maryville, 
where his wife now lives. They came tc this county in the spring of 
1865. He was a private banker and capitalist. 

JUDGE CHARLES M. MYERS, 

section 9, was born in Tennessee, December 2, 1832. He removed with 
his father to Jackson County, Missouri, in the fall of 1834, and occupied 
lands and houses left by the Mormons, near Independence. The senior 
Myers came to this county in the fall of 1841, and settled on the farm 
where his son now lives. In 1849, the fever for California was raging, 
and Charles M. started for the land of gold. He worked two years in 
the mines, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 
for a while. In 1861, he was employed as foreman in a large vineyard 
and nursery, thus continuing for three years, afterwards having charge 
of a large apiary. He also engaged in manufacturing wine for three 
years. Mr. M. then bought 160 acres of land and set out an orchard and 
vineyard, and conducted it until 1867, when he sold out and returned 
home, having been away eighteen years. On his return he went to work 
at his trade, building some of the best residences in the county, and 
some of the first put up in Barnard, and since that time he has been a 
useful and leading citizen in this community. In 1878, he was elected 
county judge, and was re-elected in 1880, and is discharging the duties 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 997 

of that responsible office with good judgment and satisfaction. He mar- 
ried Miss Sarah W. Cash in California, formerly of Indiana, in 1854. 
They have two children living : Mary Elizabeth, born in California, and 
Walter Everett. Eugene D. died, aged twenty years, March 10, 1876. 
Thomas C. died August 23, 1SS1, aged eighteen years. Judge Myers 
owns 160 acres of the old homestead. This is a fine, productive farm, 
and is well improved. He belongs to the Masons. Barnabas George 
Myers, his father, was born in Virginia in 1792, and was always a farmer. 
When he came to this township, he bought 340 acres of land, and was 
among the very first settlers in the county. He served faithfully in the 
war of 18 1 2, and received a pension until his death. He came to Mis- 
souri in 1834, and to this county in the fall of 1841. He married Miss 
Rebecca M. Benson, of Virginia, May 19, 18 19. They had eight chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living : Pamelia E. Bailey, Alvira E. Benson, 
Jane B. Alumbaugh and Charles M. Mrs. M. was born April 15, 1795, 
and died March 22, 1881. Mr. M. died April 16, 1876. He belonged to 
the Christian Church. Mrs. M. was a Methodist. 

ROBERT F. RICHARDSON, 

farmer, section 31, is the son of James Richardson, an agriculturist, and 
his wife, formerly Henrietta Loomis, both natives of Pennsylvania, and 
was born February 15, 1839, in Lancaster County, of that state. His 
youth was passed in working on a farm and attending school, he having 
received an excellent education, partly in an academy. During the war 
he was a member of the Ninetieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and 
served for three years, participating in the battles of Cedar River, second 
Bull Run and others. He was twice wounded, and by his gallantry as a 
soldier achieved an enviable record. In 1866 he married Lydia Longe- 
necker, of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joseph Longenecker. In 1869 
Mr. R. came to Missouri, locating in this county, and though not having 
much means when commencing, began the cultivation of a farm. He 
now has 160 acres, with surroundings which indicate taste and culture, 
there being upon the place many valuable improvements. He is ably 
assisted in his labor by his amiable companion. They have living with 
them a niece, Miss Sally L. Bowman. He is Democratic in politics and 
belongs to the Presbyterian Church. 

HERMAN RIPLEY, 

farmer, section 23, was born on the 17th of July, 1837, in Taylor, Cort- 
land County, New York, and was a son of Samuel and Polly (Grant) 
Ripley. The former a farmer by occupation, was born in New York and 
the latter in Freetown, Cortland County, of the same state. Herman 



998 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

passed his boyhood days and early manhood, in going to school and 
working on the farm. During the late war he became a member of the 
Seventy-sixth New York Infantry, Army of the Potomac, and went 
through all the campaigns, participating in many battles. He served for 
about three years, gaining a name as a soldier which does him credit. 
In 1869 he came to Missouri, locating in this county, and commenced 
making a farm. After having obtained a fair start, with a good house 
and comfortable surroundings, fire destroyed all his possessions save one 
chair. With pluck and energy characteristic of the owner, he again 
began, about six years ago. He now owns 160 acres of land, and has 
planted west of his dwelling, a grove of maple trees, five acres in extent, 
which for regularity and beauty, is equaled by few, and for which he 
receives $10 per year from the state. His wife has done much toward 
making their home attractive. Mr. Ripley was married in 1861 to Mary 
Elizabeth Brooks, of New York, daughter of Israel S. Brooks. They have 
three children: George V., aged sixteen; Addie N., aged fourteen, and 
William H., aged five. Mr. R. is Republican in politics and belongs to 
the Church of God. 

GILBERT ROSWELL, 

farmer, section 31, was born in Canada West, on the 31st of January, 
1840, and was a son of Joseph and Harriet (Earley) Roswell. The 
former was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Herkimer County, 
New York. Gilbert spent his youth in attending school and working on 
a farm. He received good educational advantages, and during the war 
he enlisted in the Third New York Regiment of Infantry, and served 
through the war in the army of the Potomac. He participated in the 
battles of Fort Fisher, Deep Bottom, and others of less note. After 
serving his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged. In 1865 
he came to Missouri, and in 1870 located in this county, where he now 
owns 160 acres of land. He is an industrious farmer, and is entitled to 
much credit for the improvements made about his place, having it well 
stocked, etc. Mr. Roswell was married October 27, 1867, to Rebecca J. 
Lankford, daughter of Thomas Lankford, in Daviess County, Missouri. 
They have two children : Sarah J., now twelve years of age, and Gilbert 
B., aged six years. He is Democratic in politics, and his religious 
preferences are with the Universalists. 

JAMES R. SILVERS, 

farmer, section 20, was born in Lee County, Virginia, on the 3d day of 
July, 1 83 1, and was a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Southern) Silvers, 
both natives of Virginia. The former was a farmer by occupation, and 
James passed his early youth in attending school and working on the 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. 999 

farm. During the war he became a member of the Eleventh Iowa Infan- 
try Volunteer Regiment, and served for one year, when he received an 
honorable discharge. In 1866 he came to Missouri, and in 1876 located 
in Nodaway County, where he now owns 180 acres of land. Mr. S. is a 
practical agriculturist, is the owner of a good farm, and upon it he keeps 
excellent improvements. This township has few better citizens. His 
marriage was to Eliza C. Shepler, of Logan County, Illinois, daughter of 
Henry B. Shepler. Their family consists of: Oscar J., Elgin C, D. M., 
Lancaster S., Ida May, James Willie, Ora C, Lottie Ellen and Ota A. 
One child, Sarah J., died when three years old. Oscar J. Silver is now 
taking a regular course of study at home, under the direction of the 
Chautauqua Literary Scientific Circle, a new institution which is gaining 
many friends in the educational world. Jacob Silvers, the father of 
James, moved on the farm which the latter now occupies, in 1867. He 
died in 1871, after having made many improvements upon it. Mr. S. is 
a Republican, and a member of the United Brethren Church. 

WILLIAM B. SHINABARGAR, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 
1823, and remained there for twenty-two years. In 1857 he came to this 
county, and few men have made a better selection and improved their 
time to a better advantage. His is one of the richest farms in this town- 
ship, and he has not been unmindful of setting out orchards, small fruits 
and vineyards, having all kinds of fruit in abundance. He owns a valua- 
ble farm of 240 acres. He commenced here with no means, and what he 
has is due to his hard work and good management. He married Miss 
Sarah Ann Butler, of Marshall County, Indiana, formerly of Ohio, in 1848, 
They have seven children : John B., Sarah M., William Allen, Martha 
Paulina, Mary A., Ida Bell and James Sherman. John married Lucy 
Wilkinson ; Sarah M. married P. Bowlin, Esq.; and Martha P. married J. 
D. Montgomery, of Maryville. Mr. S. is a respectable citizen, and is 
known by all as a true friend. They are members of the Baptist Church, 
and are liberal supporters of every benevolent enterprise. Mr. S. was a 
member of the state militia and a strong Union man during the war. 

SCOTT K. SNIVELY, 

merchant, farmer and stock dealer, is the owner of 240 acres of land near 
Arkoe, and also has a very large store in that place. He was born in 
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1845, and came to this 
county in 1867, buying 1,000 acres of land, a part of which he now owns. 
He built a fine residence and a large bank barn, and improved as good a 
farm as there is in the county. In the winter of 1873, his residence took 



IOOO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

fire from a defective flue, and was destroyed. Receiving a small insur- 
ance, he rebuilt the same year, and, in 1873, he bought 253 head of native 
cattle, but they proved to be Texan cattle with the Texan fever, which 
spread among the cattle of the neighborhood, and before he got out of 
it and paying for losses, etc., he lost $11,000 in eighteen months. He 
was engaged in dealing very largely in fine Merino, Cotswold and 
Oxfordshiredown sheep, and perhaps no one in the state had a better 
flock of pure blooded sheep. In 1880, he sold his sheep interests to the 
Penny Brothers, of this county. In July, 1881, he sold one of his farms, 
of 580 acres, for $14,500, cash. In June, 1881, he built his present large 
store, and filled it with a choice stock of goods, and is now doing a lucra- 
tive business. He is at present erecting a fine residence in Arkoe. In 
1 88 1, he was appointed postmaster of Arkoe. In 1872, he was elected by 
the Republicans to the legislature, representing the county with credit 
and ability. He received an excellent education in his youth, and gradu- 
ated from the Iron City Commercial College while he was recovering from 
a wound received at the battle of Chancellorsville. In August, 1863, he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and mus- 
tered out of service. After recovering sufficiently, he enlisted in the 
Thirteenth New York Cavalry. He was shipwrecked on the coast near 
Alexandria, Virginia, and was in many sharply contested skirmishes ; 
among others being Fisher's Hill and Piedmont, Virginia, where he 
received the gunshot wound which has so often been quoted by Surgeon 
General Barnes as being identical with that of President Garfield. He 
still carries the ball. Mr. Snively was married to Miss Jennie Irwin, of 
Greencastle, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1868. They have three children 
living : Melchi Irwin, Edith Vance and Scott Montgomery. Hugh 
Earle and Jane Gracie, are deceased. Mr. S. is a very successful busi- 
ness man. He has been an extensive dealer and shipper of stock, and is 
also feeding largely on his farm. 

ISAAC N. SWALLOW, 

farmer, is the owner of 180 acres of land in section 23. He was born in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1846, and in April, 1867, came to this county 
and bought the farm where he now lives. This he has improved and 
made a good home. His place is well located and improved. Mr. S. is 
a thorough farmer a man of enterprise, well informed, and a valuable 
citizen. He married Miss Eliza Jane Morehead, Hamilton County, Ohio, 
in 1867. They have four children: Victor V., Cynthia Etta, Annie 
Bertha, :\n(] Hubby. Mr. S. is an honored member of the M. E. Church. 
George Morehead, the brother-in-law of Mr. Swallow, lives with him. He 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. IOOI 

was from Hamilton County, Ohio, and by trade is a broom maker. He 
raises large quantities of broom corn, and in the winter season manu- 
factures his brooms. Thoroughly understanding his business, and man- 
ufacturing a superior article, he finds no trouble in selling the large quan- 
tity which he makes. He is an active business man and a good mechanic. 

JAMES SWANN, 

farmer, stock raiser and feeder, owns 373 acres of land on sections 26 
and 27 in this and Hughes Townships. He was born in England April 
30, 1836, and came to this country in 1846, and with his father settled in 
Missouri, where he received his education and start in life. When he 
was twenty-three years old he went to California, Oregon, Washington 
Territory and British Columbia, and with the exception of two years 
spent in California, &c, was in British Columbia from 1859 to 1872. He 
was engaged in the freighting business and buying and selling goods, 
and by hard work and saving his money, returned home with means 
sufficient to commence farming. Her.e he purchased a farm, and in 1873 
he was married to Miss Ann Winder, of Rock County, Wisconsin. They 
have three children : John, Mary and James Frederick. In October, 1874, 
he came to Nodaway County and moved upon his farm bought in 1868, 
it then being prairie. He built a small house, and now has one of the best 
improved farms in the township. At that time he commenced the rais- 
ing of stock and hogs, and after eight years he finds himself one of the 
largest stock raisers and feeders in the neighborhood, with as fine a new 
residence as there is on any farm in this part of the county. His place 
is divided into lots, and all have running water. Mr. S. has been the 
architect of his own fortune. He is a good financier and a respected 
neighbor. They are members of the M. E. Church, and contibute lib- 
erally towards its support. 

GEORGE S. TREGO, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 1, was born in Orion, Henry County, 
Illinois, May 24, 1842, and was the son of Alfred and Ann Trego, who 
were both natives of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The former was a 
physician and surgeon. George passed his youth on a farm, and in 
attending the common schools. In August, 1862, when not twenty-one 
years of age, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Illinois Infan- 
try for three years. He participated in numerous engagements, among 
which were the battles of Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, and was with 
Sherman on his march to the sea. He was once taken prisoner, but was 
paroled in a few days. In 1869 Mr. T. came to this state and settled 
in what is now Nodaway County. He owns eighty acres of land, and is 



T002 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

an energetic farmer of this township, having his place well improved 
and stocked. In November, 1873, he was married in this county to Miss 
Emily Riley, of Ohio, daughter of Alexander Riley. Their family con- 
sists of Clara B., born in September, 1874 ; Alice May, born January 20, 
1876, and Alva, born May 15, 1878. Mr.T. is Republican in politics, and 
liis religious views are with the Methodists. 

ALBERT ULMAN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 21, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, 
February 13, 1842, and was the son of Jacob Ulman, a blacksmith by 
occupation, and a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Frances 
(Houze) Ulman, of Maryland. Albert passed his youth in Holmes and 
Coshocton Counties of his native state, and received good educational 
advantages, having attended for a time the Spring Mountain Academy. 
When but eighteen years of age he enlisted in the Fifty-first Ohio Vol- 
unteer Regiment, and was connected with the Army of the Cumberland. 
He participated in the battles of Dobbins' Ferry, Stone River, (where he 
received a wound through his lower limb), Perryville, Buzzard's Roost, 
Chickamauga, (there receiving a slight injury), Lookout Mountain and 
Missionary Ridge, continuing the retreat with Hooker. He was next in 
the Ringold fight and then at the battle of Dalton, with Sherman, and at 
Resaca, participated in the famous series of battles at Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, then at Peach Tree Creek, where McPherson fell. His next engage- 
ment was at Atlanta and Jonesboro', and at Lovejoy's Station he received 
a severe gunshot wound in the left shoulder, the ball passing through 
the cavity of the chest and lodging in the upper lobe of the right lung, 
where it still remains, causing at times much pain. He now receives a 
pension on this account. He received an honorable discharge, by order 
•of General Hooker, after serving his full term of three and a-half years. 
This is a war record of which any one might well feel proud. After the 
Avar, or in 1868, he came here and was engaged in teaching many schools 
in this county for several years, thus enabling him in part to secure 
means to pay for his land and erect a small dwelling. March 19, 1872, 
he was married to Clarissa L. Denman, daughter of William Denman, of 
Morrow County, Ohio, born in New Jersey. Mr. Ulman and his wife 
•soon adapted themselves to circumstances surrounding early settlers in 
a new country, and by hard work has been fortunate enough to obtain 
120 acres of land. Upon this is a fine flock of sheep, a number of head 
•of cattle, horses and pure blooded Berkshire hogs. He is certainly an 
industrious man. Their family consists of Elo May, born September 14, 
1876: Frank Kadir, born July 8, 1879; an ^ Anna Frances, born January 
24, 1 88 1. Mr. U. is a Republican, and worships with the Presbyterians. 
He is a member of the A. O. U. W. 



WHITE CLOUD TOWNSHIP. IOO3 

JAMES VOGT, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 9, was born in Didorf, Province of Sax- 
ony, Prussia, August 21, 1840, and came to the United States in the 
spring of 1863. In 1866, he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and came to 
this county in 1867, settling in Graham, where he remained until 1878, 
when he came to White Cloud Township and bought his farm. He 
received a legal education in Prussia and in this country, and attended 
the Wolfville College, or Arcade College, in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, 
for three years, acquiring a thorough education. He was in the mercan- 
tile trade in Graham, with John Schmitz, for eight years, doing a large 
and successful business, and upon selling out he came to his farm, and 
has since been a very extensive stock dealer. His hog business amounts 
to $50,000 a year. He has the entire confidence of the community, as 
his word is considered as good as his note, and is never disputed. His 
great experience in handling stock renders his advice excellent. His 
farm, two and a-half miles from Barnard, containing 160 acres, is a fine 
place, with a large and convenient barn. He is a man of culture and 
reading, and well posted on governmental matters and the topics of the 
day. Mr. Vogt married Miss Martha E. Bohart, daughter of Peter 
Bohart, of this county, in March, 1873. They have three children : 
James C, Nancy May and George Francis. 

A. W. WALLACE, M. A., 

farmer, is the possessor of 180 acres of ' land on sections 20 and 30. He 
was born in Ireland, and was reared in Scotland, receiving a good edu- 
cation. In the spring of 185 1 he came to this country and settled in this 
county, where he bought and improved a farm and sold it. He after- 
ward purchased his present one, and improved it also. He has a fine 
orchard and various kinds of fruit. Mr. W. worked many years in a 
factory. He was married in October, 1849, to Miss Agnes Waugh, who 
was born in Ireland, but raised in Scotland. Of this union there are 
six children living: John Edward, Robert James, William Carson, Chris- 
topher Columbus, Grant, Mary Jane, and Nancy Elizabeth. Nancy E. 
married John Beecher ; Mary Jane married Morgan Turner ; Robert J. 
married Miss Stonehawker ; John married Mary Criss, of Andrew 
County. Mrs. Wallace died December 25, 1877. The children are 
members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. W. is a Scotch Presbyterian. 

CALEB B. WILSON, 

miller and farmer, section 2, was born in Orange County, North Caro- 
lina, in January, 1834, and the same year came to Clay County, Missouri. 
His father moved to Andrew County, in 1842, and bought a farm, living 



1004 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

upon it some eleven years, when he was killed by the kick of a horse. 
Caleb remained on the farm until 1874, when he came to this county and 
bought the Bridgewater mill, with other parties, and also purchased a 
farm. He has conducted them ever since that time. The mill was built 
by a Mr. Cock, in an early day, and perhaps was the first one in the 
in the county. Mr. Wilson commenced milling while a boy with a horse- 
power, and has the knowledge gained by long experience to make the 
best of flour, and has a reputation which reaches far and wide. He has 
a fine farm and a beautiful home, with abundance of fruit. He married 
Miss Susan O. Dobbs, of Indiana, in 1855. They have six children liv- 
ing : Martha Isabel, Sonora Agnes, Anna Lucy, Homer, Alveta Grace 
and Lena Pearl. Three sons are deceased : One, Roily, was killed by 
a horse when twelve years of age. Mr. W.'s mother lives in Nebraska, 
with her son William, and is seventy-eight years old. Ralph T. Wilson, 
his brother, was County Clerk of Andrew County, and died in 1866, 
leaving two children : Emelie Ettie, married Joseph P. Duncan, of 
Andrew County, and Robert B. The latter had an attack of spotted 
fever when he was four years old, which left him perfectly blind. He 
soon after lost his father and mother, and was left alone with his sister. 
In 1874, when he was sixteen years old, he went to the Blind Asylum at 
St. Louis, for six years, and to the Washington University for one year, 
and is now a well educated young man. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 

NELSON WILSON, 

farmer and retired merehant, has 130 acres of land in section 30. He 
was born in Clark County, Illinois, in 1840, and came to this state in 
1865, commencing farming with his father, Reason Wilson, near Mary- 
ville. In 1872 he engaged in trade in Bridgewater, and continued the 
business there and in Arkoe, until 188 1, when he sold out. He then 
moved on to his farm, which he is improving for a home. He married 
Miss Martha E. Gaskill, in this county, in 1869. They have five child- 
ren: Dora, Reason, Wesley, Theodore, and Jeannetta. He was post- 
master at Bridgewater and Arkoe, for nine years. Reason Wilson, his 
father was born in Kentucky in 1805, and came to Missouri in 1865, and 
settled on a farm near Maryville, where he died in 1878. He married 
Sarah Clapp in Illinois. She was born in South Carolina, her parents 
being German. Of this marriage there are now living: Lewis, Alexan- 
der, Clarinda, Harriet, Perry, Elizabeth, Sarah and Reason. Mrs. Wilson 
is now living with her son in Nebraska. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 

• — -»>-5 — <g» q t^ 'so— «8b"S<— — • 

A. C. BARBER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Adams County, Illinois, 
May 5, 1848, and is a son of William and Eliza (Hammond) Barber, who 
were natives of England. A. C. spent his boyhood days and received 
his education in his native state, and, in 1872, came to Nodaway County, 
Missouri, settling near where he now resides. He was married December 
2 3- l %77> to Miss Ann M. Cortin, a native of McDonough Couhty, Illi- 
nois. She is a daughter of Alonzo and Ann Maria (Hays) Cortin. The 
latter was born in McDonough County, Illinois, February 23, 1829, and 
died April 15, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have three children : John 
F., born September 24, 1878; Lillian, born January 11, 1879, and an 
infant, born in December, [881. They are members of the M. E. Church. 

WILLIAM H. BARBER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, is a native of Adams County, 
Illinois, and was born the 3d day of January, 1855, being the son of Wil- 
liam and Eliza (Hammond) Barber. William spent his boyhood days 
and received his education in his native state, coming to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, in 1872. He was married on the 4th of April, 1881, to 
Miss Annie E. Wing, a native of Gentry County, born on the 2d of 
May, i860. She was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Button) 
Wing, the former a native of Albany, New York, born April 1, [818. 
and her mother of Warren County, New York, born February 2, 1825. 
They were married April 5, 1.848, and afterwards settled in Glenn Falls, 
New York, moving to Wisconsin in 1854, and 1855 to Illinois, thence to 
Gentry County, Missouri, in 1857, and to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 
1865, they locating near Maryville. Mr. Barber spent his boyhood days 
in this county, and received the advantages of a good education. He 
and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church. His farm consists 
of 255 acres of good land. 

SAMUEL BENDER, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 13, is a native of Boone Count)-, Indiana, 
and was born November 12, 1843, being the son of David and Mai}- 



1006 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

(Lucas) Bender. His father was born in 1804, and died in April, 1878. 
His mother was born in 1812. They were married in 1828, and settled 
in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and moved to Holt County, 
Missouri, in 1852. Samuel spent his boyhood days and received his 
education in Holt County, Missouri. He enlisted in November, 1861, in 
Company H, of the Missouri State Militia, and in April, 1862, in the 
cavalry service, and was mustered out in August, 1865. He was married 
December 27, 1868, to Miss J. E. Roberts, a native of Highland County, 
Ohio. She was born in 1848, and subsequently came to Missouri with 
her parents and settled in Holt County. They had a family of three : 
Edmond and Ephraim R., living, and one is deceased, Ebbia. Mr. and 
Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. 

S. BOSLEY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, 
June 4, 1826, and is a son of Elisha and Clarrissa (VVilber) Bosley, 
natives of New York, who settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, and 
thence moved to Whitesides County, Illinois, in 1834. They lived there 
until their death. Their son, the subject of this memoir, spent his boy- 
hood days and received his education in his native county, and was 
married July 1, 1846, to Miss Laura Johnson, a native of Onondaga 
County, New York, born the 2d of April, 1825. She is a daughter of 
Charles M. and Mary (Bennett) Johnson, natives of New York. Her 
father was born in 1796, and died May 25, 1880. Her mother was born 
in 1799, and died in July, i88r. They were married in 1820, and then 
located in Onondaga County, New York, and moved to Geauga County, 
Ohio, in 1827, and to Joliet, Illinois, in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Bosley moved 
to Geauga County, Ohio, in 1847, and thence to Will County, Illinois, 
settling near Joliet. There he purchased and improved a farm, but sold 
out in 1870, and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and made his home 
about four miles of east of Skidmore, now owning 160 acres of improved 
land. They have nine children living : William R., Claridon, Edward, 
Jackson, Alonzo, Melissa, L., Lodema, and Sylvester. They have lost 
one daughter, Julia, born October 2, 1862, and died in April, 1863. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bosley are members of the Lutheran Church. 

JOHN BROWN, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, is a native of Jackson County, Ten- 
nessee, was born on the 23d of August, 1824, and is a son of Andrew and 
Mary (Yount) Brown. His father was a native of Sullivan County, Ten- 
nessee, and his mother of North Carolina. They moved to Platte County, 
Missouri, and settled on a farm in 1837, and in 1840 came to Nodaway 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IOO7 

County, locating in Hughes Township, where the elder Brown purchased a 
claim, and it was the first land broken in Nodaway County. Mr. Brown's 
father laid out Graham in 1855. He started out in life as a blacksmith, 
when at the age of eighteen years, working with James Black one year, 
and then with Isaac Clark for a like period. In 1849 he moved some 
five miles north of Graham and purchased a farm of 160 acres, and 
farmed in connection with blacksmithing. In 1850 he went to Califor- 
nia by the way of Salt Lake, being on the road four months. He was 
engaged in mining, and in 1852 returned to Missouri by the way of San 
Francisco to New Orleans. He followed agricultural pursuits until the 
breaking out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, in 
Col. Slayback's Regiment, and participated in the battles of Blue Mills 
and Lexington, Missouri ; Elkhorn, Arkansas ; Corinth, Atlanta and 
Vicksburg. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Noda- 
way County, Missouri, remaining a short time, and then started for 
Nebraska. After an absence of eighteen months he came again to Nod- 
away County and rented a farm for two years, when he purchased his- 
present place of 254 acres of finely improved land. Mr. Brown was mar- 
ried February 28, 1846, to Miss P. Bohannan, who was born October 20 r 
1828. She died November 4, 1877, leaving seven children living : Sarah 
A., A. J., Elizabeth A., Zella E., Hester C, George W. and Tilmon T. 
Mary E, died February 20, 1874 ; Amanda J. died in October, 1852. In 
religious preferences he is a Cumberland Presbyterian. He is also a 
Mason in good standing. 

N. H. BURKHEAD, 

proprietor of hotel, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and was born 
on the 9th day of October, 1829, being the son of M. F. and Sarah (Bar- 
nett) Burkhead. His father was a native of Fairfield, Maryland, born in 
1803, and died in September, 1873. His mother was a native of Cul- 
peper, Virginia, and born in 1800. She died in 1881. They were mar- 
ried in 1824, and then settled in Harrison County, Ohio. N. H. Burk- 
head passed his youthful days and received his schooling in his native 
state, commencing farming for himself in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1849. 
He subsequently sold out and settled in Adams County, Illinois, in 1870, 
and then moved to Springfield, of the same state. In the year 
1872 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and purchased 160 acres of 
unimproved land. Here he spent his time in improving his farm. In 
1880 he sold out and moved to Skidmore, and erected a hotel. He was 
united in marriage on the 8th day of June, 1848, to Miss Rebecca And- 
rews, who was born December 11, 1828, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. 
She was the daughter of J. and Libbie (Archibald) Andrews. Mrs. B. 
died on the 4th of February, 1875, leaving the following children: S. A., 



IOOS BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Sabitha J., Harriet, M. F., Mary, Milton, S. M., Elizabeth, Lourina, 
Rachel, and Joseph H. Mr. B. was married the second time on the i/th 
of March, 1878, to Mrs. William Rodman, whose maiden name was Mar- 
garet Roberts. She was born 1835, and is a native of Virginia. Mr. 
and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. enlisted in Com- 
pany H, Eighty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the 
war and did service in all the southern states, participating in most every 
battle. He was discharged at the close of the war. 

ENOCH DAY, 

lumberman, is a native of Jackson County, Indiana, and was born on 
the 2d day of March, 1841, being the son of Elijah and Isabel (James) 
Day. His father was a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born in 1801, 
and died in 1872. His mother was of the same county, born in 1805. 
She died in 1846. They were married in 1827. E. P. spent his boyhood 
days and received his education in his native state. When he was at 
the age six years, his mother died, and, in 1852, his father moved to 
Van Buren County, Iowa, and there the son remained till i860, when 
he went to Ohio, and remained till 1862. He next removed to Hender- 
son County, Illinois, and, in September of that year, enlisted in Company 
B, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and did service in Texas 
and New Mexico. He was mustered out in 1865, and returned to Illi- 
nois. Mr. Day married, on the 25th of December, 1867, Miss Cordelia 
Haseltine, daughter of E. G. and Sarah (Hume) Haseltine, of Warren 
County, Illinois. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Day settled in 
Clarke County, Iowa, on a farm, and lived there till 1875, when they 
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and located four miles southwest 
of Maryville, purchasing eighty acres of unimproved land. He sold 
this in September, 1880, and took charge of Howell Brothers' lumber 
yard, at Skidmore. Mr. and Mrs. Day's family consists of four children: 
Isabel, Cora, Elmer C. and Delia M. The firm with whom Mr. Day is 
connected was the first to handle lumber in this city. 

JAMES P. DIKE, JR., 

merchant, is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and was born on the 22d 
day of May, 1859, being the third son of James P. and Harriett (Allen) 
Dike. His father was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, born on the 
18th of March, 1831. His mother was a native of Heath, Massachusetts, 
born October 23, 1832. The)- were married February 18, 1853, and after- 
wards settled in Brooklyn, James P. Dike, Sr., being a member of the 
firm of Dike «S: Bros., dealers in foreign and domestic wool, of New York 
City. Their family consisted of four sons. The eldest, A. P., was a civil 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IOO9 

engineer, with headquarters at St. Joseph, Missouri ; the second son, E. 
A., was a prominent attorney of New York City ; the fourth one is now 
attending Harvard College. The subject of this sketch spent his boy- 
hood days and received his common school education at Brooklyn, New 
York. In 1874, he entered a college which had been established in 1842, 
Henry Cochian being president. He graduated in 1878, with the highest 
honors of the college, and then entered the employ of Noyes, Smith & 
Co., of New York City, with whom he remained till April, 1880, when 
he came west, and was engaged in working with Florence, Janssen & 
Co., Atchison, Kansas, as traveling salesman. After about four months, 
he became associated with Isaac Motter, of St. Joseph, and opened a 
general stock at Skidmore. In business circles Mr. D. is honored by all 
for his unswerving integrity. He is reserved in manners, yet possesses 
qualities which enable him to express views on all topics of the day. 

EDWARD T. DUVAE, 

of the firm of Markland, Earl & Company, merchants, is a native of 
Augusta County, Virginia, and was born September 10, 185 1, the only 
son of John B. and Eliza Duval. The former was born in Ohio, and the 
latter in Augusta County, Virginia, September 29, 1825, and died in 
1854. They were married June 20, 1848, and then settled at Waynes- 
boro Virginia, and moved to Fisherville, Virginia, in 1851. Edward 
passed his earlier days in his native county, and with his father moved 
to Atchison, Kansas, in 1869, and in December of the same year to 
Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri. He was in the employ of Cono- 
ver & Stiles, clothiers, at that place, for about two years, and in 1879 
entered the house of A. S. Keeves, general merchant, with whom he 
remained some seven years. During the year 1879 ne was a partner of 
T. H. Beekman, but dissolved in 1880. The October following he 
entered into partnership with Messrs. Markland & Earl. They opened 
a general stock at Skidmore, where they are doing a successful business. 
Mr. Duval was married January 11, 1875, to Miss Emma Shaw, a native 
of Savannah, Missouri. She was the daughter of Robert Shaw, a promi- 
nent citi/x-n of that place. 

ESQUIRE D. FINNEY, 

proprietor of Finney Hotel, is a native of Troy, Rensellaer County, 
New York, was born on the 28th of August, 1842, and is the son of 
Charles D. and Nancy (Jones) Finney. His father was a native of Ver- 
mont, born in .1818, and his mother was from Rensellaer Count)-, New 
York, born in 1820. They were married in 1841, and then settled in 
the above count)'. Esquire spent his boyhood days and received part of 



IOIO BIOGRAPHICAL. 

his education in his native county. At the age of fourteen years, with 
his parents, he moved to Whiteside County, Illinois, and settled on a 
farm. His mother died in 1858, and the father was married the second 
time in 1858. E. D. then made his home with his grandparents and 
sister, working on a farm. His first purchase of real estate was forty 
acres of wild land, and he devoted his time in improving this, and con- 
tinued to live with his grandparents till their death. He married on the 
2d of October, 1867, Miss Julia Bosley, who was born in Trumbull 
County, Ohio, near Farmington, September 7, 1842. Mr. Finney, later, 
rented his farm and moved to Clinton, Iowa, and devoted his time to 
speculating. In 1868 he went to Manchester, Scott County, Illinois, and 
did a livery business till 1869, when he located in Fulton, Whitesides 
County, and there remained until the spring of 1870. At that time Mar- 
shall County, Kansas, became his home, and in the following September 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and purchased over ninety-two 
acres of wild land in Monroe Township, four miles east of Skidmore- 
He continued to farm and make improvements, and in October, 1880, 
built a hotel and stable in Skidmore. Mr. F. is a popular hotel man, 
and has a good patronage. Mr. and Mrs. F. have one daughter, Ella M.„ 
born on the 5th of August, 1871. 

J. D. FREEMAN,' 

physician and surgeon, was born in Cayuga County, New York, May 25, 
1840, and was a son of Reuben and Lydia (Denton) Freeman. The 
former, a native of New York, was born June 15, 18 18, and the latter 
was born in 1820, in' the same state. They were married in 1839, 
and then settled in Cayuga County, New York, moving, then, to Medina 
County, Ohio, and afterwards to Iowa, and, in 1859, to Goodhue County, 
Minnesota. Hastings, Minnesota, became their next location. Mr. 
Reuben Freeman is a practitioner of many years experience. J. D. 
passed his early manhood in Medina County, and received a good edu- 
cation. Having resolved to practice medicine for a profession, he com- 
menced reading with Dr. Holmes, continuing under his tutorship for 
three years. In February, 1878, he graduated from the Keokuk Medical 
College, after having attended two course of lectures at Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, some years previous. He began practicing at Pine Island,, 
and then located at White Rock, Kansas, and, in 1881, he went to Den- 
ver, Colorado. Upon returning, he located at Hastings, Nebraska. 
About January 10, 1882, Dr. F. came to Skidmore, Nodaway County,. 
Missouri, and is now enjoying an excellent practice. He was married 
September 1, 1864, to Miss Lydia A. Bromley, a native of Sheboygan 
County, Wisconsin, born July 25, 1847. She was a daughter of O. B. 
and Alzina (Turner) Bromley, the former a native of New York, born 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IOI I 

in 1 8 1 7 , and the latter is also of that state, born in 1827. During the 
late war, she, with drawn revolver, protected her husband's stock from 
being taken by Ouantrell. In 1854, they settled in Kansas, and moved 
to Colorado in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman's family consists of four 
children: Eva A., Velma A., O. R. and M. 

JOHN J. GRIGSBY, 

fanner and stock dealer, section 2, is a native of Hardin County, Ken- 
tucky, was born December 18, 1826, and is the son of Redman and Nancy 
(Keeling) Grigsby. His father was a native of Virginia, born in 1800, 
and died June 7, 1876. His mother was a native of Kentucky. She died 
in 1828. They were married in 1820, and then settled in Hardin County, 
Kentucky, moving to McDonough County, Illinois, in 1830. They settled 
on a farm, being pioneers of that county. Here John spent his boyhood 
and received his education. He was married on the 7th of September, 
1847, to Miss Clarissa P. Hays, a native of Washington County, Ken- 
tucky. She was a daughter of Thomas R. and Mary (McDonald) Hays. 
The former, a native of Washington County, Kentucky, born February 
14, 1800, and the latter of the same county. She was born on the 20th 
of November, 1804. They were married December 28, 1822, and then 
settled in McDonough County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. G. became resi- 
dents of that county, and in 1853 he entered the mercantile business at 
Blandinsville, Illinois, remaining till 1859, when he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and settled where he now resides. In 1862 he received 
a captain's commission in the Missouri Enrolled Militia, and in 1864 
enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and 
was commissioned a captain of the same. In 1865 he was sent to Camp 
Douglas, at Chicago, Illinois, doing guard duty, and was afterwards 
ordered to St. Louis. He was mustered out July 3, 1865. He then 
returned to his family, and has since devoted his time to farming. Their 
family consists of one child and an adopted son : Laura B., born on the 
28th of August, 1863 ; and William, born November 6, 1863. They have 
lost two — Elizabeth M., born January 1, 1849, died September 1, 1849; 
and Lillie C, born November 21, 1863, died September 4, 1864. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. G. is a Mason. 

LEROY F. HAMMOND, 

farmer and stock dealer, owns and resides on section 7. He is a native 
of Perry County, Ohio, and was born on the 22d of June, 1834, being the 
son of W. G. and Mary E. (Hatcher) Hammond. His father was a native 
of Maryland, born in 1809, and died in October, 1872. His mother was 
a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born in 18 13. She is now living 



1012 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

in Iowa. They were married in 1834, and then settled in Perry County, 
Ohio, moving to Nodaway County Missouri, in 1871. Leroy spent his 
boyhood days and received his education in his native state. In 1854, 
he clerked in his uncle's store, afterwards moved to Marshall County, 
Illinois, and was engaged in farming till 1857, when he located in 
McDonough County, Illinois. He was married April 15, 1865, to Miss 
Margaret A. James, a native of Perry County, Ohio, born on the 25th of 
December, 1837. She is the daughter of Rev. G. D. and Margaret 
(Hamilton) James, both natives of Baltimore County, Maryland. Mr. 
Hammond, with his family, came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 187 1, 
and settled on his present farm, consisting of 640 acres of fine land. 
What he possesses is the result of his own industry and good manage- 
ment. Both Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church. Their 
family consists of Charles E., William E., Harry W. and Lillian V. 

WILLIAM R. HAYS, 

farmer, section 32, was born in McDonough County, Illinois, on the 27th 
day of September, 1834. He is the son of Thomas R. and Mary (McDon- 
ald) Hays. His father a native of Washington County, Kentucky, born 
February 14, 1800, and his mother of the same county, born on the 20th 
of November, 1804. They were married December 28, 1822, and then 
settled in that count}-. William spent his boyhood days and received 
his education in his native county, attending college in Fulton County 
in 1855-6. He clerked for his father in 1857, an ^ in 1858, in company 
with John Grigsby and A. M. Colton, James T. Hays came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and purchased some 1,800 acres of land, and with his 
parents moved here in the spring of 1859. The fall of i860 William 
returned to McDonough County, 111., and in September, 1861, enlisted in 
Company F, Eleventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and partic- 
ipated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. He was on detached duty 
from June, 1862, till January, 1863, and was taken prisoner January 5, 
1863, and confined in Libby prison till May 5, 1863. He was exchanged 
and returned to his command. He was mustered out Jul}' 1865, as major of 
that regiment. Mr. H. moved to Nodaway County. Missouri, the same 
year. His farm is composed of 299 acres of good land. He was mar- 
ried December 30, 1863, to Miss Lucy E. Kirk, a native of McDonough 
County, Illinois, born May 9, 1840. She is the daughter of John and 
Nancy 1 Coe) Kirk. Her father was a native of Marion Count}', Kentucky, 
born November 24, 1791, and died November 11, 1856. Her mother, a 
native of Virginia, was born June 19, 1797, and died August 1, 1863. 
They were married on the 9th of March, 1 <S 1 5 , and then settled in Mar- 
ion Count}', Kentucky, moving from there to McDonough County, Illi- 
nois. Mr. and Mrs. II. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. II. is a 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IOI3 

Mason in good standing. Their family consists of five children: Arthur 
G., born October 25, 1864; Juliet M., born July 2, 1867; Mary Ada, born 
September 30, 1869; Harriet M., born July 7, 1872; Richard R., born 
September 27, 1875. 

JOHN G. HAYS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, is a native of McDonough County, 
Illinois, and was born on the 28th day of August, 1844, and is a twin 
brother of Joseph W. Hays, and a son of Thomas R. and Mary 
(McDonald) Hays, who were married December 28, 1822. His father 
was a native of Washington County, Kentucky, and was born February 
14, 1800. He was the son of William H. and Susanah (Ray) Hays, the 
former a native of Virginia, born in 1770, and died in 1845. His mother 
was a native of Maryland, born 1773, and died in 1854. They were 
married in 1799 and settled in Kentucky. Thomas R. spent his boyhood 
days in his native state, and with his parents moved to McDonough 
County, Illinois, in 1831, and commenced farming for himself. In 1859 
he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, settling at Burr Oak, west of 
Skidmore. He was married on the 28th of December, 1822, to Miss 
Mary McDonald, a native of Washington County, Kentucky, born on 
the 20th of November, 1804. She is the daughter of Richard and Mary 
(Long) McDonald. Her father was a native of Virginia, boni in 1773. 
He died in 1809. Her mother was a native of Virginia, born in 1774 
and died in 185 1. They were married in 1790. Thomas R. Hays and 
wife were pioneers of McDonough County, Illinois, and afterwards came 
to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled where they now reside. The 
country at that time was but a vast wide wild prairie. They now have 
a pleasant home with their children, the complement of their family 
circle numbering eight : Clarrissa P., Isabella O., Mary F., Richard W., 
James T., Martha J., Joseph W., and John G. They have lost Elizabeth 
S., Maria, and Lafayette M. All are members of the M. E. Church. 

M. P. HORN, 

proprietor of meat market, is a native of Logan County, Kentucky, and 
was born September 13, 1853. His parents were N. D. and Sarah F. 
(Dawson) Horn. The former was a native of Kentucky, born on the 
2 1st of June, 1 8 14, and his mother was from Warren County, Kentucky, 
born November 5, 1820. They were married in 1837, and subsequently 
located on a farm in Logan County. Mrs. Horn died in 1857. In Janu- 
ary, 1864, M. P., with his father, moved to Marion County, Illinois, and 
in 1866, went to Bates County, and settled on a farm. The subject of 
this sketch began business for himself when at the age of seventeen 
years, by working on a farm. After four years, he commenced farming 



IOI4 BIOGRAPHICA] . 

for himself. In 1S71, he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, making his 
homo with II. II. Nash, and farmed rented land, lie was married on the 
roth of March, 1SS1, to Miss Lucinda Freeze, a native of Center County, 
Pennsylvania, born February _J, [863. She with her parents came to 
Missouri in 1870, and settled in Nodaway County. 

THOMAS 1.. HOWDEN, 

notary public, dealer in real estate and insurance, loan and collection 
agent, resides in section 6. He is a native of Fayette County, Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born May 51, [828, being a son of Thomas and Matilda 
[Long) Howden. His father was a native of Fayette County, Pennsyl- 
vania, born in [809, and died in [832. His mother was from the same 
count)-, born in [8lO. She died in 1864. The)- were married in 1820, 
and then settled in their native county. After his father's death, 
Thomas and his mother lived with his grand parents, moving with 
them to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1831, and in 1833 to Clermont County, 
Ohio. In 1838, Adams Count)-, Illinois became their home. There 
he spent his boyhood days and received his education, and, in [846, 
purchased eight)- acres of land, and devoted his time to farming 
and brick making, lie was married on the 11th day of February, 1847, 
to Miss Lydia L. Stewart, a native of Athens Count)-, Ohio. She was 
the daughter of Martin and Sarah ^Thompson) Stewart, the former a 
native ^A~ Athens Count)-, Ohio, born in 1803, and died November, 25, 
Her mother was of the same county, bom February 6, 1806. 
She died on the 30th of April, 18S0. In 1831, the)- settled in Adams 
Count)-, Illinois. In 1850, Mr. Howden went to California, and remained 
till 185 1, when he returned to Illinois, and continued his former business. 
He enlisted on the 23d of Jul)-, 1862, in Company C, Eighteenth Illinois 
Infantry, and held the position of first lieutenant. He was mustered 
out as captain in June, [862, having been wounded several times. He 
then returned to his home, and, in [867, built a flouring mill, but sold 
out in 1872, and moved to Nodaway Count)-, Missouri, and settled where 
he now resides. His farm consists of 160 acres of well improved land. 
Mr. II. was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1881. Mr. and 
Mrs. II. are members of the M. E. Church. Their family consists of 
five children : Andrew F., William M., Clara E., Anna M. and Thomas 
L. ddie_\- have lost four: Leander, Emily A., Lydia L. and Lucy M. 

HENRY HUFFMAN, 

grain buyer ami proprietor of elevator, Skidmore, is a native of Kent 
County, Canada, born March 10, 1842, ami is the third son of David and 
Martha Toll Huffman. His father was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 



MONROE TOWNSHir. 101 5 

in i Hon. His mother was a native of Detroit, Michigan, bom in i 
She, with Ikt parents, moved to Kent County, Canada, in [812. They 
wer<- married in [826, and then settled in Kent County. Henrys;, 
his boyhood days and received his education in his native country. At 
tin- age of sixteen years he went to Bureau County, Illinois, and worked 
on a farm for one year, and in [859 was employed in a flouring mill, and 
was a stoker on the steamboat Ben Campbell, running on the Mississippi 
River. In tin- spring of i860 Ik- returned to his native- home-, and 
remained with his parents, working on a farm. In 1862 3 4 he sailed on 
the lakes, and on Ma)- [6, 1X65, he sailed from Detroit, Michigan, to Hud- 
son Bay on a vessel commanded by Captain Gale, which was loaded with 
rgo of ( opper, and sailed for Liverpool. Henry and his mate-, Her- 
bert McCormick, went to London, and after visiting various points of 
interest.soon found their finances in a low condition. They then 1 
themselves to sail a round trip on the ocean by the way of Boston, and 
on their voyage to America succeeded in gaining the- good grac< 
captain. After landing at Boston, the captain locked up all excepting 
Henry and Herbert, they having the vessel in char < In the course of 
days they found out that the vessel would soon return to England. 
On the same evening they lowered their baggage- to a yawl, and upon 
landing, took the cars for Cleveland, Ohio. He worked in a ship yard 
that winter, and in 1866 went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he farmed 
for some four years at $25 per month. In 1870 he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and tilled the soil till 1871, when he returned to Ogle 
County, Illinois. In 1872 he again came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits, in connection with 
dealing in and feeding cattle. In the spring of 1881 he erected an 
vator at Skidmore, costing $5,000, with a capacity of 12,000 bushels, 32X 
44 and 66 feet in height. Mr. Huffman was married on the 8th of Jan Li- 
ar)-, 1873, to Miss Samantha A. James, a native of I ton, Richland 
County, Ohio, born on January 1, 1849. She is the daughter of Joseph 
D. and Margaret (Hamilton; James. Mr. and Mrs. II. had by this union 
two children: James R., born June 2, 1875; and Joseph, born Octob< r 
29, 1873, died August 6, 1874. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church. 
Mr. H. is a self-made man. He is correct and energetic in business, and 
his neighbors and those who have dealings with him find him perfectly 
reliable. 

DR. CHARLES LMPEY, 

physician and druggist, i- a native of Andrew Count)-, Missouri, born 
January 6, 1853, being the second son of Dr. P"rancis and Nancy J ' 
Impey. His father is a native of Ireland, and was born in [821, and came 
to America in 1840. He graduated from the St. Louis Medical College 
in 1844 and settled in Ray Count)-, Missouri, in the same year, and came 



I0l6 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

to Andrew County, in 1846. His mother, a native of Wythe County, 
Virginia, was the daughter of Robert and Hannah Davis. Charles, with 
his parents, moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1862, and attended school 
some two years, and with them went to Ray County, Missouri, in 1864, 
remaining one year. His mother died in 1865. He was sent to St. 
Louis, where he remained till 1867, when he returned to his father's 
home at New Market, Platte County, Missouri. Here he attended the 
Monroe High School one year. He went back to his native county in 
1868, attending school two terms, and in 1872 he graduated at Bryant's 
Commercial College, in St. Joseph. In the meantime his father had 
moved to Fillmore, Andrew County. Charles read medicine, with his 
father as preceptor, till the fall of 1872, when he entered the St. Louis 
Medical College. He was graduated from the Louisville Medical Col- 
lege, of Kentucky, in the spring of 1874, and then commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in Graham, and in the fall of 1880 moved to Skid- 
more and opened a drug store in connection with the practice of medi- 
cine. Dr. Impey was married May 18, 1876, to Miss Jennie E. Freytag, a 
daughter of Francis and Annie (Williaman) Freytag. She was born 
in Wisconsin, February 6, 1859. By this union they had three children: 
Charles F., born, February 26, 1878 ; John E. born January 19, 1879, and 
an infant, born November 8, 1880. 

J. A. JAMES, 

farmer and stock dealer, section 2, is a native of Perry County, Ohio, 
was born September 15, 1840. He was a son of Joseph D. and Margaret 
(Hamilton) James. His father was a native of Maryland, born in 1807, 
and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1805. They had 
moved from Pennsylvania to Perry County, Ohio, and in 1861 to 
McDonough County, Illinois, coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 
1870, and settling on a farm. J. A. passed his youth in his native county, 
and in 1862 enlisted in Company C, Seventy-ninth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, participating in the battles of Mission Ridge, Look- 
out Mountain, Dalton, Altoona, Kingston, Big Shanty, and Atlanta, and 
was with Sherman on his march to the sea ; at Bentonville, thence to 
Alexandria and Washington, D. C. He was discharged at Chicago, 
Illinois, June 21, 1865. Mr. James returned to McDonough County, 
Illinois, and farmed till the fall of 1869, when he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri. He was married December 20, 1866, to Miss Clara 
H. Kions, a native of Fayette County, Ohio. She was a daughter of 
Solomon and Margaret (Hughes) Kions, both natives of Ohio. The family 
of Mr. and Mrs. James consists of Fred. S., Jacob E., Maggie G. and 
Ada M., living, and Solomon and Katie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. J. are 
both members of the M. E. Church. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 10 1 7 

H. H. JOY, 

grocer and postmaster at Skidmore, is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, 
born April 25, 1844, and is the youngest son of A. and (Jane) Faires Joy. 
His father was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born in 1802, and died 
in 1874. His mother was born in 1803, and died in 1879. They were 
married in 1823, and moved to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1864, settling 
in Savannah. H. H. spent his boyhood days and received his education 
in his native county. In the spring of 1863 he enlisted in Company I, 

Ohio Heavy Artillery, and participated in the battles of Watauga, 

and Loudon, Tennessee, and Ashville, North Carolina. He did duty at 
Fort Clay, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Tennessee, and was mustered out 
at Cincinnati, August 2, 1865, having served two years, two months and 
two days. Mr. Joy came west to Savannah, Missouri, in the fall of 1865, 
and was engaged in teaching school till 1867. He then went to Doni- 
phan County, Kansas, but returned to Andrew County, Missouri, the 
same fall. August 24, 1873, he married Miss Mary H. Bentley, a native 
of Trumbull County, Ohio, born October 16, 1855. She was the daugh- 
ter of Judge Amos and Adaline (Black) Bentley. Her father is a native 
of Pennsylvania, born December 26, 1823, and her mother of New York, 
born August 29, 1827. They were married September 10, 1854, and in 
1856 moved to Iowa, and then to Nodaway County. Mr. and Mrs. Joy 
have two children living: Frances E., born June 20, 1874; and Mabel 
M., born March 9, 1876: Paul B. was born December 6, 1879, ar >d died 
October 17, 1880. Mr. Joy has spent some ten years in teaching school 
in Missouri and Kansas. He moved to Skidmore in September, 1880, 
built the first business house, and received the appointment of postmaster 
the same year. 

WILLIAM S. KENNEDY, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 4, is a native of Guilford County, North 
Carolina, and was born February 18, 18 13, being a son of John and 
Charity (McMichael) Kennedy. The former was born in 1785, and died 
in 1863. His mother was born in 1786, and died in 1872. After being 
married, they settled in Guilford County, North Carolina. William, 
with his parents, moved to Fayette County, Indiana, in 1828, there 
spending his boyhood days and receiving his education. He was mar- 
ried October 8, 1835, to Miss Mary Birt, a native cf Greene County, 
Ohio, born on the 26th of March, 1813. She was the daughter of Henry 
and Ann Birt. They came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1856, and 
Mrs. Kennedy died May 5, 1858. She was the mother of seven children, 
all of whom are now dead : John H., Henry B., James M., Alfred R., 
Levin A., and Archie Mc. Mr. Kennedy was married the second time on 
the 16th of February, i860, to Miss Martha Noffsinger, daughter of Peter 



IOl8 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

and Frances (Keen) Noffsinger. She was born February 16, 1826. By 
this union they had two children, Mary F., living, and one, George W., 
deceased. Mr. K. enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, Company 
C, in 1862, and was mustered out the 19th of February, 1863. Mr. and 
Mrs. K. are members of the M. E. Church. 

ISAAC V. LA TOURETTE, 

proprietor of the Monroe Stock Farm, section n, is an extensive breeder 
of Short Horn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a native of Butler 
County, Ohio, was born October 8, 1833, and is the son of James and Lettie 
(Van Doren) La Tourette. His father was a native of Hunterdon County 
New Jersey, born in 1793, and died in January, 1856. His mother was a 
native of Somerset County, New Jersey, born January 7, 1791 , and died 
in May, 1868. They were married in 1831, and settled in their native 
state, moving to Butler County, Ohio, in 182 1. Isaac, with his parents, 
moved to Fulton County, Illinois, in 1841, and located on a farm. Here 
he spent his boyhood days and received his education. He began clerk- 
ing for Candee & La Tourette, dry goods merchants at Oneida, Knox 
County, Illinois, in 1856, remaining with them till i860, when he to6k a 
trip to Kansas and located land. Returning the same fall he clerked 
till the spring of 1861, then traveled four years for the above firm, sell- 
ing agricultural implements. He was married November 6, 1861, to 
Miss C. A. Camp, a native of Knox County, Illinois, born January 7, 1838. 
She is a daughter of Charles T. and Wealtha A. (Wilson) Camp. Her 
father was a native of New York, born in 1807 and died in 1859. H er 
mother is a native of the same state, and is now a resident of Monroe 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. L.'s family consists of: Harry C, Grace E., 
George W., and Mable F., having lost Lois. In 1871 Mi. L. purchased 
an elevator at Oneida, Illinois, and was in the grain business till 1874. 
Then he sold out and moved to his present residence, having purchased 
his farm the year previous. This consists of 540 acres of well improved 
land. His herd of short horns ranks among the first in Northwest Mis- 
souri. Among the noted animals are Norman's Duke, color, red and 
white, recorded in volume 8, page 9,021, bred by W. E. Simms, of Paris, 
Kentucky; also Royal Duchess cow, color, red, recorded volume 15, bred 
by W. S. Simms, Paris, Kentucky. 

A. N. LINCOLN, 

blacksmith, is a native of Chemung Count)', New York, and was born 
March 11, 1850. He is the son of Newel and Matilda (Burdick) Lincoln. 
His father was a native of Elmira, New York, and was born March 25, 
1827. He was a miller by trade. He worked for one firm thirteen years. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IOI9 

After being married, he settled in Chemung County, New York, and 
moved to Winnebago County, Illinois, in 1862, and in 1864, to Hardin 
County, Iowa. In 1868, he went to Fremont County, and settled on a 
farm, where he now resides. The mother of A. N. was a native of Wind- 
sor, Connecticut, born March 27, 1830. Albert N. spent his boyhood 
days in attending school and in learning his trade. He moved to Illinois 
with his parents, and in 1863, returned to New York, and entered the 
employ of the New York & Erie Railroad, remaining two years. In 
1866, he went to Sidney, Iowa, and lived there till 1869, when he opened 
a shop in St. Joseph, Missouri. This, with the contents, was destroyed 
by fire, entailing a loss of $3,500. He rebuilt, and remained in that 
locality till 1871. Then he moved to Fremont, Iowa; thence to Bur- 
lington Junction, Missouri, and in December, 1880, came to Skidmore. 
Mr L. was married July 10, 1865, to Miss Marietta Glasby, a native of 
New York, born in 1853. She died January 26, 1870. Of this union two 
children are deceased: Fred, and David. August 19, 1873, ne married 
Miss Martha E. Higley, a native of Knox County, Ohio, born August 4, 
1856. She is a daughter' of Edwin and Catherine (Lown) Higley. By 
this union they have two children : Bertie and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. 
L. are both members of the M. E. Church. 

WILLIAM T. McGINNIS, 

harness and saddle manufactory, was born in La Prairie, Adams County, 
Illinois, February 5, 1858, and is the son of W. T. and P. A. (Thayer) 
McGinnis. His father was a native of Kentucky, born February 12, 
1825, and died December 9, 1865. His mother was a native of Buffalo, 
New York. They were married March 17, 1853, and by this union 
they had the following family : Almenia, Virgo, Harry, William T., 
Mary, Stanton, Calvin, John and Smith. William T. moved to Andrew 
County, Missouri, in 1865. In 1867 he came to Nodaway County with 
his mother and her family, and settled south of Graham. Here he spent 
his boyhood days and received his education. In 1879 he associated 
himself with Mr. J. R. Stone and carried on the manufactory of harness 
at Graham till 1880, when he sold his interest and moved to Skidmore 
and opened a shop, and is now doing a successful business. 

EDWARD C. MARKLAND, 

merchant, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born May 13, 1839, 
and is the eldest son of R. D. and Mary (Calvin) Markland. His father was 
a native of the same county and state, and was born in 18 16. His mother 
was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 18 16. They were married in 
1836, and afterwards settled in Hamilton County, Ohio, and in 1851 he 



1020 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

moved to Kokomo, Indiana, and practiced law. Edward spent the 
remainder of his boyhood days and received his education at that place, 
and in 1859, with his parents, he moved to Holt County, Missouri. 
During the late war he enlisted in Company F., Thirteenth Regiment, 
Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battle of Lexing- 
ton, Missouri. He was captured by General Price in October, 1861, and 
paroled. After being exchanged he enlisted as first lieutenant in Com- 
pany I, under Colonel Kimball. He was mustered out in 1865, and 
returned to his parents' home in Holt County, Missouri. He entered the 
employ of W. and J. W. Zook, merchants at Kansas City, Missouri, in 
the following spring. The stock was divided, part taken to Savannah, 
Mr. M. receiving a position there. H^ was appointed deputy sheriff of 
Andrew County, Missouri, serving in 1870 and 1871. In 1872 he was in 
the mercantile business at Savannah, Missouri, and in 1873 moved to 
Lamar Station. He and Mr. W. S. Earl opened a stock of goods and 
did a thriving trade till 1876. He then sold out and came to Skidmore, 
Nodaway County, Missouri, and associated himself with Messrs. Earl 
and Duval for the purpose of conducting a dry goods, grocery, and 
hardware trade, under the firm name of Markland, Earl & Co. Their 
store is fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, divided into two rooms, 
one devoted to hardware, the other to dry goods and groceries. They 
carry a stock of $15,000. Mr. Markland was married to Miss Mary 
McCandliss, on the 2d of September, 1869. She is the daughter of W. 
A. and Maria (Gray) McCandliss, and was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in 1848, and with her parents moved to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and 
thence to Kansas City, and in 1866 to Savannah. They are both mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church, South. Their family consists of six children : 
Kate, born April 4, 1873 ; Fred, born May 23, 1876; Bob, born Feb- 
ruary 23, 1879, and Nellie May, born September 22, 1881, living, and two 
deceased, Olie, born June 23, 1870, and died September 26, 1870, and 
Lulu, born March 20, 1875, and died April 2, 1875. Early in business, he 
manifested those qualities of executive ability and integrity of charac- 
ter which commends him to the notice and confidence of the people. 
He has proven eminently worthy of the trust imposed. His genial 
nature, courteous manners, wise, sagacious management have made him 
one of the best as he is one of the most popular merchants of the 
county, being one of the few who have the rare faculty of managing the 
affairs of a company with great fidelity, and is exceedingly popular 
with the public. 

JOHN MAST, 

section 15, is a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, and was born 
May 18, 1843, and is the son of Noah and Catherine (Rollins) Mast. His 
father is native of Ashe County, North Carolina, born February 20, 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 1021 

1812. His mother is a native of North Carolina, born January 27, 1818. 
They were married August 14, 1842, and, in 1843, settled in Nodaway 
County, Missouri. John spent his boyhood days and received his edu- 
cation in this count)-. He was married October 25, 1864, to Miss Sarah 
A. Brown, a native of Nodaway County, Missouri. She was a daughter 
of John and P. (Bohannan) Brown. The former is a native of Jackson 
County, Tennessee, born August 23, 1824 ; the latter of Platte County, 
Missouri, born October 20, 1828. She died November 4, 1877. The 
family of Mr. and Mrs. Mast consists of five children : C. P., W. J., Mary 
E., Charles E. and Martha E., living ; lost two, James T. and Susan G. 
Mr. and Mrs. M. are church members, and Mr. M. is a Mason, belonging 
to Graham Lodge. Their daughter, Catherine, September n, 1881, Mar- 
ried Mr. George W. Herrell, a native of Bates County, Missouri, born 
March 31, 1859. He is the son of Athel and Sarah Herrell. 

WILLIAM H. MAYHUGH, 

farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, born 
July 20, 1840, and in 1858, came to Nodaway County, Missouri, with his 
parents. He resides with his parents, and farms with his brother, James 
P. Mayhugh, who was born in the same county, December 5, 1844. He 
also came with his parents to Missouri. William H. enlisted on the 10th 
of December, 1863, in Company F, Twelfth Regiment of Missouri Vol- 
unteer Cavalry, doing service in Tennessee and Alabama, and in 1865, 
with his regiment he went to Montana Territory, returning to Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, in April, 1866, when he was mustered out. Their father, 
Thomas Mayhugh, is a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, born Jan- 
uary 31, 18 17, he being the son of Perry and Elizabeth (Hughes) May- 
hugh. The former was a native of Maryland, born August 7, 1794, and 
died in 1823. Elizabeth H. Mayhugh was a native of Virginia. They 
were married in 1 8 14. Their son, Thomas, spent his boyhood days in 
his native state, and learned the trade of blacksmith, working at the 
business twenty-five years. He married, January 31, 1839, Miss Rebecca 
Smith, a native of the same county. She was born March 8, 1822, and 
died October 26/1863, leaving William H., James P., Sarah E., Margaret 
E., Mary J. and Cyrus S. He was again married March 3, 1869, to Mrs. 
Nancy Goodwin, born December 13, 1834. They have four children : 
Viola, SamanthaL., Cora A. Olive H. Mrs. Mayhugh is a member of the 
Christian Church. 

H. H. NASH, 

proprietor of Nash's flouring mill, situated on the Nodaway River, near 
Skidmore, was born in Sherburne, Chenango County, New York, 
March 26, 1827, being the son of H. and Phylinda (Farr) Nash. His father, 



1022 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

a native of Whately, Massachusetts, was born November 5, 1794, and 
died July 16, 1858. The mother was a native of the same place, born in 
1796, and died October 16, 1835. They were married December 28, 
18 16, and settled at Earlville, New York. The mother of H. H. having 
died, his father was married the second time on December 27, 1838, to 
Miss Mary A. Beecher, a cousin of Henry Ward Beecher, of Brooklyn, 
New York. She died in 1873. Hawley passed his boyhood days and 
received his schooling in his native town, spending some four years at a 
select school. He farmed till 1853 and was then in the tanning business, 
and in 1854 entered the mercantile business. In 1857 his employers 
failed, and Mr. N. then came west and settled in Page County, Iowa, 
devoting his time to farming. In 1859, * n company with three others, 
he started for Pike's Peak, but after arriving at the Platte River he con- 
cluded to return. He went back to his home in Iowa and farmed till 
1863, when he went to Montana, devoting his time to mining. He 
returned to Iowa in February, 1865, and farmed till September, 1865, 
and soon came to Nodaway County, Missouri, settling at Quitman. He 
purchased a flouring mill and continued the business till 1875, when he 
bought and moved to his present home. He now owns some 400 acres 
of land and a fine flouring mill. Mr. N. was married on the 7th of Janu- 
ary, 185 1, to Miss C. E. Torrey, a native of Poolville, Hamilton .County, 
New York, born April 7, 1831. She was the daughter of D. and Sallie 
(Nichols) Torrey. Their family consists of two children: Linda F., 
born October 30, 1851, and Celia L., born January 31, 1862. They lost 
one, Jay D., born August 7, 1858, and died October 30, 1865. Miss 
Celia married Dr. Jackson M. Nutt, October 20, 1880. He is a native of 
Boone County, Missouri, born on the 2d of January, 1 856. 

JOHN OWENS, 

farmer and stock raiser, a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, was born 
in October, 1823. He is the son of Elijah and Mary Owens, both natives 
of Bourbon County, Kentucky. They were married in 1825. John, with 
his parents, moved to Bartholomew County, Indiana, and settled on a 
farm, spending his boyhood days and received his education in his native 
county. At the age of nineteen years, he commenced farming for him- 
self. He came to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1852, and worked on a 
farm. He was married to Miss Nancy Linville in 1858. She is a 
daughter of James Linville, and was born in Missouri. They have the 
following children : Martin C, born February II, 1856; Isaac N., born 
January 17, 1857; Eliza W., born February II, i860, and Stonewall J., 
born March 18, [862. Mrs. Owens died in 1863. Mr. Owens was again 
married, in 1865, to Miss Margaret Gillmore, a native of Buchanan 
County, Missouri, born October 27, 1838. She died August 23, 1879, 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. IO23 

leaving a family, comprising Alice, born in 1866 ; John C, born June 5, 
1867; George R., born September 17, 1871; Henry Elmor, born January 
26, 1876; Kattie A., born December 13, 1877; Fred. E., born August \J y 
1879. He has lost the following children : Missouri I., born March 20, 
1859, died in infancy; Robert E., born February 7, 1875, died August 28, 
1 875 ; Joseph E., born February 7, 1875, died September 3, 1875, and 
Carrie T. was burned to death by her clothes catching on fire from a 
candle, on March 28, 188 1. Mr. Owen is a Mason in good standing. 
He came to Nodaway County, Mo., when Monroe Township was but a 
wild prairie. Being a man of great energy, he began the improvement 
and cultivation of his land, and in this his hopes have been more than 
realized. His farm consists of some 400 acres, with superior buildings 
and fenced with fine Osage Hedge. He has been closely identified with 
the growth and prosperity of the county, and has manifested a com- 
mendable public spirit. 

J. V. PARRISH, 

blacksmith, is a native of Kirklin, Boone County, Indiana, and was born 
June 10, 1839. His father, Louis Parrish, was a native of Nicholas 
County, Kentucky, born in 18 18, and died September 29, 1856. His 
mother, Ann Ary (Vogan) Parrish, was from Fleming County, Kentucky, 
born in 1819. They were married in Kentucky, in September, 1838, and 
then settled in Boone County, Indiana, remaining till 1841, when Mr. P. 
moved to Knox County, Illinois, and in 1844 to Fulton County, Illinois; 
thence to Marshall County in 1847, to Stark County in 1850, to Mont- 
gomery County in 185 I, and in 1854 returned to Brown County, Indiana. 
From there he went to Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in 1855, and here 
his father died. With an older brother he worked at the blacksmith's 
trade, and supported his mother and younger children. In 1857 his 
mother was again married, to John Hobbs, born in 18 17. J. V. subse- 
quently moved to Harrison County, Missouri, and settled on a farm, and 
returned to Stark County, Illinois, in 1859, remaining a short time, and 
then once more came to Harrison County, Missouri. In i860 he went to 
Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and worked at his trade. In May, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company G, Twenty -sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and participated in the battles at Prairie Grove, Vicksburg, Port 
Hudson, New Orleans, etc. In 1863 he was discharged. In 1867 he 
commenced working at his chosen calling, in Mt. Moriah, Harrison 
County, Missouri, continuing till 1870, when he came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and settled on a farm south of Maryville. In 1872 he 
moved to Union Valley, and in September, 1880, built a shop at Skid- 
more, working till September, 1881, when he entered the employ of J. P. 
Dike, Jr., general merchant. Mr. Parrish was married July 27, 1864, to 
Miss A. E. Hobbs, a native of Indiana. They have nine children : Jennie 



1024 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

E., Lydia E., James P., Warttie A., Thomas J., Mollie. Gracie, Martha 
and Florence. 

P. M. PASCHAL, 

hardware merchant, was born in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky, 
the 3d day of February, 1827, being the eldest son of Alvah and Sarah 
(McQuary) Paschal. His father was a native of Russell County, Vir- 
ginia, born in 1801, and with his parents moved to Kentucky in 1804. 1'. 
M.'s mother was a native of Wilkes County, North Carolina, born in 1802. 
She moved to Kentucky in 1812. They were married in March, 1826. 
The father died in April, 1854, his wife in 1877. " Pleas," as he is famil- 
ially called, spent his boyhood days and received his education in his 
native state. Early in life he was engaged in the ship timber business, 
but in the course of a few years, by his energetic business qualities and 
industry and good management, he secured a competency to embark in 
the horse and mule trade, purchasing animals in Kentucky and taking 
them to Mississippi and Louisiana. These he disposed of to planters. 
Being an active worker and square dealer, he soon ranked among the 
foremost in the business. In 1864 he purchased a tract of land in Holt 
County, Missouri, consisting of 200 acres, and in 1865 closed out his 
entire interest in Kentucky and settled on his farm in Missouri, devoting 
his time to improving land and stock raising. November 1, 1875, he 
disposed of all personal property and spent the year 1876 in settling up 
outstanding business. January 1, 1877, ne associated himself with John 
W. McQuary, of Graham, Nodaway Count}-, Missouri, as a hardware 
merchant. The following year, in October, 1878, his partner died. Mr. 
Paschal settled up the estate and purchased the interest of his late part- 
ner, and continued the business as sole proprietor till April, 1880, when 
he took in John S. Spencer as junior partner. His landed estate consists 
of some 918 acres of finely improved property, situated in Holt, Nodaway, 
Andrew and DeKalb Counties. At the outbreak of the rebellion Mr. P. 
was in the capital of North Carolina, and was at Raleigh the night of its 
capture, but soon finding things rather warm, he returned to his native 
state. He is cautious, firm in purpose, and strictly honest in all busi- 
ness transactions. To his excellent business qualifications is the estab- 
ment largely due for its remarkable financial success. In business cir- 
cles he stands high for his unswerving integrity and 'stability. 

ROLLIN C. M. POND, 

tanner, section 31, was born in Addison County, Vermont, January 17, 
[832, and is the son of Munson and Lucy (Pangborn) Pond. His father 
was a native of Woodberry, Connecticut, born May 27, 17X7, and with 
his parents he moved to Vermont in 1792, and died March 21, [873. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 1025 

Rollin's mother was from New York, born December 31, 1792. She died 
July 31, 1852. They were married in December, 1812, and then settled 
in Addison County, Vermont. Rollin spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in his native state, and at the age of twenty-one 
years he went to Dane County, Wisconsin, and afterwards to Rock 
County, devoting his time to farming till 1862. He then enlisted in 
Company F, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, as a private, 
and participated in the battles of Cold Water, Tennessee, siege of Vicks- 
burg, Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the General Banks expedition up 
the Red River, and afterwards at Guntown, Mississippi ; Nashville, 
Tennessee, and Mobile, Alabama. He was mustered out at Vicksburg, 
and was discharged at Madison, Wisconsin, September 15, 1S65, holding 
at the time the position of sergeant major. He came to Nodaway 
County, Missouri, and purchased his present farm in the fall of [869, and 
he has made valuable improvements. 

ISAAC REAKSECKER, 

farmer, section 5, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, October 9, 1849, 
and is the son of Frederick and Cristena (King) Reaksecker. The 
former was born in January, 18 12, and came to America with his parents 
in 181 5, settling in Monroe County, Ohio, on a farm. Isaac's mother, a 
native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1822. They were married in 1839, 
and afterwards located at Wheeling, West Virginia. In 1842 they 
moved to Monroe County, Ohio, and in 1858, to Harrison County, Mis- 
souri, some six miles northeast of Bethany. Isaac spent his boyhood 
days in Harrison County, Missouri, and received a good education. He 
devoted his time to farming, and in 1869 returned to his native place. 
In the fall of 1871 he took a trip through Kansas, Idaho Territory, and 
Nebraska, and during the fall of 1876, visited the Centennial at Phila- 
delphia. After coming to Nodaway County, Missouri, he purchased his 
present farm, consisting of 200 acres of well improved land. He is a 
member of the Missionary Baptist Church. 

JAMES REESE, 

farmer, section II, was born in Montgomery County, New York, Decem- 
ber 1, 1837, and is a son of John and Emaline (Beakman) Reese, who 
were natives of the same county. The former was born in 1799, and 
died in 1843. The mother died in 1862. After having been married, 
they settled in Montgomery County, New York, on a farm, and in 1840 
moved to St. Eawrence County. James spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in St. Lawrence County, New York. He was 
married October 26, 1858, to Miss Charlotte Goden, a native of St. Law- 



1026 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

rence County, New York, born June 16, 1838. Her parents were Charles 
and Emily (Simons) Goden. Her father was a native of Lewis County, 
New York, born in 181 1, and died in 1866. Her mother was born in St. 
Lawrence County, New York, in 18 12, and died in 1877. They were 
married in 1829, and afterwards located in St. Lawrence County, New 
York, on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Reese settled in St. Lawrence County 
on a farm, and in 1870 sold out and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, 
and purchased some 245 acres of land. He now owns 617 acres of well 
improved land, all gained from his own industry. They have six chil- 
dren living: Lansing J., Charles, Rhugene, Wilbert, Willis and Leona, 
They have lost two, Alice and Eveline. 

O. ROBERTS. 

freight agent and telegraph operator of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & 
Council Bluffs Railway, at Skidmore, is a native of Andrew County, Mis- 
souri, and was born March I, 1856. He is a son of O. and Elizabeth 
Roberts, who were natives of Frankfort, Kentucky. They spent their 
youthful days and received excellent educations there. The father was 
born January 26, 18 15. The mother was a daughter of Reverend R. S. 
Edwards, a Baptist minister. Alter their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rob- 
erts settled in Andrew County, Missouri, in 1843, about eight miles west 
of Savannah, and later located in Amazonia. Here the father died in 
January, 1873. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days and 
received his education in his native county, and began learning railway 
and telegraphy when at the age of twenty, at Amazonia. After being 
in the office about one year, he entered the office at Craig, Holt County, 
in the fall of 1879, as assistant. In November, 1881, he was sent to 
Waldron Station, thence to Fairfax, and in January, 1882, he took charge 
of the office at Skidmore. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging 
to Lodge No. 286. 

STRATFORD SAUNDERS, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 34, is native of New Kent County, Vir- 
ginia, and was born October 17, 1842. His parents were James and 
Elizabeth Saunders. The father was also born in that county, on the 
23d of January, 1795, and died in 1879. The mother was a native of 
Louisa County, Virginia, born March 26, 1800. She now resides with 
her children. They were married January 29, 1818, and settled in New 
Kent County, Kentucky, moving to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1846, 
and settled in White Cloud Township. Stratford came here with his 
parents, and spent his boyhood days and received his education in this 
vicinity. On the 10th clay of August, 1864, he enlisted in the Forty- 
third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at St. Louis 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. 102J 

July 2, 1865. Returning to Nodaway County, he devoted his time to 
farming. Mr. S. married, August 10, 1865, Miss Araminta Lawson, a 
daughter of James and Julia A. (Spaulding) Lawson. Her father is a 
native of Sciota County, Ohio, born July 28, 1809. Her mother was 
born in Virginia, in June, 181 1. They were married August 1, 1830. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stratford Saunders have a family consisting of five children 
living: William H., born May 21, 1869; James C, born January II, 
1875 ; Gertrude, born January 22, 1877; Mary, born December 25, 1879; 
Cecil, born December 15, 188 1. They lost one, John S., born April 8, 
1872, and died November 8, 1876. They are both members of the M. 
E. Church. 

M. SKIDMORE, 

farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Randolph County, and was born 
on the 25th of May, 1825. His father was born in Randolph County, 
Virginia, in 1787, and died in 1863. His mother was a native of the 
same county, born in 1795, and died in 1849. They were married in 18 16. 
The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood days and received his 
education in his native county, and in 1846 he started out in the world 
for himself, following boating on the Ohio. In 1848 he entered the 
employ of William Jessup, in Hamilton County, Ohio. This gentleman 
took a great interest in Mr. S., and encouraged him in all his- undertak- 
ings. He was married in June, 1849, to Miss Mary J. Jessup, who was 
born in 1834. She died in March, 1857. By this union there were three 
children: George, born in 1850, died in 1872; Samuel, born in 1864. and 
W. J. born in 1857. In 1852 Mr. Skidmore associated himself with one 
P. D. Clark, and fitted out a train starting from Leavenworth, Kansas. 
They left the old trail at Carson City and made a new one to Walker's 
River. Disposing of the wagons and teams, he devoted his time to 
freighting, and in the winter of 1852 returned to Ohio by the way of San 
Francisco and New York. He resumed farming till 1864, when he sold 
out and came to Nodaway County, Missouri, purchasing some 700 acres 
of land for cash. He here began the life of a western farmer, and by 
additional purchases, now owns about 1,000 acres of fine land, all 
improved. His home is a comfortable one. He also has a fine bank 
barn, 40x50 feet, with necessary outbuildings. Mr. S. was married the 
second time in June, 1858, to Miss Rebecca Adams, a native of New 
Jersey, born November 16, 1836. She was the second child and eldest 
daughter of Nathan and Mary (Lippencott) Adams. Her father was 
born March 10, 1809, and died in May, 1852. Her mother was born in 
183 1. Mrs. S. moved to Ohio with her parents, and settled in Cincin- 
nati in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore have had six children: James, 
born April 3, 1866; Ella, born June 2, 1870; Jennie, born January 4, 1872. 
They have lost three: Angeline, born November 14, 1858, died October 



1028 BIOGRAPHICA] . 

31, 1865; Emma, born August 17, i860, died November 2, 1865, and 
Flora, born February 18, 1862, died November 3, 1865. Mr. S. is a 
Mason in good standing, belonging to Snow Lodge No. 196, of Hamil- 
ton County, Ohio. 

WILLIAM V. SMITH, 

farmer and stock raiser, section 3, is a native of Bedford County, Ten- 
nessee, and was born August 25, 1819. His father was a native of Vir- 
ginia, and his mother of North Carolina. They were married in 1817, 
and then settled in Bedford County, Kentucky. William, with his parents, 
moved to Clinton County, Missouri, in 1828, and settled on a farm two 
miles west of Hainesville. His father was one of the first county judges, 
and represented the county in the ^gislature in 1833-4. The family 
moved to the Kickapoo Reservation in 1835, and in the spring of 1837 
settled in the Platte Purchase on Sugar Creek. Here his parents died. 
William Smith was married on the 7th of February, 1839, to Miss Jane 
L. Holt, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Rainey) Holt She 
was a native of Orange County, North Carolina, and was born January 
16, 1820. When she was two years old her mother died. In 1837 she 
went with a brother to Clay County, Missouri. Her father died in 1867. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled on the old homestead in Clinton County, 
Missouri, and lived there till 1842, when they moved to Andrew County, 
Missouri, locating seven miles west of Savannah. In 1847 he settled in 
Nodaway County. His farm contains 412 acres of good land. Their 
family consists of : Michael H., Louis B., John W., Sarah C, Willard P. 
and Sterling P., living, and the following deceased : William R., ari 
infant, James C, Shelby C. and Elizabeth. In October, 1854, Mr. Smith 
was elected county judge, and in i860 was re-elected for four years. He 
is a Mason in good standing. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. 
Church, South. 

CHARLES L. SPEAR, 

grain dealer, was born in Bureau County, Illinois, on the 12th day of 
September, 1852, and is the son of Charles W. and Louisa (Foot) Spear. 
His father was a native of La Porte County, Indiana. Charles spent his 
boyhood days and received his education in his native state, and for two 
years attended the high school at Princeton, Illinois. He removed with 
his parents to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1873, and settled at Hop- 
kins, and thence to Burlington Junction in 1879, where he was engaged 
in the grain trade. He came to Skidmore in the fall of 1880, ami dur- 
ing the p.ist year has handled some fifty thousand dollars' worth of 
grain. He is a man of strong, sharp intellect, an untiring ambition, and 
is very successful in business transactions. 



MONROE TOWNSHIP. . IO29 

JOSEPH T. VAN ANSDALL, 

carpenter, is a native of Dearborn County, Indiana, born June 2, 1849, and 
is the son of Isaac and Rachael (Bunnell) Van Ansdall. Joseph, with his 
parents, moved to Wapello County, Iowa, in 1855, an -d to Hamilton 
County, Ohio, in 1857. In 1859 he commenced working at his trade, 
and in 1870 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled east of 
Skidmore. He received the appointment of postmaster in 1875, and 
resigned in favor of H. H. Joy, the present postmaster of Skidmore, in 
1880. He was married November 10, 1870, to Miss Louisa K. Williams. 
She was born August 30, 1848. They have four children : Harry A., 
Rupert, Gertrude, and Ruthilla. Both Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

W. R. WELLS, 

farmer and cattle feeder, section 8, is a native of Huron County, Canada, 
was born June 4, 1841, and is the son of Thomas and Ann J. (Thompson) 
Wells. His father was a native of County Down, Ireland, and was born 
in 1808, and died in 1878. His mother, a native of County Armaugh, 
Ireland, was born in 1808. They were married in 1830, and immigrated 
to Canada in 1832, settling on a farm in Huron County. They were 
pioneers of that county. VV. R.'s mother is still a resident of Huron 
County. Young Wells spent his boyhood days and received his educa- 
tion in that county, and remained with his parents till 1868, when he 
came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and purchased some 430 acres of 
wild land. He made many improvements, and now owns 600 acres of 
land, about nine miles southwest of Maryville. He was married August 
30, 1881, to Miss Maria Johnson, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born 
April 10, 1857. She was the daughter of Alexander and Lavinia (Shull) 
Johnson. The former was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born in 
1826, and died in 1874. Her mother was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
in February, 1824. She is still living. They were married in 1849, and 
afterwards settled in Jefferson County. Mr. and Mrs. Wells settled in 
Nodaway County, Missouri, after their marriage. Mr. Wells is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. W. of the M. E. Church. 

THOMAS WELLS, 

farmer and breeder of Clydesdale horses, section 31, is a native of Huron 
County, Canada, was born July 31., 185 1, and is a son of Thomas and A. 
J. (Thompson) Wells. The former, a native of County Down, Ireland, 
was born in 1808, and died October 23, 1878. His mother was born in 
County Armaugh, Ireland, in 1808. They married in 1830, and emi- 
grated to Huron County, Canada, in 1832, and settled on a farm. The 



IO30 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

senior Wells died, but his wife still lives at the old homestead. The 
subject of this sketch passed his youthful days and received his educa- 
tion in his native county. He was married October n, 1875, to Miss 
Maggie E. Scott, a native of Huron County, Canada, born January 31, 
185 1. She is a daughter of Robert and Agnes (Dixon) Wells. Her father 
was a native of Roxboro, Scotland, born in October, 18 12. Her mother 
was born in the same place, May 24, 18 15. With their parents they emi- 
grated to Huron County, Canada, in 1833. They were married Decem- 
ber 3, 1836, and settled in Nickillop, Huron County, Canada. The father 
still resides at the old homestead. The mother died October 26, 1880. 
Mrs. Wells spent' her younger days in her native county, and graduated 
at the normal school at Toronto, Canada, in July, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wells came to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled near where they 
now reside, about nine miles southwest of Maryville. The farm con- 
sists of 186 acres of improved land. They are both members of the 
Presbyterian Church. They have three children : William, born Decem- 
ber 25, 1876; Agnes, born December 31, 1879, and Jennie M., born 
December 1, 1881. 



■*• 



fe— Sf*!S— gr 



MA1TLAND. 



W. E. BURTCH, M. D., 

was born in Oxford County, Canada, in 1842. He completed his educa- 
tion at the University at Toronto, from which institution he was grad- 
uated in 1859. He studied medicine in Woodstock, Canada, with Dr. 
Fred. Scott, who, -since that time, has been a surgeon in the United 
States Army. After two thorough courses of lectures at the Michigan 
University, Ann Arbor, Dr. Burtch graduated, in 1866. He settled in 
Fillmore, Andrew County, Missouri, in 1866, and lived there six years. 
He has had a large practice in Andrew, Holt and Nodaway Counties,, 
and, in October, 1881, he located at Maitland, Holt County, where he 
has settled permanently. 

J. J. MOULTON, 

publisher and proprietor of the Maitland Independent, is a native of 
Tazwell County, Illinois, and was born on a farm four miles east of Fort 
Clark, now Peoria, on the 15th day of August, 1833. He spent his 



MAITLAND. IO31 

younger days in assisting his father on the farm, devoting his evenings to 
study. When eighteen years of age he purchased an outfit and followed 
prairie breaking with an ox-team until he was twenty-two years old. 
In 1855 he entered a college in his native county, prosecuting his studies 
for some four years. In 1861 he responded to his country's call, and 
enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was 
on guard duty at Bird's Point. He was discharged the following August. 
On the 2d of the same month Mr. Moulton re-enlisted in the Sixteenth 
United States Infantry, receiving his discharge on the 2d of October, 
1864. He then returned to Illinois and engaged in teaching school till 
the fall of 1867, when he moved to Atchison County, Missouri, settling 
on a farm. In 1878 he purchased the Riverton Enterprise. After a few 
months he moved to .Clarinda, Iowa, and established the Nodaway 
Chief. In February,' 1881, he sold out and moved to Maitland, Holt 
County, Missouri, where he has since continued to publish an inter- 
esting, spicy and instructive paper. Mr-. Moulton was married April 
20, 1865, to Miss Roxie A. Mette, a native of Wood County, Illinois. 
She was born in 1844. They have one child : Ernest, born October 
12, 1866. 

E. R. PRATT, 

liveryman, is a native of Ontario County, New York, and was born on 
the 9th day of April, 1844. He spent his boyhood days and received a 
good common school education in his native county. He enlisted on 
the 28th day of July, 1862, in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty- 
sixth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry. He was taken prisoner 
at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, was paroled and sent to Camp Douglas, at 
Chicago, Illinois, where he was exchanged after some two months. He 
then joined his regiment at Culpeper Court House, Virginia, and was 
discharged in February, 1863, at Convalescent Camp, Virginia. He 
re-enlisted on the 31st day of January, 1864, in Company E, Fourth New 
York Volunteer Artillery, and was with General Grant through the 
Wilderness and at the surrender of General Lee on the 9th day of 
April, 1865. Mr. Pratt was discharged June 22, 1865, after which he 
returned to his native place, and in the following November went to 
Denver, Colorado, and engaged in farming and freighting. In Septem- 
ber, 1874, he arrived in Nodaway County, Missouri, with a drove of Col- 
orado cattle, and settled in Graham, purchasing some stock and a stable. 
Thus he began the livery business, and in September, 188 r, he pur- 
chased a stable in Maitland, and associated with him William B. Bohart. 
They are now known under the firm name of Pratt & Bohart. He was 
married in 1875 to Miss Ellen McRoberts, a native of Marion County, 
Indiana. They have two children, Clifton B. and Edward B. 



IO32 BIOGRAPHICAL. 

R. I. REA, 

attorney, is a native of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and was born 
on the jd of September, 1843, near Newcastle. In later years, with his 
parents, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled on a farm 
in section 2j, that is now owned by Lewis Andrews. The journey here 
was long and tedious, coming by steamboat to St. Louis, then shipping 
on the boat " Kansas" for what is now St. Joseph, it being late in the 
fall. When they arrived at Weston, by the pure meanness on the part 
of the captain, they were made to land, and were obliged to go by wagon 
to St. Joseph. There Mr. Rea remained some three months, and then 
moved to Nodaway County, locating three miles south of Graham. Here 
the subject of this sketch received a good education, attending the 
Highland University of Kansas in 1859-60. He responded to his coun- 
try's call for troops during the war, by enlisting in the Sixth Missouri, 
on the 16th day of October, 1861. He was discharged in May, 1862, and 
re-enlisted in the same year in the Thirteenth Kansas Volunteer Infan- 
try, being mustered out on July 28, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kansas. Hav- 
ing prepared himself for the legal profession, he was admitted to the bar 
in August, 1879, and began the practice of law at Maitland, in 1880. His 
honest}- as a man and his ability as an attorney, are of the highest order. 
Mr. Rea was married on the 16th day of October, 1867, to Miss Belle 
McRoberts, a native of Marion County, Indiana. Their family consists 
of two children, Eddie and Maud. 

JAMES C. SMOCK, 

of the firm of Smock, Owens & Co., dealers in groceries, queensware, etc., 
is a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, born July 13, 1861, and is the 
son of Henry and Sarah (Linville) Smock. His father was a native of 
Bartholomew Count)-, Indiana, and his mother of Missouri. His father 
died in 1863, and his mother in 1868. From this date he made his home 
with relatives in Nodaway Count}-, receiving a good common school edu- 
cation. In 1876 he commenced his mercantile experience in the employ 
of G. D. Mowry, at Graham, and soon after with M. M. Dougherty, and 
the next year with Baublits, Snyder & Co., for two years. In Septem- 
ber, 1880, he was with S. S. Dougherty for one year, next in the employ 
of the Home Insurance Company, and in October, i88l, associated him- 
self with Isaac Owens in the grocery business at Maitland. Being 
deprived of a father's and mother's care in youth, he has profited by the 
advice and counsel of those older than himself, and in whatever position 
he has been placed, lie has proven himself a straightforward and relia- 
ble business man. 



MA IT I, AND. IO33 

JOSEPH R. STONE, 

dealer in harness, saddles, trunks, valises, is a native of Atchison 
County, Missouri, was born January 30, 1859, an< ^ is a son of J. R. and 
M. S. (White) Stone, who settled in Atchison County, Missouri, in 1857. 
Joseph, with his parents, moved to Worth County, Missouri, in i860, 
and remained till 1864, when he went to St. Joseph, and lived there 
till 1865. Thence to Plattsville, Iowa, and, in 1866, he located at 
Graham. Here his father carried on the harness and saddle business 
till 1879, when he moved to Burlington Junction. Joseph received a 
good education at Graham, and, when but a boy, began working at the 
harness business, and, after his father's removal, he opened a shop in 
Graham, and did a good business. November 10, 1880, he came to 
Maitland, and now commands a large trade. Miss Lydia Eberlin became 
his wife. She is a native of Wisconsin, born the 7th of August, 1861, 
and is the daughter of Thiebant and Mary E. (Hamm) Eberlin. Her 
father is a native of Germany, born October 14, 1826. Her mother was 
born in France, October 15, 1825. They were married April 25, 1853. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stone settled at Maitland after their marriage. Mr. Stone 
is a member of Hesperian Lodge No. 189, I. O. O. F., also of Lodge No. 
202, A. O. U. W. 



mg^s 



ADDENDUM-CITY OF MARYVILLE. 

MRS. E. P. POWELL. 

(PREPARED BY HON. LAFE. DAWSON.) 

An attempted historical review of the public schools of Maryville, 
would be incomplete without at least a brief review of the services of 
perhaps one of the most accomplished and thorough female instructors, 
that ever participated in imparting knowledge to Maryville young peo- 
ple. In the year 1876, the educational interests of Maryville had reached 
a crisis. Competent teachers were in demand. The question was, shall 
teacher and pupil be fettered by the old systems ? Shall the systems of 
antiquity continue to be instilled into the juvenile mind, as the exclu- 
sive models of excellency ? Professor Charles, then in charge, favored 



1034 ADDENDUM. 

a new departure. Who should be his assistants in the new enterprise ? 
Among others, he wisely selected Mrs. E. I'. Powell, who was his most 
trusted advisor. They condemned the old theory as cold and narrow, 
and opposed alike to the true interests of literature and progress. 
Together they pointed out and held to .view the vast changes in thought, 
habits and manners, in morality and religion, which separated the pres- 
ent age from former ages. In other words, that to follow exclusively 
and blindly in the footsteps of ancient authors and aged systems, 
was to repress all originality and creative power ; that the mind 
should enjoy freedom, which was necessary to its development. 
The new departure was determined upon, and Mrs. Powell took charge 
of the third department, where she continued for two years, giving 
universal satisfaction. On account of her superior literary entertain- 
ments and proficiency she was then promoted to the position of assistant 
principal, which position she held and enriched with her mature learning 
and fidelity until, as a matter of her own choice, she declined to longer 
occupy. Mrs. Powell's maiden name was Scylla Cartright. She was born 
in the State of New Jersey, in the year 1849. Her early education began 
at Matamoras, Pennsylvania. She was afterwards a close student at Fre- 
mont, Indiana, and in 1864, graduated at the head of her class at the college 
of Calva, Illinois, under the supervision of that distinguished educator and 
scholar, S. M. Etter. Not satisfied with her acquirements then so ample, 
she, in 1865, studied and mastered the Pestilozzian system of imparting 
knowledge to her pupils, the utility of which had been demonstrated by 
the most distinguished educators of Switzerland. This method she 
adopted and pursued with marked success for nearly three years in 
the states of Indiana and Illinois. In 1868, she was united in marriage 
with Mr. E. P. Powell, one of Nodaway's most prominent stock shippers. 
In 1869, she, with her husband, came to Nodaway County, where they 
have since resided. As a teacher Mrs. Powell was a rigid disciplinarian, 
yet there was a vein of kindness in her nature, a personal magnetism 
that fascinated and attached her pupils to her and inspired them with 
confidence and energy in the pursuit of their studies. Her literary 
attainments are of the highest order, her honor for mental enslavement 
is marked, her love of intellectual freedom is one of her leading charac- 
teristics, and many regrets there are that she conchided to abandon a 
profession for which she is so eminently qualified. 



s#ft@fe 



J > 



